Track Engineer (Graduate) • Current Employee
Pros: Great benefits: medical, vision, dental, 401k, PTO, paid holidays, and flexibility in schedule depending on the job.
The Vehicle Engineering TRACK program enables you to experience different areas of the company without committing to a single department/position for 2 years.
Cons: Overall, not a great environment to work in. The Vehicle Engineering TRACK program has changed so rotations are only ~6 months, which does not allow you to be part of any meaningful projects. Depending on the group you are in, you are treated more like a student/intern, but as an entry-level recent college graduate, you are required to do the 2-year program first.
Expectations from upper management are to work around the clock, even though they say they are all about work-life balance. If you want to perform well, you have to work at least 50-60 hours per week. Plus, managers move around every 2-3 years, so there is very little consistency or support for the people on the bottom. Also, many people become managers who significantly lack leadership, communication, or people skills.
There is minimal diversity in the company, despite all the publicity that GM is diverse. Don't expect a warm welcome if you are a POC or LGBT+, especially if you work with or in manufacturing.
Promotions seem to be related to who you know, not how much good quality work you do. Similarly, if you are a slacker, you can get by for years without being fired.
During my few years there, I experienced layoffs and UAW strikes, and was told by multiple old-timers that this is typical and expected every few years.