Pros
When I first encountered the team, it was strong and supportive. Unfortunately, that environment changed significantly by the time I returned full-time.
Cons
I was recruited personally by senior VPs early in my career. It was highly attractive at the time, and I didn’t know any better. I unknowingly walked into a shark tank filled with double-faced senior employees and middle managers. A deep policy war had been raging long before I even started. My initial manager (Manager A) was in a fast-track leadership program, and due to her schedule, she was not able to provide much direct training — but I don't blame her; I respect her as a manager. Manager B appeared very welcoming at first, and I genuinely liked her. I sometimes approached her for training and guidance when we had projects together. Unfortunately, Manager B turned out to be a very double-faced person. After Manager A transitioned to another department, I had to report directly to Manager B. Although Manager B had previously told both me and the VP that she was very impressed with my work, she later called HR into her office and tried to make me state that Manager A had never properly trained me. I refused to do so in front of HR, even though I knew refusing would later cost me. After that, Manager B suffocated my career growth, using HR as a tool to build a false narrative against me. Manager B and one senior employee, who was extremely toxic, teamed up to trigger HR and Ethics Line complaints as part of their internal political games. The senior employee was the worst person I have ever met in my entire life — a true actor who could switch faces depending on who was watching. Both Manager B and the senior were jealous of Manager A’s rapid career advancement — and neither of them liked the VP who had promoted Manager A and also brought me into the company. Their resentment fueled the political warfare that ultimately damaged anyone perceived as aligned with the VP’s leadership decisions. New employees like me became unintentional collateral damage. Manager A is still with the company and continues to do well. Manager B was eventually transitioned into a role unrelated to her professional background, and the senior employee also left the organization. Over time, the company ended up cleaning house across much of the department. It created a disorganized, toxic environment where talent was overlooked and only recognized after people left. Final Note: New graduates deserve better than to be caught in internal power struggles.