Pros
You definitely get a chance to hone your Adobe CS skills, and get much faster at work flow, since the GIADC is very production-focused. This was my first full-time graphic design job, and I did indeed learn a lot during my two years there. My coworkers were friendly.
Cons
- Low pay - you could get a similar rate working front desk at a hotel (I know, I've done that too). - Excessive Overtime. When I first started in 2103, OT was manageable and only occurred during peak seasons (May, November-December). By the time I left, barely a week passed without OT, year-round. - Downward--spiraling Management. There was a gradual but continuous increase in disconnect between artists and management. Management continually implemented new strategies without consulting artists, seemingly throwing things at a wall to see what stuck. - Low Morale. As a result of said management, employee morale was at an all time low, with a few artists quitting every week, and a general feeling of dissatisfaction and resentment on the floor. Management, however, continued to pretend everything was going well and sidelined criticism. - Few Opportunities for Creativity. While it's true that many graphic design jobs are more boring than they sound, only occasionally do you have the time to actually devote love and creativity to an ad. The company cares about numbers and performance by a much larger margin.