Pros
Working at the Walmart Information Systems Division (ISD), AppsDev pillar, you get to work on apps that benefit customers and store associates directly, and contribute directly to savings that hit the bottom line. Very good focus on employee development, and a positive work environment. Managers and co-workers do care about you, even when you're out sick or having problems outside of work. Transfers are permitted to any area of Walmart, even encouraged. Salary is competitive for rural central US, significant bonuses 5K - 15K possible, plus stock. Some in-house training available. The renovation in progress is remaking the 3-floor windowless warehouse ISD buildings into a real office buildings with windows and new office furniture.
Cons
The near-freeze on hiring has led to declining headcount, off by 20% + now. Understaffed, adding 2000 contractors that constantly roll off adds its own issues. With so much work, I find myself having to constantly triage the incoming flow of requests. Working extra hours often doesn't help, it can feel like drinking from a fire hose. High performers can be (and have been) overrun and burned out. Health benefit deductibles that start at $6K cause many to treat it as catastrophic protection only, the result of major cuts in 2009-2011 that decimated the plans. No tuition or adoption benefits. Overall, Walmart is a cheap company to work for, very loath to spend money. You buy your own office supplies, reuse everything, so much it's held as a hallmark of company culture.
