Boeing

It's a great place to work when you are ready to focus on work-life balance.

The work can be challenging, but it is never stressful. A lot of the employees here are older and are extremely focused on their family and retirement needs, which is understandable after 15+ years of work.

For a young engineer, it's great because you learn from great, experienced engineers. There is an incentive for higher learning because education is fully funded (I've taken plenty of courses and I am currently applying for a grad degree).

I think salary compensation is amongst the highest, so you don't need to worry about that. The people here are pretty incredible (I have great friends here) and well accomplished, but you won't find the entrepreneur spirit or the go-getter here.

However, it is probably not the best place for an aggressive, young go-getter who is looking for a leadership position or a highly respectable technical position at a young age. Getting a promotion is highly political and somewhat secretive. Even when assigned to highly visible projects, most young engineers play an "assistant" role. I guess they don't want to "throw you in the fire." This is not an incentive-based company, but more of a team-based company – which means no matter how hard you work, you may not receive individual compensation or recognition. However, if your team performs well, then everyone wins. Please always remember that your reputation will make or break you, which goes a long way here. I work hard to establish good relationships with people of all ages in all Boeing environments. Also, Boeing's internet and intranet presence could be updated. In the age of Facebook and Twitter, a lot of the programs feel like ancient history.

Seriously address the generation gap.

My fear is that talented, young engineers don't feel challenged on projects because the work continues to flow to the same engineers that have been there for 20+ years.

I understand that's great for productivity and processes, but let a young guy take over and learn new things.

I think the focus should be making Boeing a dynamic company for young engineers to strive with creative minds, and not for them to adapt to a retirement state of mind.