While having a large amount of autonomy to direct what you are working on, sometimes it would be nice to have someone make those decisions for you. It's a company for high-flyers who like to swim in the deep-end...and while that's invigorating sometimes...it sometimes makes you feel exhausted.
There are no traditional corporate concepts like years-served-seniority etc. which means equal & small severance regardless of your years at the company. This is a bit stressful because in the event of being laid off, you won't be able to find something that matches the culture and enjoyment.
There's virtually no way to get to the upper management jobs without being a rockstar in some capacity and usually, once you are in the corporation, you aren't as desirable as outsiders. But at the same time, the people they bring in are actually damn talented and the day Apple starts hiring within to be "nice" to their old employees is the day we should worry. It would be nice if there better programs for "grooming" people who want to be rockstars because I feel that with a little bit of guidance, some would be stellar. In reality though, every is too busy to mentor/groom others...it's a fast moving belt that you have to jump on at full-speed. I can see both sides.
The bar is high and some of us weren't born with the talent to be above where we are. We could be rockstars at smaller companies (which might be the proper career path) but the prospect of working with morons (or on a PC) isn't desirable. It's sometimes like being married to a rich and attractive, yet abusive husband.
