Pros
Good benefits Good leadership Good growth opportunities within department, although seeking positions in other departments is not an easy transition
Cons
Not much in the surrounding town unless you take a 30-45 min commute to a real city. Refer to themselves as a hybrid company, but their hybrid policy leaves much to be desired and is not very flexible, especially considering the commute and surrounding area. Managing child care is difficult. Surrounding area has limited and expensive options. Choosing one in a nearby city can cause some issues if they don’t accept children early enough. Lunch options are limited as it is a small town. Most restaurants close on Monday, one of the days we are required to be in the office. As much as I enjoy the work, having to choose between commuting or moving here is where it starts to feel like being here long term is unsustainable. Smithfield is like stepping into a separate universe from the rest of the Hampton roads area. The people chalk up the many inconveniences of a small, rural town as character when really it’s an unwillingness to change. Because of this, I can’t see myself working her long term. The commute alone invalidates work life balance for anyone with a family.