Westat reviews

little opportunity for advancement, unwilling to allow current employees try their hand at positions within the company requiring different qualifications, management does not listen to the needs of current employees, too much oversight for each project -- too many managers

Only one track for promotion presented to me which is note-taking for client meetings, and fragmented budget process, no mentoring or training. Senior people still run client meetings and make decisions so real opportunity for leadership. Very top-heavy environment and completely dependent on senior people to get on proposals and give you work and decide what role you play. Lines are not clear as to what you can initiate. Pressure to work on more than one project and then you are not treated same as FT people who get more perks. Everyone works on billable hours so pressure to be always busy, bill to multiple projects, and have enough work which results often in OT but no "comp" time arrangement. If you raise issues or questions about process with clients, there can be internal repercussions. Depends on client, but regulations and constraints make hard to do job effectively.