S&P Reviews

Pros

Prestige, methodology of work, leading franchise, versatile approach.

Cons

Compensation is not top. At least at internship level.

Pros

Worldwide recognition of brand, although have to wonder about that lately. If you have a great boss, you're set. Heck, you might even get promoted regardless of your ability or quality of contributions. Sure, politics exist everywhere but this place is blatant about it. And if you're caucasian, you'll do quite well here. Hey, it's a job and will pay some bills.

Cons

A lot of incompetent and overpaid people in senior to mid-level management. HR thinks they're above everyone and don't have time for anyone. Very old school and rigid. This place is riddled with rules (if they don't like you) and yet no rules (if you're part of the in crowd). If you're a person of color, GOOD LUCK! Work here if you really have no options and are desperate. Don't say that you weren't warned. High turnover everywhere.

Pros

good work life balance
sometimes challenging work
good client facing opportunity for analysts

Cons

slow to change
difficult to grow at junior levels
admin burden

Advice to Senior Management

need to communicate better and more timely

Pros

9-5 work schedule; no expectation to stay late, work weekends, or respond via bberry.

Cons

"That's the way we do it" used to justify backwards and outdated ways of doing everything.
A young, talented, hungry workforce being stiffled by incompetent and intimidated management.
Processes are more important than results.
No opportunity for promotion based on performance; just a-- kissing.
HR is a calamity.

Advice to Senior Management

Per Lou - We can be a billion dollar bureaucracy or a billion dollar startup. We are the former. Focus on results instead of processes.

Pros

flexibility to personal life and good hours

Cons

promotions based on seniority rather than individual accomplishments

Pros

S&P believes in work/life balance.

Cons

Managers that can't manage, don't know what they're doing, and incompetent.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop hiring everyone from Thompson/Reuters. Replace the top 2 levels of management.

Pros

Good exposure to upper management, coworkers humble and friendly, work with smart people, tasks varied regularly, intern program very well run and the location in the city is great

Cons

not incredibly innovative company, bureaucratic at times with a gun shy legal department, days sometimes move at a slow pace

Pros

S&P is extremely powerful and influential in the global financial markets. Unlike investment bankers, the culture is a bit laid back and good place to work, in particular for women.

Cons

While it is a large organization itself, it is owned by The McGraw-Hill Companies. So occasionally, you encounter a situation where you need to do redundant works.

Advice to Senior Management

If you want to work as a credit analyst, you need to pass the exams.

Pros

Work/Life balance is important to the company. The cubes are empty by 5:30. Employees are easy going. The work environment is not competitive.

Cons

Job function can be repetitive, limiting knowledge growth. The lack of competition makes employees complacent. Longtime S&P employees have found it hard to compete in the job market against sharper peers from other companies.

Advice to Senior Management

Reputation can only get S&P so far. S&P needs to engage the market in order to stay competitive. If not, the brand will suffer.

Pros

Good independent work atmosphere, work life balance is considered important. Respects employees. Has very good learning opportunities, has a good leadership.

Cons

Standard and Poors provide very few opportunities for growth. Growth mostly depends on the department a person is employed in.

Advice to Senior Management

Nothing that comes to my mind as of now, nothing special. Nothing that comes to my mind as of now