Unnecessary stress and resistance to change - Senior Director Carnegie Dartlet Employee Review

1.0
May 17, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-Benefits -Fully remote -Some good co workers

Cons

The company continues to mandate the use of legacy software and manual processes that are not only inefficient but often incompatible with modern standards. Tasks that could be automated or streamlined with current technology are instead bogged down by redundant paperwork, clunky interfaces, and workarounds that waste time and energy. Employees often find themselves doing double the work just to ensure things are entered correctly into obsolete systems. Perhaps most troubling is the cultural mindset that supports this stagnation. Suggestions for improvement or alternatives are often met with resistance or outright dismissal. Innovation is treated as a disruption rather than an opportunity, and this mindset discourages proactive problem-solving and long-term thinking. Given the complexity and age of their systems, adequate training and documentation should be a priority. Sadly, that’s not the case. New hires are often left to "figure it out as they go," relying on tribal knowledge and inconsistent mentorship.

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Carnegie Dartlet Response
1y
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at Carnegie. We appreciate your candor and are glad you've had positive experiences with our benefits, remote work options, and your colleagues. Carnegie continually evaluates and updates technology to ensure operational efficiency and compliance. While some legacy systems remain in place due to their critical role in our workflows, we are actively investing in modernization and automation where possible to streamline processes and reduce manual work. Contrary to the perception that suggestions for improvement are dismissed, we encourage a culture of open dialogue and innovation. Many employees have contributed valuable ideas that have been implemented to enhance tools and workflows. Carnegie prioritizes training and mentorship, with structured onboarding programs designed to support new hires and help them integrate effectively. We appreciate your insights and encourage continued dialogue to help us improve.

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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