Good training ground but need strong internal connections to succeed within firm.
Pros
The highlight of Brown Advisory is the quality of the people and the team-centric approach. The experience can vary dramatically depending on your business unit, but generally the company is filled with hard-working, good people who care deeply about the firm's clients. The firm also serves as a great training ground as it is large enough for you to receive good mentorship but small enough that you can be given real responsibility early on in your career. The tag line of "thoughtful investing" rings true throughout the firm - you will work with very smart and driven investors with great knowledge and expertise in all types of markets (public, private, equity, fixed-income, real estate, etc.). The firm's connections to interesting, powerful and resourceful individuals within (employees brought in because of their connections, board members) and outside of the firm help propel the firm's growth and access to other smart and successful investors.
Cons
There is little respect for a work/life balance, especially for those in operational roles, and little reward for working 55-60+ hour weeks. Salaries are well under market. The company is filled with an expensive old guard (70+ partners), and although there is a statement that most employees are owners of the firm, the ownership is heavily lopsided with the senior partners and favored younger partners owning most of the shares (growth and an increase in the stock price does not affect all equally). Advancement can be slow for those who are hired into the lower ranks but better for those who are hired in with experience. The company continues to operate with an old-boys network that can be tough to crack unless you went to the right school, come from the right family, or have significant personal or family wealth. Those who are "in" receive faster promotions, more stock and larger salaries, which are often tough to justify versus the "out" crowd who may work harder and accomplish more but do not receive the same rewards.
