A great career choice - Anonymous employee DOWL Employee Review

4.0
Dec 28, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The people and the projects. In the past 10+ years, I have worked with some of the best engineers and scientists in Alaska and the Western United States. DOWL's Practice Area organization matrix encourages work across disciplines, regardless of office/employee location, while still allowing great service on a hometown level. Multiple disciplines within the company allow DOWL project opportunities that bring together many disciplines and offer those working on projects to gain experience and insight outside of their expertise. DOWL's management and leave policy is flexible and will work with employee needs and supports service in professional organizations to help round out one's career.

Cons

The work can be challenging and sometimes time consuming; but as a professional, you get out of it what you put into it. Hard work and passion is recognized and rewarded. And while growth of a company can sometimes be difficult, DOWL's growth in the past has not been unmanageable and the ultimate results have been positive, in my opinion.

avatar
DOWL Response
9y
Indeed we are fortunate to have a great mix of people with varying levels of experience that come from a variety of backgrounds. This diversity provides new ideas and freshness, and opportunities for advancement and leadership. I appreciate that your acknowledge that work is sometimes stressful and 40 hours per week in "second gear" is not enough to get the job done. Learning and fitness and growth occur beyond the comfort zone.

Explore other reviews about DOWL

5.0
Dec 5, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company attracts highly talented and knowledgeable engineers and project managers. The peer mentorship is invaluable. The benefits package is competitive, particularly the 401(k) match and health insurance options. There's a lot of flexibility in working arrangements and hours, which is helpful for personal scheduling. Clear opportunities for career growth and advancement if you demonstrate initiative.

Cons

The company could benefit from more standardized knowledge-sharing protocols between different departments and geographic locations.

avatar
DOWL Response
6mo
I’m so glad to hear you are using some of DOWL’s programs to your advantage and your career is being supported by some of our great people. You’ll be happy to know that we plan to expand on our supervisor/leadership and project manager training in the coming year! We try and keep the whole company apprised of high-level goings on through intranet posts and all-staff meetings, among other things. Our market sectors get a lot of autonomy, which is important for those groups to be able to run their corners of the business, but can sometimes lead to gaps in communication. Be sure to talk with your supervisor or office manager if there are specific things you wish were better communicated between departments or geographies. These dots can sometimes be connected by regular office or market sector meetings where the larger group can discuss what they’re up to.
2.0
May 27, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Met some great people that I am still in contact with - Learned new skills

Cons

- Bad management. When I told my supervisor that I was burnt out, I was told to "Smile through it" and "Be happy that I'm not working 60 hours a week like other departments. - No room to grow at all unless you are an engineer.

avatar
DOWL Response
3w
I agree – we have great people at DOWL! As with most consultancies, our project workload does occasionally necessitate putting in additional hours so we can meet our clients’ needs. I’m sorry you feel your manager did not work with you to take advantage of some our flexible work options or coordinate workshare. The facts do not support your claim that you cannot grow unless you are an engineer. We have many people in leadership roles who do not have PEs, including Practice Area Leaders, Board Members, and most of our C-suite staff.
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All