Vantaggi
It is important to know that GEICO prides itself on its stability -- there are no layoffs; it is difficult to be fired (except for egregious cases of misconduct); and growth is virtually guaranteed. It is a privately held company that is part of the $400 billion empire managed by Warren Buffett. Buffett's conglomerate (quite famously) grew into its enormous size by rejecting the newest ideas, and investing in the undervalued, the stable, and the mundane opportunities.
Svantaggi
This is general advice for those looking to be part of GEICO's Underwriting Research & Control (URC) department. The URC labels itself as the most innovative, research-oriented, forward-looking business unit of GEICO, and will recruit from mathematics, statistics, and physical science programs in the area. However, once in the door, you may feel a little led on, as if you were promised one thing and given another. If you pride yourself on your academic and professional achievements -- whatever your background -- the projects assigned to URC analysts will come off as a mockery of your years of hard work and abilities. I went to Yale -- and not to be a snob -- but if you are highly motivated and well educated, this job is beneath you. You will not be given the opportunity to innovate. You will, however, be given a metaphorical box within which you are spoon-fed ideas pitched by senior management, to which you are asked to give assent. All the brainstorming happens above your level as an analyst and you end up merely a rubber stamp. I asked for a challenge and I did not receive it. But, I cannot assign personal blame, because this is very the foundation of GEICO: invest only in what works and remain stable (see "Pros" section). Whatever URC believes itself to be, GEICO will always reject the newest innovation in favor of mundane safety. Your skill set will waste away here.