I have gotten a Walmart offer for data scientist position. The offer looks handsome, also Walmart is a very good brand to build a data science career. The only issue is the location, Bentonville, AR. I tried requesting for remote, Sunnyvale, Dallas location and nothing worked. So I guess I will have to move to Bentonville now. So please help me understand how the city is. I have never heard of this city, so I'm kind of hesitant about it. How's the life around the city? What are some fun activities to do in the area? Currently I'm in Atlanta and liking it a lot. I'm the kind of person who prefers going on drivable weekend trips and adventures a lot. So is the city favorable for that? I don't see any cities, national parks, or mountains around. I'm a 26M single Indian. Considering that how's the scope to socialize and date from scratch in the city? Is it worth sacrificing the life I have right now? Also Walmart folks how easy is it to change the location in Walmart internally? Thanks in advance for the clarity. Current TC ~ 110k Walmart TC ~ 190k YoE - 3 #walmart #bentonville #arkansas #life #socialize #acitivities #misc #relocation #atlanta
I would not take it. Being in tech and in Silicon Valley gives you access to tremendous opportunities in bay area. AR seems boring with bad weather. Not worth taking it. I would rather keep trying for other companies locally and get your TC high.
Not in the bay area and given the recession scenario, I'm not finding any luck right now with big tech companies in data science career.
I would be surprised if you cant find. There are companies hiring like crazy. Including Apple. We do not have hiring freeze
There are not many outdoor opportunities in Bentonville compared to Bay area. It is worth sacrificing to work at Walmart HQ since you are single. Walmart corporate culture is very good. You will have many opportunities to network at Bentonville. 190K is a very comfortable salary for the area. You will save a lot.
Bentonville is a small town compared to any other major city. It has a twin city called Rogers just across the highway. If you are a very social person who likes night life, etc then you will struggle, you can make friends to enjoy group sports activities etc. It has grown leaps and bounds in recent years and it is the most progressive side of AR, this is apart from Fayetteville which is the university center near by. If you are a nature lover, you will love it, Dozens of lakes and water bodies to enjoy along with national parks for trekking activities. The food scene is interesting as well when you add Rogers but it is no Dallas+Plano+etc. (Hint: check the population figures đ) Great places to drive to like Branson, Joplin, Tulsa, etc but like I said not comparable to Bay Area, Dallas, etc. BTW, Walmart has a team (development center) based out of Bay Area, so you may have the option of moving out in 1-1.5 years. P.S: You will save good amount of money there for sure :P
Thanks for all this information. Really helpful! How easy is it to move across the teams internally to change the location?
I am sorry but I donât have this information for you.
Northwest Arkansas is awesome
If you love playing cricket you will enjoy Bentonville. Also there are many state parks in Bentonville. They have good bike trails.
Recently walmart statted hiring for Atlanta, did you ask them for Atlanta.
Yeah. I did. The recruiter mentioned you can change location after a year. But currently you will have to move to Arkansas
What is the role offered ? Could you please post TC breakup?
Give it a try, nothing says Bentonville is a forever move. You will be able to save money in a LCOL area and enjoy the Ozarks and state parks in the area. Walmart is a great resume builder!
As someone who was in your position, donât do it. Walmart is a cesspool- if you arenât in the good ole boy system, your life will be hell. Plus, their data science is run by locals and people who have no idea what they are doing. You could get canned for sneezing downwind and you will be stuck in middle America with your only local options being Tyson chicken or JB Hunt. Also, you will not be surrounded by smart people - donât do it. Bentonville is corrupt and everything here is a farce designed to bring people in - right now, Walmart is in political turmoil and you may start in a data role, and if they need you in an HR role you will be âreassigned.â They donât care about you or your career. They looks down on tech (thatâs the culture in spite of the Global Tech propaganda). Bentonville is still a very âbackwoodâ area - it looks nice on the surface, but if you donât join a church or participate in âfamilyâ activities, you will be shunned. Also, Iâm sure youâre used to having amenities like people to work on your house, or lawn care if you want to own. You will pay enormous amounts for basic civilized structure and the work will be done by meth addicts and alcoholics. It looks nice on the surface, but it is a terrible, terrible place. Be smart. Stay in civilization. The bike trails are nice for a visit, but donât move here. It took me 3 years to escape. If you do decide to take it, love in Fayetteville or Bella Vista - a lot of employees are in bentonville and your every move is acknowledged and you will constantly be under the microscope. Want to run to the gas station in sweats? Be ready to have your manager address the fact that you looked disheveled in public. Going through a divorce? Be ready for questions about how you sinned against god. No joke. Run.
I know for a fact that 90 percent of this comment is here sh**
I agree with this statement âBentonville is still a very âbackwoodâ area - it looks nice on the surface, but if you donât join a church or participate in âfamilyâ activities, you will be shunned.â
Lived here in since 2012. Winters are bad (Not much snow but cold and windy). Once you get past that it's an awesome place to live in. You will save a lot with your TC. If you are an active outdoor body you will love the non winter seasons. Tons of places to go Camping, hiking, mountain biking. Overall your quality of life will be awesome.
You are forgetting something - add your TC
Thanks for reminding. You are godđ