Vantaggi
This is great place to start an engineering career if you are interested in mining, civil, or energy. There is a decent focus on professional development, although this may depend on your particular boss. The company has a strong core of senior and middle level managers who are very experienced and technically astute. Many are global leaders or pioneers in a particular field. Things are done professionally and in an orderly fashion. There is strong company loyalty among the more senior personnel, which is no doubt fostered by the associate system (employee ownership). There is an excellent company pension plan.
Svantaggi
Entry-level pay is average, and the structured salary increases may come slower than some over-achieving types would like. Tends to be a lot of red tape and paperwork to accomplish simple tasks. Certain managers may be allowed to somewhat autocratically run their groups because of the experience and connections they possess. Depending upon the group/situation that you find yourself located within, there may be limited opportunities for upward mobility. It can be fairly easy to get pigeonholed into a particular type of technology-focused role. Conversely you may find yourself floating with no direction within the PDG ranks.