Pros
Sheryl Sandberg in her book "Lean In" describes advice she was given when she was looking to join the then-unproven Google: "If you're offered a seat on a rocket ship, don't ask what seat! Just get on," The "Pros" and "Cons" to this company will sound almost humorously similar: "All-consuming" and "time consuming," "the chance to do everything" and the "responsibility to do everything," or "unparalleled growth" and "growing pains." It is all true. If you are looking to work for COPE Health Solutions, one great value is that we know our flaws, and we know what we are doing to mitigate them. In just the last year I have been here, I have seen our leadership promise and deliver solutions to many of our requests for improvement of work-life balance, of a flat organization structure, and of professional development. I am absolutely impressed by the strides taken to highlight and develop every member of our team, no matter what their position. I recently reflected on the range work I have done in just the last year, and I realized I have far outpaced my five-year plan. I have had to almost scrap it completely, having accomplished so much in so little time. I have been engaged in health care policy development projects, process improvement initiatives, marketing campaigns, recruitment efforts, health care workforce development, patient experience initiatives, re-alignment of financial incentives and curriculum development in just this last year. I have my pick of what I want to work on next, and I work to accomplish it knowing I have a team that is brilliant, willing and resourced to assist. I know I am on a rocket ship. Things rattle, shake and sometimes fall off - but we are getting somewhere fast. This company lives and breathes its vision to change health care, and I have no doubt that it will; It is why I got on. I want to be there when we land at the forefront of a national issue, with an incredible model for change.
Cons
There is a right time for any opportunity, and this may not be the right time for some applicants. I cannot recommend my position to every friend, simply because they are not at the right stage in their career. Also, fair warning, much of what I speak to comes from my position, and may not apply to other positions in this company. This company requires a large time commitment. I would compare the commitment to a full class load at a top-notch university, with out-of-class work and research included. Again, not everyone has the time for this type of work, but it is not unmanageable. The time commitment is not only a question of "how much" but "when." There are many week days that are very normal, and the hours are often very flexible. However, I may have to work on a weekend, sometimes with short notice. This company will not be a good fit if you need step-by-step instructions for your assignments. We live and die by our initiative and innovation abilities. The question is not "who has to do this?" but rather "how can I make this happen?" Everyone has a different work style, and there are some individuals who would be frustrated by this lack of direction. Work-life balance at COPE Health Solutions cannot be approached with the traditional mindset. Work is included in life, and vice versa - and we really mean that. With a kids room at our corporate office and most every company retreat and dinner with a "family (and pets) invited" tag, this is not the type of work that only encroaches on life; we expect life to encroach on work. We see our families and friends as partners in our jobs. If you prefer an environment where work and life are more siloed, this may not be the place to work.
