Decent first job but definitely not a career. - Developer I Applied Systems Employee Review

2.0
28 Nov 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

They hire people right out of college with no experience and has a pretty good training program to get you familiar with programming and working in a corporate environment.

Cons

Employees are horribly underpaid. This is not a job where you can make a living. My salary was about $20k less than the average starting salary for software developers with bachelor's degrees. Raises just barely keep up with inflation. Benefits aren't anything to write home about either. One thing to note also is the location. It is located in the deep ghettos of the south side of Chicago. The area is poverty-stricken and if you want to live in a decent area you'll have to commute quite a bit.

Explore other reviews about Applied Systems

5.0
1 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Well known within the space and lots of opportunities.

Cons

Certain sales roles are limiting

1.0
6 May 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The teammates that I worked with were generally really great. Decent opportunity for learning

Cons

The benefits were not great, 3 year vesting to get a 401k match, insurance was sub par, time off was below average. In addition to this the management team is having a lot of turnover along with getting rid of people systematically (or what feels targeted). This is following some acquisitions that could have been great but because the teams are all operating in silos with what feels like no cohesive direction from the senior leadership. The products that are being sold are very old feeling/looking with no real changes on the horizon. Pair this with high level executive leadership changes that are pointing to a potential sale of the company which likely will come with more changes and loss of employment.

2
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