General Motors

This is a place where you can get a stable salary with a great benefits package. There is much that a recent graduate could learn about how a business operates. There are "training" opportunities available, but not a lot of support around really providing additional "education" for employees.

This is a large corporation that is built with a number of competing silos that tend to guard their interests rather than cooperate with each other to get things done. In addition, if you are interested in moving out of the silo you are in, it can be difficult to make that transition. HR policies are set up such that your current management can block any movement or advancement without much reason and without recourse for the employee.

Although educational and growth opportunities are available, they are likewise hampered by this silo structure. I was blocked from taking part in a Masters program focused on electric vehicles (a strategic growth area for the company) since my current management in exterior design didn't view this as a strategically important education program for their group. I left to pursue this degree full time on my own.

Finally, although there is much that can be learned for someone new to the industry, there is little opportunity to really have a real impact on the business. The status quo will rule (even if it is not working), and new ideas have a hard time being heard and adopted in the company.

There needs to be an overhaul in policies that allow employees a real opportunity to move, grow, and learn within the company.

Power is given to direct managers, and those in higher management positions appear uninterested in dealing with such employee conflicts.