Working at USAA (Celeste: layoffs, high school, living)

[imaterry78259]

Originally Posted by motown mary

I came across another USAA message board where everything said was negative. I am just so stumped! They said there was a culture of fear & paranoia, restructuring every 4-5 mos., people relocating from out of state who get fired or quit soon after they arrive and terrible leadership. Is any of this true?

USAA was once the company to work for in SA, now most graduates avoided like the plague because of the aforementioned negatives. Valerio seems to be the place today

[blackops]

I would think hard and long about working for USAA. It is a keep your mouth shut and head down atmosphere. Everyone stabs eachother in the back with out batting an eye. They also form groups that try to protect each other if you don't become part of a gruop you are fair game. Pay and benefits are good for a reason. Not a fun place to work.

[RGJ]

Originally Posted by Abrupt1

Both sets of feedback are probably true. I'm not very fond of either SA or the company, but don't let the opinion of others drive your decision. If you are not being hired into a very senior position the politics will likely not be an issue at the company, and if you like a small-town environment (with some heat and bugs) you'll probably like SA.

Heat? That's why we have air conditioning. Bugs? Had no idea San Antonio had more bugs than elsewhere. Small town environment? That's cool...Dallas, Houston are just a couple hours away(if you like that kind of environment).

[Bo]

Some posts above were deleted. Let's get back to the original topic, please.

Originally Posted by LeChiffre

Does anyone work at USAA? I'm considering moving to S.A. because I've been offered a position there. How's the company culture and work atmosphere?

[SAAggiemom]

SA Great place to live, USAA Greater place to work! You get a job there and then get me a job there! Good luck to you and your family

[FCF's Wife]

I hear they don't pay anything unless you're senior management.

[majormadmax]

I have to question that comment, especially since it is secondhand. USAA is one of the largest employers in San Antonio, and has a reputation and received numerous awards for its excellence. I honestly doubt it would be such a lousy place to work considering.

In our old neighborhood, almost half of the residents worked for USAA and I can't remember any of them not liking it there. Obviously that is secondhand info as well, and I have met several people who were prior employees of that company that did not like it; but for the most part I think if you can get a job there you have done well. The long lines you see at their table at career fairs substantiates that belief.

To the OP, have you looked at USAA's Career Center? Might give you better info.

Cheers! M2

[skeet09]

Definitely depends on the department you are in. One co workers hubby was in IT for many years but always had the layoff thing over their head, another co-workers past job was in the customer service department with the checking and savings and was miserable, another was in finance and liked it a lot.

[CelesteDF]

I would imagine that whether or not you like working at USAA would largely depend on your own personality. I did a summer internship at USAA when I was in college. The place was full of friendly people with lots of "quality of life" activities/events, but it was not the kind of place I would enjoy working because I need more autonomy, creative freedom and a more dynamic environment.

I have many colleagues and friends who work there now or have worked there within the past 5 years. Those who like it seem to really like it, and those who don't... well, they just HATE it and try to get out of there as fast as they can. Do you like the security and predictability of large, corporate, process-driven, bureaucratic institutions, or do you prefer smaller, more nimble, less stable organizations? Know your own preferences because a work environment is really what you make of it.

[SA Greed]

Originally Posted by blackops

I would think hard and long about working for USAA. It is a keep your mouth shut and head down atmosphere. Everyone stabs eachother in the back with out batting an eye. They also form groups that try to protect each other if you don't become part of a gruop you are fair game. Pay and benefits are good for a reason. Not a fun place to work.

This is pretty close to reality.