Amgen Reviews in Los Angeles, CA Area

Pros

very good benefits, educated people, work life balance, on-site gym, diverse workforce

Cons

no one really knows what's going on, lots of cutting in R&D department, lots of company politics to get to where you want to go

Advice to Senior Management

cut middle management

Pros

Intelligent people, great work life balance, and entrepreneurial spirit drives the organization. Between shutdown and the University relations team, they empbasize high involvement of interns.

Cons

Excessive concensus building seems to get in the way of productivity and efficiency. Management quality varies by business unit. Without open internship benchmarks, it can feel like an extended 3 month interview instead of getting a feel for how it

Advice to Senior Management

Ensure managers have the scope and time to commit to developing their MBA interns. Some projects and expectations weren't as well defined as others.

Pros

The innovative science and the dedication of the whole organization to patients. I really appreciated the high quality of staff. I felt that most people I worked with were highly professional, smart and good natured. I especially appreciated the opportunity to do meaningful work because of the serious diseases that Amgen treats. The future has many exciting prospects for growth. Compensation and benefits are still some of the best in Southern CA.

Cons

The executive leadership was out of touch with staff and manages with an old command and control style. There is still a 'boy's club' atmosphere in the C suite. Also the best leaders (Dennis Fenton and George Morrow) have left the company.

Advice to Senior Management

Treat staff with more respect, listen to what they have to say. Promote a few more of the brilliant women you have there.

Pros

Amgen is full of talented, intelligent people that are helpful and friendly. You have a tremendous amount of resources to do your job. In addition, the salary and benefits are very competitive within the industry.

Cons

There's a fair amount of bureaucracy and lots of time is spent trying to figure out who is the right person to talk to, just to get something done. And with everyone so talented and ambitious, it's tough to get promoted as growth opportunities are somewhat limited.

Pros

The company has very good benefits

Cons

there are too many layers in the company so work never gets done

Advice to Senior Management

clean house, 17000 people are not needed to run a company

Pros

By working there as a full time employee you will work on a beautiful campus and receive great benefits. Depending on your management it can be a great place to work.

Cons

Unfortunately, the focus is not on the value of the employee, but instead on managing risk. There is little opportunity for growth in your position unless you are favored by management, and there is little respect for long time employees input. There is no respect for hours worked, but instead on getting the overload of tasks done and making sure you are getting a graduate degree at the same time. Expect to work long hours with little or no thanks or benefits, as the management must adhere to a Jack Welsh philosophy of bad reviews for 10% of the employees regardless of work performance.

Advice to Senior Management

Create a department that focuses on Entrepreneurial opportunities in all divisions. Get rid of the mandatory 10% bad reviews for employees. Offer incentive rewards to employees that can offer positive changes in the processes that improve the company's bottom line.

Pros

great salaries, wonderful people, beautiful campus, we have all the tools we need to do our jobs, and are able to make a difference in people's lives.

Cons

none for me - I am grateful for the opportunity to have such a good job while working with a wonderful group of people.

Pros

Great benefits and good place to work.

Cons

Getting bigger and operates more like pharma.

Advice to Senior Management

Maintain growth in internal R&D.

Pros

good benefits package and good work life balance. the job is meaningful and can help serve the patients which is amgen's motto

Cons

growth opportunity within department is limited and have to wait for long duration before there is any open headcounts or promotion opportunities

Advice to Senior Management

Amgen's leadership is doing an amazing job in growing the company, expanding the pipeline, serving patients and creating value for shareholders

Pros

Good benefits and flexible work schedules

Cons

Limited promotion opportunities comparing to competitors