Pros

HCSC is a large corporation with lots of subsidiaries. The subsidiaries are largely ignored as all resources are poured into Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. This makes the "Blue" a more desirable place to work but impossible to get in. Blue Cross Blue Shield offers its employees chances for professional as well as educational growth and advancement. Benefits here are awesome and the package is the one of the best I have seen. The downtown Chicago location is ideal and HCSC community involvement is top notch. Summer work hours are great as well as the flexibkle work schedules to accommodate busy lives.

Cons

The subsidiaries of HCSC are struggling and frustrating places to worl to say the least. Improper staff levels, resources, and out dated technology keep these companies from striving. Outdated mindsets, archaic procedures, and a lack of strategic vision keeps these companies from reaching their full potential. Recently, a new president has come in with great ideas for change and advancement, but it remains to be seen what will actually happen. As many older employees retire and competent employees leave for better opportunities, succession planning is an foreign idea. Very few employees promoted from within as no one wants the jobs! More times than not, outside candidiates are hired for positions that could be easliy filled by overly competent employees because no one wants to apply internally.

Advice to Senior Management

Technology is as important for the subsidiaries (FDL, Combined, DNOA, etc) as it is for Blue Cross