Pros
Work on the services side is extremely rewarding and consistently engaging. The job requires an expert level knowledge of the AEC industry. You will need to know how firms operate at large, to how they execute their day to day. Every service engagement will be a massive learning opportunity that allows you to continually improve your knowledge and skills. Applied Software is exceptionally generous with their resources. They allow and expect you to spend significant time on the job training up on new software tools and workflows. They also will typically cover any expenses for training materials and software that you ask for, well beyond what I have seen at any other company I have worked at. This in many ways represents an extension of the high trust environment at the company. The culture is very friendly and generally trusting of each other. There isn’t any micro-managing here. There are timesheets which are important for billing customers, but otherwise the job is fairly self-directed and day to day activities is left up to the employee. The extensive networking and skills development that you undergo here only serves to help your career. If you nail a consulting engagement with a client, there will typically be a job opportunity down the road should you ever look to jump. Applied Software knows the risk of poaching is high with its service employees and takes the refreshing approach of treating its employees remarkably well and generously compensating them in order to keep them around. Building loyalty by treating people right really goes a long way. There are a substantial number of employees that have been here for many years because of this. If you like to travel, this job also affords plenty of travel opportunities. Travel is made easy with a travel concierge service that handles all bookings and a simplified expensing program that streamlines the expensing process. Applied Software doesn’t cheap out on you either; you will stay at quality hotels and fly on non-budget airlines. Your travel experiences will typically be quite enjoyable.
Cons
Not too many complaints with Applied Software at this time. It is a high pressure, high stress environment, but this comes from the clients and not Applied Software or its managers. Most work is direct with clients, and they do expect expert level knowledge and understanding of their work and workflows. The majority of the time this is no problem, but every now and then a client can really give you grey hairs. There is a fair amount of travel is required. Depending on your situation that might be a negative feature. Finally, we are a bit overworked right now. You will probably work more than 40 hours a week, but nothing obnoxious like 50+ hours a week. My compensation does not include any bonuses for working overtime, but there is a pretty generous end of year bonus that is tied to your profitability as an employee. It should also be said that management is looking to lighten the load by expanding the team, but realistically this isn’t a job that will ever be strictly an 8-5.