Pros
- The benefits package is decent. - Freedom from accountability. I once spent the entire work day strolling down memory lane via Youtube, watching clips of old Punky Brewster and Small Wonder episodes trying forget that all my post graduate dreams of success were instantly vaporized upon accepting a marketing position at CSN Stores. I was never spoken to about my eight hour mental vacation; a small victory. -Free Internet access. In retribution for my insulting salary I often spent hours googling important things like my name, the names of old high school crushes, and fantasy real estate. Nobody ever cared enough to question my routine lack of productivity. -Panoramic Views of Boston's Back Bay. The view from my desk offered an occasional chance to daydream about a better job. I used to envy the window washers risking their lives on neighboring buildings. Sometimes I would gaze at the adjacent Hancock Tower and imagine myself working for a company that offered an experience for me to learn, be challenged and grow, all while paying me more than $29k a year. -Safety. The windows in the Prudential do not open, therefore making it impossible to just end it all, as I would often get the urge to do on multiple occasions throughout my typical work day at CSN stores. -Opportunity. I was able to use my work computer to search Craig's List for other job opportunities. Thanks to the neglectful management at CSN Stores nobody seemed to notice me giggling with delight as I conversed with multiple recruiters through my personal email account. I was able to search for a job, set up interviews (which I would go to on my lunch hour), and accept an offer without ever leaving the comfort of my pod*. *CSN speak for large tables that you share with co-workers in place of a desk. In comparison, a cubical looks like paradise.
Cons
- Once a happy person, this job made me disgruntled and bitter. Working at CSN Stores causes nothing but anger and anxiety. When I was an employee of this company I used to spend my Sunday evenings praying for a massive power outage, snow storm, hurricane, tornado, etc. to occur so that I would not have to return to work on Monday. I would cry myself to sleep knowing that in the morning I would have to rip myself out of bed only to ride the subway for 45 minutes (the low salary does not afford an employee to live anywhere near the Prudential Center, unless your parents are financially assisting you). I spent my days at CSN Stores with my eyes glazed over wondering how my degree from Syracuse University could have let me down. -Free snacks. Many employees thought that they had hit the jackpot upon entering the kitchen to see a scene reminiscent of the candy and snack aisle at their neighborhood Cumberland Farms. Fools. Food is the currency at CSN Stores. I would much rather be paid with American dollars than with Starbursts and Cheetos. Also, the amount of snacks only encourages stress and depression eating. I gained ten pounds trying to drown my work related misery in Skittles and Cheez-its. -Upper management. Remember the people from high school who would desperately try to be apart of the popular crew but could never succeed? Well, it's payback time, these are the fine individuals that you will be answering to should you find yourself in an entry level position at CSN Stores. -The lack of concern for employees. One winter day I watched as buckets of snow fell upon the city. As the day grew late a "Snow Emergency" was issued for all of eastern Massachusetts. The mayor and the governor had publicly advised all area businesses to release their employees early so that they could make it home safely. Government offices were closed, schools were closed, many forms of public transportation were not in service. CSN Stores refused to let any of their employees leave even 30 minutes early. I saw co-workers beg to be released so that they could return to their homes just to move their cars from spaces that had recently been declared tow zones to allow for plowing. Unless you wanted to use a vacation day, everyone had to stay; the holiday season was in full swing and CSN did not want to risk losing any business. It took me three hours to get to my boyfriend's condo in South Boston (had I gone to my own apartment it would have taken all night) . Thanks CSN. -Compensation. After doing the math, I calculated that it would take almost nine years of paychecks from CSN to pay for my college education. Knowing what CSN pays their employees, I am genuinely surprised that you don't see any CSN employees digging for lunch in the garbage cans of the Prudential Center Food Court. Unless you are receiving financial help from your parents, sugar daddy, bookie, or illegal drug sales, you will not be able to survive in Boston on your CSN salary.
