Pros
When you get to do important work, it is really important and can have a wide impact; however, you have to fight tooth and nail (and often work on your own time) to do this work. I am lucky to have good work/life balance within the organization (thanks to my supervisor). I like my direct coworkers, and get to work often with other kind/smart people. The organization has allowed for full telework during COVID, with flexible telework beforehand. The organization has handled COVID very well. I am sure this was very stressful for decision making parties and am grateful to still have a job. The organization does at least try to address things like systemic racism and equity from the ground up; however, the good intentions are not always enough. This is, of course, hard work, and I appreciate what I've been able to learn about the complexities of doing it while here. Admin staff works their butts off to keep things running. Leadership has good intentions, and they truly do want to do well/create work that positively impacts children & families.
Cons
Luckily, I think most of the cons can be addressed, except for those dealing with the business model. Leadership does not try to retain lower staff; they just assume they will leave for grad school (when really they could develop younger staff). This feels like a missed opportunity for an organization trying to be an alternative to PhD programs. Projects often have very limited funding and are themselves limited. You don't often get to work on what you want to work on or what aligns with your interests. You are pretty subject to the whims of your supervisor/project availability when it comes to your work. Most of the time the work is small-minded and very limited by funders (whether financially or in general scope). The business model (total time accounting; you cannot charge most codes for work not done explicitly on that code) emphasizes doing the research at the lowest cost, which contributes to this mindset/tendency. Leadership claims to be devoted to certain values (valuing race equity internally and in the work produced, promoting work, etc.), but does not always stand by hard decisions or support staff decisions based on directives given. Leadership seems never to take a firm stand on their decisions, unless the decision is to "hold a focus group" or "get more input from stakeholders." Higher level researchers prioritize what will get them money over good/impactful research; they assume that the research they do is important because it gets funded. This is not really their fault; this is supported by the business model. The organization claims to be extremely friendly for family-life balance, but doesn't observe holidays that schools observe (so parents have to work while their kids are off school).