Pros
The benefits are worth it, I find it hard to believe i could get all the health coverage I do somewhere else at a pretty reasonable amount. I have 6 years whith the company and get 4 weeks paid time off plus holidays. I dont think i would have the same benefits or time off that i do now if I was at a private practice. Its a great start in learning the industry, frames, lenses, budgets, lab work , retail operations, management training, if you pay attention to the workings of the company you will have a great opportunity to excell in the company or starting a private practice.
Kontras
The biggest thing is if you are hourly the amount of hours you get change. With this economy you either perform or you dont get the hours, and at different times of the year there a very few hours to give. So the ones that do perform well get overworked due to the strict guide for hours. Store managers have final say in how upper management sees store associates, so if they arent level headed and react emotionally to everything first. Good luck breaking the picture that have painted of you with upper managment. There are good regional managers out there but you will really have to work to be heard.