Pros
Supportive colleagues, strong team spirit, good knowledge sharing, and a culture where people are willing to help. After 10 years with the company, what I value most is still the people. There is a genuine sense of support here. It is not just something written in company values; I have experienced it many times in day-to-day work. When I joined, I had a reasonable foundation in programming and business analysis, but I still had a lot to learn about our long-established software product and the commercial world behind it. Over the years, senior developers, consultants and colleagues from different teams have generously shared their knowledge with me. They helped me understand not only the software, but also the needs of our users and the customers they serve. I have also grown a lot in softer skills: communicating progress, managing expectations, raising concerns early, and working better with line managers, project managers, peers and junior colleagues. One important lesson for me has been to focus less on only my own output, and more on helping the whole team deliver well together. The culture of helping each other is real. Yes, helping others can take time, but I have benefited from this culture far more than it has cost me. Knowing that I can ask the right person the right question gives me confidence, security and a real sense of belonging. There are also small things that make working life more enjoyable: good snacks, fruit, drinks, proper coffee, and company get-togethers with food and games. I especially enjoyed playing Jeu de boules at one of our annual events. My 10-year anniversary gift was also a lovely reminder that long-term contribution is noticed and appreciated.
Cons
As with any mature software product, there is a lot of domain knowledge to learn. It can take time to fully understand the product, the business context and how different teams work together. Helping others can also take time away from your own tasks, but in my experience the culture of giving and receiving help benefits everyone in the long run.