Vantaggi
- SAOTA has some of the best learning materials. Their online system makes it easy for anyone looking for specific information to look up and find. Its resources make it easy to improve one's skills and knowledge. You will leave the firm feeling more confident in the design stages. - Fully remote! - They challenge you design-wise, ultimately improving your design lens.
Svantaggi
Where do I even begin... - Unrealistic expectations: Sometimes (or most times) supervisors and directors expect work to be done, not considering how long tasks take. The only thing that matters is that its done at stipulated. - Always on edge: There is no downtime! You are always working at full steam, giving out 100% throughout the days and weeks. Generally, I believe in your whole day, you should give about 75% of your energy to your work and 25% to your family, gym, or anything you do after work. SAOTA expects 100%, consuming all your energy leading to literally no energy by the end of the day. This usually leads to burning out. - Overtime: Overtime is expected a lot. Strict rules when it comes to overtime. Burnout is inevitable. - Your design voice: No design autonomy. You follow everything directors/supervisors say without questioning their authority. You're seen as the weird one if you question any design idea by the director/supervisor. Most likely you will not be making any design decisions. - Indistinguishable roles: You working as a junior vs you working as a senior has no difference. You're both treated the same, do the same work, and take the same nonsense from directors. -Average pay. No benefits. - Complaints aren't taken seriously. Directors don't take action over the high turnover rate or the complaints. People complain about the same thing every year but nothing changes. - You are a replaceable machine.