However, my time at EPAM hasn't been without its drawbacks. A major concern is the compensation policy. It feels like EPAM is very tight with money, especially when it comes to raises. As a junior, I've had to actively fight for a higher salary, and even then, the increases are often minimal ($100-200), which isn't a normal raise for someone at this stage. While the starting pay for a first job is decent, the progression seems slow and difficult.
Another significant issue, particularly on large projects, is the slow pace and inefficiency. A considerable amount of time is often spent just trying to understand requirements and navigating complex codebases, often leading to writing only a few lines of code after extensive effort. This can be frustrating and can hinder a sense of rapid personal development, especially when compared to roles where I was the sole developer and constantly learning new things.
The level of bureaucracy is also noticeable. There seems to be a service and a ticket for everything, even for minor requests like getting a mouse for a laptop. While not a huge problem individually, these small procedural hurdles can add up and affect overall efficiency and experience.