Pros
* Strong junior cohort; some senior colleagues are genuinely good, though often political. * Has a fun vibe often because of above * Good exit opportunities — grad school or better-paying orgs. * Hybrid work is real and consistent.
Cons
Far stronger than pros, unless you are among the favorites. Most negatives are hidden and positive vibes are deceptive. * Associates carry real project weight before they're ready. Long hours are expected, not exceptional. PIPs get used casually — some managers more than others. * PRs function as a control tool. * Loud equity and fairness talk, but Ops protects seniors. Responses can involve subtle gaslighting that only becomes clear later * Senior staff — especially in the US — are cliquey. They back each other's advancement and arrange favourable contracts or titles (see ProPublica filings). * Leadership says it's "not a 9-to-5" but keeps expectations vague. Impact narrative used as justification; often results in burnouts. * Diversity is convenient: most senior leaders are white, come from MPA/ID. Even if some regional/local leaders exist, the Americans dominate the cultural or thought narrative in the org.