Pros: Market or better pay, good benefits, and open-feeling office space. Lavish Christmas parties and more fun company events than most. A "nice" place to work where nobody is allowed to look too scruffy. You can't wear jeans or baseball caps or certain items of clothing. You can feel the money. If you are interested in understanding how big brokerage companies like Fidelity manage to keep track of it all, you would like it. You usually feel engaged. There is a lot of software development, so it's not always legacy applications if you work in technology. Generally, you will be thanked for your work and told you are doing well (unless you suck at your job). There are lots of kitchens scattered around, and there is lots of free food there, often leftover from being served in meetings. Whenever you have to work nights, you often get to order out free food. It's a cube farm, no way around it. Cube walls are not too low, but not as high as other places.

Cons: You have to work hard there, sometimes nights and weekends. There is a bit of a workaholic culture there, sometimes for extended periods for a big, important project. The job security tends to wander with the market. When it's up, you're okay. If the economy is really bad, watch out. Sometimes people seem a little mean, like they don't screen for it very well in employees. You always have a long walk from the parking lot. Much better to be a contractor so you don't have to work extra hours as much.

Pros: Great company to work at. Teams are supportive and make sure interns succeed.

Cons: Location preferences become limited, especially in Boston.

Pros: A lot of learning literature, opportunity to network, best compensation, and great retirement benefits.

Cons: Complex technical environment, poor work/life balance, and senior management's lack of compassion for employees.