Woof. Working here is not what it used to be. - Anonymous employee Carnegie Dartlet Employee Review

1.0
Feb 25, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great HR/People Success team genuinely dedicated to improving what they can for employee support. My specific division offers great flexibility.

Cons

The pressure from being bought by a private equity firm ruined the employee experience at this company. It used to be People First but it is fully Profit First at this point. A majority of the OG senior leaders have either left or been pushed out, leaving new to the industry, new to the company leaders who could not care less about the people working for them. They are all in this little club together making choices without context leaving everyone else to pick up the pieces. Oh, and pay is laughable. I've applied for roles much lower in scope than my current one that pay 25% more.

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Carnegie Dartlet Response
1mo
Thank you for providing such a candid and detailed assessment of your experience. First, we are incredibly glad to hear that you feel supported by our People Success team and that you value the flexibility within your division. Fostering a supportive environment at the ground level is very important to us, and we are proud of the HR team’s dedication to our employees. That being said, the rest of your review is difficult to read, and we deeply regret that recent organizational changes have negatively impacted your view of the company. We hear your frustrations regarding the cultural shift and the pressure that has come with our recent transitions. Blending new leadership with an established team is a complex process, and it is clear from your feedback that this integration has caused feelings of disconnect, alienation, and a loss of our core identity. Additionally, we hear your frustrations regarding compensation. We are continuously reviewing our pay bands against current market data to ensure that our salaries accurately reflect the scope and value of our team's hard work. Because you noted that you trust the People Success team, we strongly encourage you to reach out to us confidentially at hr@carnegiehighered.com. We genuinely want to bridge this gap and would value your perspective on how we can better advocate for you and your team moving forward.

Explore other reviews about Carnegie Dartlet

5.0
Feb 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The people are truly kind, collaborative, and mission driven. Everyone genuinely cares about supporting higher education and helping clients succeed, and that shows up in how teams work together day to day. There are a lot of smart people here, and the culture is collaborative rather than competitive. It feels like everyone wants each other to win. There are strong opportunities to work cross functionally, learn new skills, and try new ideas. There is also real room to fail, test new approaches, and learn without fear.

Cons

The pace is very fast. The work is good and meaningful, but it can feel intense at times. I also wish compensation were higher, especially given the speed and level of responsibility.

2
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Carnegie Dartlet Response
1mo
Thank you for taking the time to share such positive feedback! It is incredibly rewarding to hear that our mission to support higher education resonates so strongly with your day-to-day work. We are very proud of our collaborative team, and knowing that you feel encouraged to cross-train, innovate, and try new approaches without fear of failure is the best compliment we could ask for. We hear your feedback regarding the fast-paced intensity of the work and compensation. We know how hard our teams work, and we are continually looking at ways to ensure our salaries remain competitive and that our workloads remain manageable during busy seasons. If you ever have specific ideas on how we can improve the day-to-day pace for your team, please feel free to share them with us at hr@carnegiehighered.com.
1.0
Jun 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The client portfolio is genuinely interesting, and the peer-level team is incredibly talented, collaborative, and supportive. There are great people working here at the execution level, and you will build strong professional relationships.

Cons

Retention and management are major issues. Turnover is incredibly high, particularly within the first 90 days for new strategists. The company conducts surveys regarding capacity, but internal data is ignored—workloads routinely exceed promised limits (e.g., managing 12 clients when internal models cap roles at 8). Furthermore, the management style leans heavily toward negative critique rather than constructive coaching, creating a lack of psychological safety. Internal mobility is also poorly handled. Toxic culture.

10
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