Misguided nonprofit with suffocating culture - Corps Member City Year Employee Review

2.0
12 July 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Meet some interesting people, gain experience working in schools that need a lot of help. Get to plan and organize volunteer events in the community. A good opportunity to work with children and learn about teaching. You get a unique view of the problems that face public schools in America today.

Cons

Awful, suffocating, cult-like culture that is embarrassing to anybody with self-respect. Basically a year-long summer camp. Organization tries to straddle the fence by achieving results in the classroom and hiring unqualified individuals who become "professional development" projects. This just results in a lot of lazy and inexperienced workers quitting or getting fired. What a joke.

Explore other reviews about City Year

5.0
29 Jan 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Community, connection, support, and its a great place for recent graduates to go until they figure the next step.

Cons

You won't make a lot of money.

4.0
22 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You do very meaningful work and the staff truly care about you and what you are doing.

Cons

School placements can be quite far from where you live, and the days are long (7:30 am - 5 pm). Often is exhausting, but you stay for the kids.

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