Pros
Early work hours: A 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. schedule allows for a decent work-life balance if overtime isn’t required. Exposure to diverse projects: Working in a small company meant touching multiple areas of a project, offering hands-on experience and skill growth. Direct access to leadership (initially): Early opportunities to interact with the owner, who has deep technical knowledge, were insightful. Desire for modernization: There is intent to adopt modern software tools and practices, which could be beneficial if fully embraced.
Kontras
Lack of clear direction: Instructions came from multiple people, often conflicting or changing without warning. Owner bottleneck: The owner required final say on most decisions but was frequently unavailable, causing project delays and frustration. Changing priorities: Work direction would shift suddenly, even after significant time was invested, making progress feel futile. Ineffective implementation of tools: Project management software was introduced but not consistently used or supported. Long hours: Once projects fell behind, 10+ hour workdays became the norm. Reactive culture: Rather than proactive planning, the environment centered around urgent fire drills and last-minute pivots.