Pros
I genuinely enjoyed much of my time at the company and worked with smart, dedicated teammates. In my later roles, especially as a Principal UX Designer, I had significant autonomy, owned strategy and design decisions, and was trusted to lead complex work. Leadership on my most recent contract was supportive, and the scope of work was engaging and impactful. When conditions were right, it was a great place to do thoughtful UX work.
Cons
Experiences varied significantly by contract and leadership. Earlier in my time as a UX Researcher, teams were overextended, heavily micromanaged, and often received feedback that was not actionable or outcome driven. Career advancement is challenging, particularly for those who take maternity leave, and promotion paths lack transparency. Ethical alignment was also a concern. Partnerships with vendors such as Palantir, given their involvement in ICE surveillance and other government programs widely criticized by human rights organizations, conflicted with my personal and professional values. Additionally, company wide communications around Israel and Gaza lacked nuance and empathy, expressing support for Israel without acknowledging the humanitarian impact on Palestinian civilians, which was painful and alienating for some Arab and Muslim colleagues with friends or family directly affected by the violence.