Get the experience, and get out.
Pros
- Ease of entry. Edwards will hire anyone, and I mean anyone. While this is great for people trying to get started in semiconductor, that same strength also makes it terrible for those there for a longer stint. - Little to no direct supervision. If you thrive in an environment where there is no micromanagement, this is a good spot for you. That said, it also comes with the massive drawback of having issues giving you help when stuck, since they are usually stretched thin. - Fun coworkers. Most of the entry-level employees at Edwards are genuinely cool people (there are exceptions). That said, once people hit management, they tend to get frustrated with the politics and become increasingly detatched.
Cons
- Lack of opportunity for advancement. Edwards management will relentlessly praise the company for hiring within, while at the same time, offer few opportunities to move up. The result is the majority of techs who have been around for 3+ years are still making minimal amounts of money, and only those who stick around for 5+ years (at an entry-level job) are considered for advancement. - Pay. Edwards pays a decent wage when you're first starting, but attempting to get a raise out of management is like pulling teeth. Even when you do well in a review, and the company has a good year, they will stiff you on your raises. On top of this, new employees are often brought on for more money than existing employees. - Deceitful hiring practices. Edwards will hire you on as a temp, and then promise to hire you directly if you complete certain requirements. Then when you fill them, they'll tell you that they have filled their quota. - The WORST HR department. HR is slow to respond to things like pay, hiring issues, benefits issues, you name it. They've neglected to pay employees for their first month's work and only paid them out when the employee left the company. While working at Edwards, it's best to just hope you never need anything from HR. You won't get it. - Out of touch management. While your direct manager will have a good idea of what the ebbs and flows of your job look like, the middle and upper will not. They have unrealistic expectations, frustrating political games, and only bother to communicate if it's criticism. This results in frustration from lower management, low pay, and extremely limited resources.
