I'm on my first jet. We were taught speed mode almost exclusively in the sim. However, I found out very quickly that the pitch changes make it uncomfortable to use on the line.
I prefer pitch mode, especially in the soup or turbulence. If you learn the pitch required for particular airspeeds it gets very easy to set and adjust smoothly for a comfortable ride. My company's typical climb schedule is 290/.74 so I usually hand fly in speed mode at 250 to 10,000. Then I pitch for about 2.5° nose up, set pitch mode and engage the auto pilot. The aircraft accelerates to 290 with little or no adjustment on the thumb wheel. At the Mach transition, if left in pitch mode, the aircraft tends to accelerate to .77 or more, so if I want to fly on schedule this is the time I'll switch to VS for the rest of the climb. It just seems to work better for me. However, if we are heavy and/or climbing to FL380 or more the CR7 gets sluggish at .74 and VS mode. In those instances I'll keep it in pitch mode to .77 or so and she climbs like a champ to TOC.
The bottom line is you should learn the pros and cons of each mode in different scenarios in order to choose the best (or most comfortable) option. I have only about 350 hours in type, so this may seem amateur to some, but I'm still learning. Fly safe!