Cedar Network & Data Solution

Pros: I learned a ton about core network infrastructure and got exposure to some solid data solutions. It's a good place to get hands-on experience as a junior Network Engineer. The hybrid work model helped a lot too.
Cons: Career progression here is pretty slow. There aren't many clear paths for advancement beyond a certain point, especially for network infrastructure roles. I felt opportunities for senior positions were really limited in the Austin, TX office.
Advice to Management: Create clearer progression paths and invest more in internal training for advanced data solutions. Don't let good Network Engineers feel stuck.

Pros: As a Network Engineer, I usually kept pretty standard hours during the week. The core team in the Dallas, TX office is pretty good about trying to respect personal time. You do learn a lot about IT infrastructure here, which is a big plus for career growth.
Cons: The on-call rotations for operational roles can totally mess up your weekends and evenings. Project deadlines sometimes mean late nights, so don't expect a perfect 40-hour week every time. There's not a lot of WFH flexibility once you're out of training.
Advice to Management: Please look into better staffing models for the IT infrastructure teams to reduce the on-call burden. More support would really help improve morale and work-life balance across the board.

Pros: As a Network Engineer, I've had good opportunities for skill development in IT infrastructure. The team is really collaborative, which helps a lot in our hybrid setup. You get exposure to a good range of new technologies.
Cons: Senior leadership sometimes seems out of touch with the day-to-day operations. Decisions can feel pretty slow, especially for critical data solutions projects. It's tough when you don't always get clear direction from management.
Advice to Management: Try to be more present and transparent with the technical teams. Clearer communication about project goals and company vision would really help morale and efficiency. We need leadership that understands the ground-level challenges in IT infrastructure.