Over the last five years I've worked a wide range of positions at my site, and also traveling to other sites on occasion- and they are all the same. There are three kinds of people who work at CMC:
1) People who need/want/are addicted to the MONEY. I fall into this category because it was the best paying job I could find. I should have left years ago, but just couldn't find better pay. Most people in this category burn out despite the pay in 4-7 years. In my early years I often wondered why people with such great jobs would just up and quit with no notice...well, now I understand.
2) FELONS: Almost every single person who works in the yard is a felon. They work there because they can't find any other employment. Like everyone else, they hate the job but don't have many options. If you work at CMC you will have to accept that dealing with unsavory characters is the norm. I kid you not, I have actually lost count of the number of times Homeland Security has showed up to arrest someone for internet crimes(yes, HS does that!).
3) JUNK YARD DOGS: includes office personnel. These are the people who originally started for the money and stuck around long enough to get put in a position of "power". These people typically have no skills or education to work anywhere else, so they feel like King of the Hill. They will do ANYTHING to retain their position of influence, because for the first time in their lives they feel powerful. They relish in power trips and unreasonable requests. For example, throwing a piece of scrap metal on the ground and saying "You have to pick that up because I'm your supervisor and I told you to." Yes, that actually happened.
This review may sound harsh, but I assure you I toned down the reality of working for this company. If you are a typical Average Joe, who pays his taxes and is a genuinely nice person---this place will try to eat you alive. Most of the customers and coworkers you deal with will be some of the most callous, ignorant and selfish people you will ever meet.
If you are looking for a quality-of-life scenario, you will not find it here. There is no job security unless you are willing to play with the Junk Yard Dogs. You could work 60 hours a week for a year, then barely get your 40 the next(way more likely now since the industry is in a downturn). And who knows what job you'll be doing because they move people to wherever they need them without regard to pay, skills or interests. Yes, your pay will fluctuate with every move too.
Also, if you leave the site whether on assignment or to go on VACATION, people will be trying to get your job. I'm not exaggerating. It is that cutthroat.
