Pros
The students are wonderful and the young employees are passionate and enjoyable to work with.
Cons
Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) is not a place you would want even your worst enemy to work. The main issue is the extreme lack of professionalism (and even lack of human decency) of the senior managers: -The managers at SEO heap on verbal and mental abuse to their direct reports, bullying them unnecessarily, and feel uplifted in their work only when they are bringing someone else down. -Managers will single out and treat employees unfairly, using the silent treatment, creating a hostile work environment, and isolating you from your colleagues. One manager even goes around and bad talks to as many people who will listen. -Managers have been given constructive feedback by peers and direct reports but still no action has been taken. SEO will try to restructure departments and will hire an executive coach to work with the managers but nonetheless, the underlining issues continue to persist and compound. Rather than terminating bad managers, SEO will create a “paper trail” to push out direct reports who complain. When employees talk about lack of morale, SEO tries to make it better with $100 gift cards. Human Resources is aware of the toxic work environment and lack of work-life balance, but they are completely ineffective. Working at SEO has made me question my life choices and negatively impacted my ability to work and mental health while working there. Employees are constantly being belittled; they are riddled with anxiety and filled with depression. SEO prides itself on inclusivity and diversity; however, the office is just the contrary. The students add joy to the working day though even they are undervalued and exploited: SEO Scholars rarely are selected to participate in the exclusive law and career programs. Before accepting a position at SEO (or even interviewing at SEO), beware.
