Extraordinarily challenging, yet rewarding, work environment where we are able to help U.S. companies succeed.
Pros
This organization allows one to learn from some of the best international, business and policy experts in the nation while also help U.S. companies do business in the global marketplace in order to increase job growth at home. In addition, to the work we do directly supports the President on the National Export Initiative to double U.S. exports by 2014. This is historic in terms of prioritization of national policies, and ITA plays a key role in shaping and executing this effort.
Cons
The organization has suffered from stagnation in thinking over the last 20 years in terms of providing outside-the-box solutions to assisting U.S. companies in the global marketplace. In addition, it has perennially suffered from low satisfaction rates as a place to work in the federal government according to Employee Viewpoint Surveys. The organization could do better in terms of providing employees a way critically to engage leadership, and I believe it will in the coming years.