Pros
1. I'm surrounded by brilliant people, and we're working collaboratively on important problems. 2. Flat management structure--I don't have a boss, so I petty much self-start, self-direct, and figure out how to be successful. 3. Incredibly variety of projects--I'm working on national defense, behavioral health, and intelligence projects currently. 4. Tons of flexibility in work schedule--I have to meet deadlines, but otherwise I work when/where I want. 5. Very generous pay and benefits
Cons
1, That flat management, no boss thing means no one is micro-managing you, but it also means no one is guiding you. It's kind of sink or swim. 2. You have to find your own work at RAND: you need to find about 220 billable days every year. You have to either a) build a network of people who think you are valuable for projects, and will invite you onto projects, or b) be able to get grants/awards for your own project work and sort of hire yourself.