Okay for getting experience, then leave to move upward
Pros
-Decent work/life balance and flexible hours. I have been able to schedule my work around doctor's appointments and make up hours earlier and later as needed. -WFH as needed. I was able to work from home periodically if I had morning appointments or had service/plumbing work being done. I had a boss that worked remotely so she trusted me to get my work done from anywhere at anytime. Other entry/mid-level staff did not have the same privileges so check with your supervisor when you first start your position about expectations for working hours and remote work possibilities. -Good 401K matching (5.5% as of this post in 3/2016) -Nice gym and campus location off of 270 in Rockville, MD -Friendly and laidback coworkers -Good experience working on a variety of federal and private-funded contracts.
Cons
-No clear structure or promotion plan for entry/mid-level staff. Younger workers are likely to leave if there is no incentive of being promoted within 2-3 years of initial hire. -Pay your younger staff more! There is a reason why you are losing younger staff with Masters and PhD degrees to other companies for 20-30% salary increases. You need to readjust your salary scale to match the DC Metro cost-of-living and move away from a model that focuses on length of time spent at company. I have seen people stay as a Research Assistant or Analyst title for years without promotion despite changes in responsibilities. -Slow to implement technology and social media. Computers are out of date, and it took their marketing department years to be allowed to use social media for promoting our firm's work. -Proposal season can be a damper on summer vacation plans. Be prepared to scuttle any time off and out-of-office hours for proposal development. Make sure you plan out vacation time far in advance and make this clear to your project directors.
