I have worked at Health Catalyst for almost a year and a half as both an intern and now, more recently, as a full-time hire. In the time between those two tenures, I had the opportunity to work at an earlier stage startup at Thanksgiving point that I think colors some of what I see as the greatest "pros" and "cons" of Health Catalyst.
PROS:
1) Leadership. It's been said in many other reviews, and, I think, highlighted here with the number of his responses to reviews, but Dan Burton's leadership is second to none. More specifically, Dan's integrity, transparency, and sincere caring for his employees is without equal. He frequently speaks about how he views the employee's experience being his primary responsibility as CEO, and I believe his actions demonstrate the sincerity of that belief. Moreover, it is a responsibility that he feels very deeply about and is not casual about executing. It is a rare and enjoyable thing to have a senior leader that I feel like I can genuinely look up to and respect.
2) Culture. This is closely connected to the above, but the culture at Health Catalyst, specifically in how team members talk about and treat one another, has been amazing during my time here. While there are a lot of titles and layers of leadership (see cons), I personally have not encountered anyone using those titles to discredit or devalue any other team member. For example, as an intern, I was immediately provided with opportunities to engage with and lead meaningful projects, ultimately being able to present at HAS. Throughout that experience, I was rarely, if ever, referred to as "an intern" but, instead, was simply seen as a team member. Now, as a full-time hire, I have experienced the same, where, even when I am working with someone with significantly more experience than me, my views and ideas are treated with respect.
Similarly, I feel like the level of experience and education of my co-workers is incredible high and, as a result of that, the capacity to see, evaluate, and recognize quality work is very high. That is a very satisfying thing as an employee.
Separate from that professional, respectful culture, I have been floored by the culture of personal care that I have been shown during my time at Health Catalyst. My wife and I recently had our two first babies. During the pregnancy and following the delivery, it was amazing to me that it was so natural to be texting updates to my direct supervisor at Catalyst. Even now, she is often the first person I text pictures of the twins to. Beyond the support of my supervisor, the rest of my immediate team has rallied around my wife and me during this time, offering practical support in the form of gifts for the baby, but also prayers and well-wishes. Again, it wasn't just that these things happened but how naturally they happened that I have found so moving.
3) Benefits. Benefits and/or perks can be so funny. Oftentimes, it can feel a bit like the silly recruiting arms race in collegiate sports. Companies offering lunches, ski passes, and other kinds of fun or exciting perks while skimping on the "meat and potatoes" benefits that are most meaningful to their employees. Health Catalyst has that maturity in the benefits they offer that I find so much more meaningful. 401(k) match, HSA contribution matching, EXTREMELY generous parental leave, etc., etc. These benefits are all incredibly generous and, to me, paint a picture that the leadership of Health Catalyst want me to stay-- they want me to be able to make a career at Health Catalyst.
4) Clear career progression. During my time, I have been able to have several, meaningful conversations with my manager about my career development and progression. We've been able to chat about what I enjoy about the current work I am engaged in, how I can improve and do it better, and what professional challenges I'd like to tackle. That, too, is a satisfying feeling. But, more than those conversations, I have seen my manager work hard to enable that progression. She has taken me to workshop and professional certification programs to get the training I need for my future responsibilities. She has shared my work with others within the organization. She has worked closely with me to ensure that roadblocks are removed so I can continue to do quality work. She has lobbied for me to receive level changes/promotions and pay increases. She has clearly articulated her view of what she feels I am capable of.
Taken all together, I feel so blessed to be in a place where I can not only see but feel the potential to build a career for myself.
5) Meaningful work. It was recently shared on LinkedIn the number of patients lives that had been saved and/or affected and the number of dollars shaved by the improvement work one of our clients has engaged in with Health Catalyst. That is phenomenal. Again, it is a satisfying thing to know that you are part of some great effort that isn't just enriching an organization but is saving lives and improving patient outcomes.
I could go on, but I'll stop myself there.
