Falling Apart - Computer Scientist Booz Allen Hamilton Employee Review

2.0
May 27, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- There are still many folks who really are competent and excel at what they do. In some cases, they are the best in the industry. - You can create your own work/life balance here. There will still be a lot of pressure to burn out, but if you refuse nobody will really do anything to you.

Cons

- The company's management (senior to middle levels) is coming apart at the seams. Most managers are incompetent at managing the thing they are notionally in charge of. Many now proudly declare that they are "faking it until they make it." Clearly such people do not understand the TED Talk on the Imposter Syndrome. - The company is suffering from multiple identity crises. It can not decide if it is a consulting company, staff augmentation, or professional services. - Innovation is squelched, despite the creation of a very large innovation group. The company uses almost none of the technologies and skills it purports to be expert in. - The company's business operations team (called the GO team) is disconnected from market demands and mostly cannot be relied on to do anything except make life difficult. - The company is positioned poorly in the marketplace. Because it has no clear brand, it is not clear of it should be compared to higher-end boutique vendors or if it should be compared to offshore outsourcers. Customers are frequently confused and unable to understand where the company stands relative to competitors. - Benefits are cut every year, often substantially.

Explore other reviews about Booz Allen Hamilton

5.0
Jul 17, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Loved it here. Management stayed out of my way, great benefits, above average check.

Cons

No upward mobility but if you want to get 2-4 years of xp and dip it’s perfect for that.

2.0
Jul 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

**Communications Specialist (Former Employee) – Booz Allen Hamilton** Overall, Booz Allen was a solid place to work, particularly if you're interested in supporting meaningful government missions. I worked as a Communications Specialist supporting federal clients, and the work was intellectually engaging. The role offered opportunities to develop executive communications, strategic messaging, and communications products on complex policy and technology issues. The company has talented people and a collaborative culture. I found my colleagues to be knowledgeable, supportive, and genuinely committed to delivering high-quality work for clients. There are also opportunities to build skills across communications, proposal support, change management, and stakeholder engagement if you're proactive. Like many consulting firms, however, your experience depends heavily on your client and contract. Workload and expectations can vary significantly from one engagement to another, and priorities can shift quickly based on client needs. Success requires adaptability, strong writing skills, and the ability to manage multiple competing deadlines. **Pros** * Smart, collaborative colleagues * Interesting and mission-driven client work * Opportunities to build a diverse communications portfolio * Strong reputation in the federal consulting space * Flexible career paths depending on contracts **Cons** * Experience varies considerably by client and manager * Fast-paced environment with shifting priorities * Advancement can depend on finding the right opportunities and contracts * Work-life balance fluctuates based on client demands **Advice to Management** Continue investing in career development for communications professionals and provide greater transparency around internal mobility and long-term career progression across contracts.

Cons

Career growth can be inconsistent because it's often tied to contract opportunities rather than individual performance. Your experience depends heavily on the client, project, and direct manager, so there isn't a consistent employee experience across the company. Internal processes and approvals can be bureaucratic, making even simple decisions take longer than necessary.

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