Job Title: Application programmer
Location: Houston, TX
Submitted on: 31-Mar-04
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Job Title |
Workplace
Survey |
| Application programmer |
This company is very intent upon hiring CHEAP programmers; they pay
badly; it is VERY conservative -- they like to think they are IBM in
their bad, old days. They do have a business casual dress code, but you
have to wear a company logo polo shirt to use it. And you must purchase
the shirts yourself. However, to get ahead you better wear a blue suit
and not be a woman. Diversity basically does not exist. The women that
are programmer are generally relegated to the obsolete technologies,
while the men get the best positions and opportunities.
There are lots of company functions -- you need to attend them to do
well. They track phone usage and put you on a phone abusers list if you
use the phone more than five minutes a day. Opportunities for
advancement are good since turnover is high. However, it would take
about 4 years to get your salary to a market competitive level. From my
understanding they don't give increases when you are promoted, so what
is the point?!!!!
The benefits are that you get your own office if you are a programmer,
no matter what. You do get about 3 month's worth of training. The
training is pretty basic so unless you don't have much background (this
means no education or courses in programming) you will be pretty bored.
My first salary increase was about 6-7% which is high. You can get an
increase every six months.
There are many activities you may (must) participate in. They have
basketball, softball, and golf leagues.
Most of the employees are young and fairly uneducated. Most do not have
a college degree. The maturity level is low. Most lunch conversation
revolves around "The Man Show". However, if you do not each lunch with
colleagues you will be marked down in your review.
I would call the company a watchdog environment. You cannot have access
to the internet unless you work on web applications. This means that if
you want to use the internet for research, you cannot!!!
The company has flex time. You can come in as early as 7 and as late as
10. These hours need to be consistent. Management is very flexible about
hours, though and you can make up time if you have a doctor's
appointment.
You don't get vacation for one full year. However, most managers are
willing to accomodate you and let you take time off before then. I was
even given time off with pay as a special bonus when I asked for it.
When you quit, don't give two week's notice. They will escort you out on
the day you resign. It's best to have another job lined up immeadiately.
The company environment is sometimes demeaning. For example: they had a
weight loss program they called the "Bubba contest". Some people might
think this is funny; I did not. (And I am underweight, not overweight!)
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