Pros
- Free lunch everyday - Healthcare is covered - Interesting IP, though they'll make you think you can't get it anywhere else which is untrue
Cons
I have no hard feelings toward anyone at CRA but decided to write a review not to vent my frustrations with working here, but rather--to prevent other people with similar values and expectations from making the same mistake I did. Had I read more honest reviews online I might not have accepted the job offer. For a firm that has such an emphasis on relationships and internal communication, it's quite ironic that internal relationships at CRA lack as much as they do. Generating revenue is prioritized above all else. The moment that other MDs or Partners think you aren't "commercial" enough, or don't have potential to make money for the firm and be an MD someday, you will be asked to leave--at any level, RA or Consultant. The interview process is anywhere from 7-9 rounds, and they have rejected dozens of great talent because they "are not sure if there is MD potential," which would take 4-6 years to be promoted into, regardless. There are less than 60 full-time employees at CRA and since January of this year, over 10 people have left. The Research team had 6 people total at the start of 2019 and within 3 months, 3 of them had left. Let the numbers speak for themselves--this is not a good place to work. No matter what role you're in (except for professional staff), expect to work at the very minimum 50 hours a week. Even at the lowest-paid RA role, you can expect to work weekends and be on-call 24/7. This is not an exaggeration- you are expected to be available for your MD and team at all times, and this is made clear once you join (but not during the interview process). Most MDs work 14+ hour days on average. You are not encouraged to use PTO days. Even when coworkers go on vacation, it's common to bring work, and it's expected you'll be available on vacation if an emergency comes up. There is a commitment to all clients that every deliverable is error-free (which is a great standard, in theory). Anything less than perfection internally is also intolerable. It's hard to imagine the kind of stress this puts on employees until you're in the situation; even emails sent to certain MDs and Partners need to get "proofed" before sending. In the case that you make a mistake, know that you will draw irate and unreasonable reactions. I echo the review below from 2+ years ago that says, "CRA does not provide development for young talent -- you are expected to fit their mold and play along with their politics with little to no coaching or mentoring. They tend to let go nearly half of their newly-hired Research Assistants around their one-year mark. People who stay and are successful there are people willing to go with the herd, mold into a certain personality, and not challenge anything or anyone in the company." They say there's a very "specific skillset" to become an MD that not everyone has--but the truth is, you just have to allow yourself to be groomed into the exact mold they want in order to get promoted here. If you thrive in high-stress, demanding environments and don't care for a work/life balance, this would be a great place for you. But if you're not willing to make work your entire world, you cannot succeed here.