Pros
Start up company that you can get experience on some new technology. Young employees can learn many phases of the operation as it is a very small company.
Cons
Before you accept a position with this company, please be aware of the following: 1. The contract you will sign contains a "no-compete" clause that covers just about anything agriculture and anywhere in the US and Canada. If you are primarily in the agriculture business, you could be cut off from your livelihood if fired or you resign. 2. The contract also states that the company can terminate your employment for ANY reason or NO reason. They don't even need an excuse. It is also the law in the state of Florida that the company can do this. 3. This company currently has approximately 30 people (more or less). In the first 1 and a half years since they started hiring people, 17 have already left the company. 6 people were fired. Of those 6 people fired, not a single one of them were given any warning that their jobs were in trouble and every single one of them worked extremely hard. You will be blindsided without notice. 4. If you get fired, you will not get any severance package. You will just get paid until the day you are fired. They are also resistant to granting extended health benefits, so you are on your own after that winds down as well. The no-compete clause takes hold and you will be sued if you try to get a job in the precision agriculture business in the next several years. 5. If you get fired or leave on your own account, be aware that there is next to no high-tech firms in this area. You and your expertise will be stuck here if you move to the area. Orlando is at least a 50 minute drive and if you go for a job on the other side of Orlando, you are talking 1.5 hours one way. Melbourne and Jacksonville are also over an hour drive away. 6. Employees have been forced to work during holidays and forced to cancel vacations. 7. If you work extra long hours during the week and then have to take a bit of time off for a doctor appointment (for example), you will still be expected to make that time up. 8. Environment - You will be working in a warehouse. The only window is the front door where the HR person sits. Closest restaurants are at least a 10 minute drive one way. Most everyone is in the same room. 9. Management makes it well known that they plan to sell this start-up after 3-5 years (they are 1.5 years into that). If you have never experienced that, take note that companies tend to buy the company and keep just the product and that means the employees don't always come along for the ride. 10. CEO has never run a company before and it really shows. This ranges from budget management to general treatment of employees.
