Pros
I came into the job position as a greenhorn graphic designer, thinking that the grass is really greener on the other side. Little to my knowledge, the grass is greener, because its been fertilized with manure. Nonetheless, as a junior graphic designer, I knew enough to be a desirable candidate for the job, but not enough to earn the market value of a full fledge graphic designer. Over time I was lucky enough to work with professionals in the automotive and powersport aftermarket industry, and this work experience is priceless. I was also given the chance and opportunity to polish my photography abilities by championing the product photography and attending racing events with media credentials on the behalf of K&N. All grueling work but necessary in the endeavor to polish my craft and to capture my own content. For 6 years at K&N, let's call that my apprenticeship, I mastered Print, Packaging, catalogs, and digital photography, however as technology changes, I had quickly learned the value of being adaptive. And again without hesitation I took on yet another role that would benefit me in the future, and that was the role of 3D modeling and Rendering. As the lowly graphic designer and product photographer who serviced 4 different Brands under K&N, I must say that I'm now a journeyman and a force to be reckoned with, Print Design is no longer a core focus as it should of never been, but I leave K&N with a wealth of knowledge, abilities and experience in the automotive and powersport industry.
Cons
Raises are far and few between, but once in a while you are thrown a bone to scrap over with your counterparts, which by the way is a terrible form of pay increase, and only it creates animosities with co-workers, and as the hourly employees struggle and fight over what little pay increases happen every year, I've seen unfit employees earn a huge pay increase just by be-friending and siding with the correct upper manager and that leaves those like myself who persevere in a honorable manner frustrated and confused. Should we just lie, steal and cheat our way to the podium, because that seems like is the only method to earn a promotion and pay increase. I may be naïve, but I have honor and will not bring myself to commit such an atrocity amongst my peers. And did I mention that Goldman Sachs had own K&N and its brands since 2015, under the ironclad rule of such a despicable financial bank. I will not ever trust the leadership and decisions of Goldman Sachs and as they bend and manipulate upper management to do their bidding.