Pros

DST allows the valuable opportunity to hone one's technical skills on enterprise-level IT equipment. The environment is mostly laid-back but at the same time fast-paced. Jobs seem to be fairly safe, even in bad economic times.

Cons

Compensation is not on par with other organizations. Although common among any IT environment, it is worth mentioning that over 40-hour workweeks are expected.

Advice to Senior Management

I tend to think that higher-up management loses sight of those of us in the trenches, and this is mostly true from what I've seen at DST. As well, promotions need to be granted based on merit, not denied based on economic times. There are many associates working at DST who really could care if they have a job and are just here for a paycheck - I think more scrutiny needs to be given to this situation and consideration given to those who give 110%. If the company needs to shed dead weight to weather tough economic times, while allowing those who deserve it to advance, so be it. It is often said that the company is only as good as its worst employees, and you must also remember that holding on to people who don't care to be here brings the ones down who really *want* to be here as well as their desire to do a good job.