Pros
A great opportunity for an engineer just starting out. A wide array of technical opportunities, as the corporation continues to innovate and push aluminum into new market sectors. The new acquisitions (non-aluminum, e.g., Ti, aerospace engine components, additive manufacturing, etc..) will only increase the diversity of opportunities. Many opportunities to interface directly with customers and plant engineers, very early on in your career. This can even include temporary plant engineer assignments if you are so inclined.
Cons
The implications for the Tech Center, from the looming company split are an uncertainty. Just something to be wary of if you are looking for a move to Alcoa. Also, while the new forays into non-aluminum tech sectors is healthy for the company, be wary if you are going in looking to be an “aluminum expert”. How these new acquisitions will be handled, in terms of how R&D dollars are allocated, and possible cut-backs in Al-traditional R&D$ is a big unknown. If I was a recent grad starting out at Alcoa, I would quickly look for opportunities outside of the Al-traditional R&D paths. An overused cliché, but true in this case: “the culture” at ATC has become very stressful in recent years. LONG hours and large work-loads are expected, the “baseline condition”. Work/Life balance can be tricky (despite what their “Visions and Values” profess). There have also been lay-offs and “voluntary” separation efforts in recent times that tend to focus on the older demographic. Again, a great place to start a career, and get a great experience in a fast-paced high-tech materials company. But as one passes the entry-level, and views longer-term tenure and planting "family roots", it would be worthwhile to make an assessment on how the more senior technical personnel are valued (or not!).