Pros
- Above average compensation, with quarterly bonuses.
- Generous PTO and benefits package. I started with 3 weeks paid vacation, 5 personal days, and 5 sick days. Within two years I had 4 weeks' vacation + 5 personal days. All traditional holidays are paid time off, and oftentimes additional days are granted (Friday before Memorial Day in addition to the Monday, for example, or days between Christmas/New Year's) without deducting from my vacation time.
- Sector3 tends to hire intelligent and capable people, so the analysts I work with are interesting and engaging.
- I had no prior metals industry knowledge, and was expected to learn quickly. In my time here I've traveled to several mills, scrap facilities, foundries, forges, and other companies within the metals supply chain. Early on, travel is expected to gain an understanding of the products, but is not as significant a part of the analyst or writer role to the point where it becomes exhausting. Getting to see the inner workings of a massive steel mill is a rather impressive sight, so for the most part travel here would be a Pro.
- The company is growing quickly, and in the last few years the junior roles have changed and the on-boarding process has been revamped. Analysts are predominantly hired at an entry-level position and developed internally, with opportunities for growth. This change in structure has been largely beneficial.
- Hybrid work environment with three days a week working from home.
- The work gets progressively more interesting as you gain experience and understanding, and expectations from you grow as you develop.
- Annual summer outing, usually at a resort in Maine, Vermont, etc. for three days. These have historically been "work" outings, but are now largely R&R and a chance for everyone to interact and unwind. Significant others and dogs are welcome.
- The culture is very far from corporate, being a small company. Long-term employees know one another well, and since returning to the office a few days a week after the pandemic the newer employees are having a chance to engage with the rest of the company in person.
- Dog-friendly office.
Cons
- The hours can be long, but this is generally at the senior level. Junior analysts and associates are pretty well-insulated from working long hours or weekends. This is a deadline-driven environment, so expectations can be high as you move up. This is largely offset by the high amount of annual PTO, holidays, and the 3 work-from-home days a week.
- Expectations in general can be high, so this is not a job one can phone in. If you're driven, curious, and reasonably intelligent you'll do well here, but if you want a job you can coast in this is not the place for you.