IT: Fine place for "just a job" - Associate Morgan Stanley Employee Review

2.0
Feb 7, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Speaking from a "back-office" (IT) perspective... If you're able to let a job just be a job, the pay is good. That is, you put in your 40 hours Monday to Friday, do what's asked in a reasonable amount of time, and get well compensated. Some departments offer workplace mobility or facilitate work-from-home (including all Fridays for those working in the Brooklyn offices). Good standard benefits (medical, dental, vision, etc). Vestiges of a once-great technology division abound, which is nice. The infrastructure is looking crusty in some places (with 10+ year-old parts), but still quite impressive. The internal mailing lists aren't bad either.

Cons

It used to be one of the premiere investment banks on Wall Street. Now, thanks to profligate endeavors of the past few years, we've had disastrous results. This reflects badly on us as a firm and brand. Talented individuals depart, feeling the shift away from the massive FIRE (financial, insurance, and real estate) industry, heading to smaller firms, hedge funds, technology companies, and academia.

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Pros

Large, well-respected firm that looks good on a resume

Cons

Hard to climb/move silos/mobility opportunities

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3.0
May 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Very good co-workers, Great technology stack. Lot of new technologies and integration with current work.

Cons

They dont even give you a MS cup. They ask you to buy it for 5$. So cheap! Management big on "Giving back", Immediate managers do not like it and are not supportive. Lay off employees twice a year to show profits. Only worried about shareholders and clients. Don't know the criteria for lay-off. So, you are always worried if it is your turn. They boast about mental health and wellness. No good, when they layoff employees like this. HR = Horrible Resources. When you are laid off, they shoo you away as if you are a fly. You feel miserable. They themselves say - "We are better than Facebook or Oracle. We dont fire you at 6 AM over email." Gosh! What a comparison!

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