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USS Constitution Museum

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Amazing people, terrible management - Anonymous employee USS Constitution Museum Employee Review

3.0
12 Sept 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The people here (not senior management) are just amazing. They are the absolute best part of working at the museum, as the staff here is so passionate and dedicated about their work. These are people who work very hard, with such heart, but unfortunately for little compensation. I did really enjoy being a part of the mission of educating the public about our country's history and its ship of state, and it can be a beneficial experience as long as you don't need much money and don't stay too long.

Cons

This museum has been around for over 40 years, and some of the senior managers have been around for much of that time (the president has worked here for 30 years). Unfortunately, there is a clique in the ranks of the senior management team of those who have been with the company a long time. They were part of the organization when it was tiny, but they haven't grown with the museum over time. They aren't competent leaders, and don't show any real concern for their staff or listen to any feedback. This kind of leads talent to look for the exit after a while. There was a lot of turnover in the time I worked there and some really heartless decisions made by leadership that essentially threw dedicated staff under the bus and led to their dismissal. The insular and insincere upper managers are the only thing wrong with the museum (other than the 30 old, privileged businessmen on the board). It really is a shame that a few people can ruin something that many good people have contributed so much toward.

Explore other reviews about USS Constitution Museum

4.0
20 Nov 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The people, the hours, lots of opportunity to learn

Cons

Some of the museum upper management can be difficult to work with

3.0
29 Oct 2014
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a more dedicated group of individuals working together to further a single cause. The employees are what make the USS Constitution Museum possible - they put in an extraordinary amount of time and effort into their work with little opportunity for personal or professional advancement.

Cons

Compensation is low, even for a nonprofit. To their credit, the Museum does try to compensate with a decent benefits package, but it doesn't make up for substandard salaries in a city with a high cost of living. Unfortunately, there's little administrative support for employee growth - employees fund professional development courses, workshops, and conferences largely out of pocket, and the organization is structured such that vertical movement is impossible. The truly troubling downside, however, is the senior management. Nearly every person in administration has been with the Museum in excess of 15 years, and while that can be a benefit in some organizations, it's created a toxic administrative culture at the Museum. Senior management is disorganized, cliquish, and overwhelmingly non-receptive to outside input or innovation, leading to high rates of employee dissatisfaction.

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