Pros
If you want to learn a lot in a short amount of time, then Novartis is the place to go. For example, one year at Novartis is about 3 years of experience anywhere else. It will help your overall well-roundedness in clinical research because the roles at Novartis are very broad, allowing you an opportunity to learn a lot of different things. It is a good place to get experience in a job, and experience in how to deal with politics. Both are skills one would need to get to the next level at any company. Good pipeline, peers are generally very nice people, and available training is good. The Pay for performance is generally good. If you stay true to type, "perky and happy to be there with no criticisms (even when asked)", and volunteer for more activities, you will do well. Benefits, vacation policy, flexible working arrangements are relatively good as well.
Cons
Novartis can be perceived as a very political environment. Management sometimes gets stuck on how something is said versus the content of the message. If you communicate well, you will do well at Novartis. If you have difficulties in communicating, then you will have some difficulties.. The same personality type, unfortunately, is generally seen across most levels of management (i.e., over ambitious, insecure, argumentative, aggressive, condescending to subordinates, and above all arrogant) and this severely impacts employee morale. It is perceived by regular associates that most at these levels are looking to maintain their power, not help train their successors. Workload for everyone is much too high. You will be expected to make things happen by "magic" even if it is not your job. Some line functions wait for others to tell them what to do in fear of doing something wrong. Environment is a negative feedback culture - and cases where the associate is not given the benefit of the doubt. I have viewed a lot of "scapegoating" occurring in my 10 years at Novartis. Similarly, relative job titles too low for similar work at other companies, and Novartis pay is among the lowest in industry. Entry-level (non-manager) trial roles can leave Novartis and have the experience to be hired an Associate Director at other similar-sized pharma companies. Work-life Balance is virtually non-existent if you want to be seen as a high performer.. Micromanagement is very high in some groups. Boundaries are sometimes not respected (i.e., calling associates on weekends and Christmas holidays to complete trial tasks). Very European-heavy in management roles. From my perspective, there are not alot of American's, Women, or Non-Asian/Non-Indian Minorities in leadership roles.