Pros
The education and opportunity to apply new information and knowledge is only limited by you. Pay is comparable for similar large organizations, sometimes politics plays a larger role, but to be expected when you work for such a large organization. Hard work is the key, understanding the policies and procedures and navagating them to your best ability. Unfortunately not all opportunities are in the locations you want, your priorities family or business will affect your growth. I always chose family over carreer, but you can balance the two with a good manager, as long as you continue to provide excellent work results. I believe in a strong work ethic and doing the most efficient things, but sometimes policies arnt as efficient as they should be. I understand in a large organization policies are developed to get the most effective results, but a little more eantrapreneur spirit creates new opportunities that are beneficial to your employer and you as a team member.
Cons
Standardized policies and procedures restrict your ability to efficiently perform your role, duties, and provide your clients with the best results. Pay should be a reflection of you ability, and results, following all the guidelines and processes can slow and hamper your growth. Your opportunities are limited by geographic locations, pay by contact pricing, and negotiated starting pay. The government contracting and work is all related to competing with other organizations that can low ball a contract, which affects the pricing of employees, as long as you have a contract and perform the required duties and perform you have job security, when the contracts end, your unemployed or redeployed in a new location. In essence you are a temp workers fulfilling a contract at a specified place and time, once the work ends you must relocate to a new contract area and position, you need to stay well rounded and keep the educational aspects of your carreer in focus with the demands of the marketplace. Accept the fact you may have to uproot your family, and depending on your marketablity and competition for placement you may have to accept a pay that does not fit with your families needs and requirements.