Pros
Let me start by saying that I am a current employee on my way up the corporate ladder. That said, with Kiewit, you will learn every aspect of the construction industry. Most employees sign on as an engineer and you will learn how to estimate and run work. You will have the chance to work in paving, utilities, structures, environmental...you will get bounced around so you can learn it all. Kiewit places a big emphasis on training, so you will become very proficient in many valuable disciplines very quickly. Beginning a career, Kiewit usually offers more money and a better benefits package than most other companies out there. Lastly, you will have the chance to travel far and wide. This can be good or bad, but long story short, you will have the opportunity to live in many areas. Kiewit is a great springboard for any young construction worker. Many employers know Kiewit's expectations of its employees and so they view Kiewit employees favorably. It is not uncommon for other companies to cherry pick Kiewit guys because they know that they will be getting a competent and hard working employee.
Cons
The Kiewit mindset is that the company comes first...period. The company does not take into consideration family needs or personal desires. You will not have free time working for this company. It is not an 8-5 job. Typical days start around or before 6:30 and generally don't end until 6-6:30. It is not uncommon to find yourself working until 10:00 or later at night. This has nothing to do with incompetence or a poor work ethic. Your colleagues will be right there with you. There is no work life balance whatsoever, and most of the people who progress within the company are those that work late and work weekends. Face time is what really matters to the company. Another bad thing about the company, and it is true with many construction companies, is that they go where the work is. If you are in Texas but they find work in Louisiana, they will not think twice about shipping you to the new job. They don't take family/health status into consideration. If you want a job with Kiewit, you go where the work is. Lastly, the only tried and true method of progressing within the company is to become a successful field person. Don't attempt to climb up through the ranks as a business person or any other position that doesn't require you to go out and run work. Business people may become stockholders, but it is generally a 10-15 year process for them where as a field person can become a shareholder within 3-5 years. Safety, quality, environmental, and some of the other positions that don't "make money" will have a very hard time going anywhere within Kiewit.
