Pros
- Flexibility & WFH - Some good benefits - Made some good friends (bonding over difficult projects)
Cons
- No growth or skill development: You rarely get work aligned to your experience or interests. In the time I was here, I have gone backwards, not forwards. There has been no exposure to relevant, meaningful, or challenging work. I have done nothing aligned with my experience or ambitions. I no longer have any relevant skills for what I want to do, as I haven't used them in so long. Surprising that a Data consultant does not even see data once. I did not grow technically or professionally. I am way less competitive in the job market now than when I joined. - Interview promises were straight-up lies: I was very clear about my ambitions and asked thorough questions before joining. I was promised relevant work, development, and a clear growth path. None of that happened. I was told that I could plan my career, see upcoming projects, and work on things aligned with my goals, but this was all a lie; no such platform or process exists. None of it happened. You’re constantly strung along with vague feedback and “next time” conversations while decisions are already made behind closed doors or long before the actual discussions happen. There are limited progression opportunities, there is always a new reason or new expectations every round and information is hidden from you to make you unprepared. - Sweatshop-style culture and excessive internal work with no impact: You're just a resource, you get asked to work long hours, late nights, weekends and don't even get a thank you, let alone any other meaningful recognition or compensation. Every project I worked on, I was put under a lot of pressure and put in a lot of work, and was still treated very rudely. You're expected to juggle demanding client work, internal initiatives, and HR-type tasks. Much of this work goes absolutely nowhere and adds unnecessary pressure. Everyone is stretched across too many responsibilities. People don’t respond because they also genuinely don’t have the capacity. - Damaging to health and confidence: The environment contributes to burnout and long-term health issues. I have developed such horrible health issues that I’m still dealing with the impact long after. You feel demoralised, less confident, and professionally stagnant. I feel like I've wasted years of my career. I was so, so, so miserable. I wasn't myself anymore, and everyone around me noticed. I regret joining this company, I wish I never did. - Project allocation is completely broken and biased: there is no transparent resourcing system or visibility of available roles. You must message managers/seniors (like crazy, not a simple/straightforward experience) to find work. This allows favouritism and bias, with roles quietly reserved for preferred individuals. I've had roles hidden from me and being 'forced' into other roles for one's own gain. - No opportunity to stretch or lead: You are often limited to admin or note-taking. Chances to lead meetings, interviews, or initiatives are rare. Growth is discussed but not actually enabled. I had a lot more ownership and opportunities to learn and grow at my entry-level job than here. Even when you shout from the roof about your abilities and that you are willing to and can do more, they don't care. I was objectively capable and super proactive and loud, and I still didn't get any opportunities (even basic ones). - Leadership does not care about you (not even at a human level), they are performative, and there is a serious lack of basic people-management skills: Senior leadership is largely inaccessible, they barely make time for you, and directors are too busy even for 10 minutes. A lot of recent interactions have been dismissive, uninterested or straight-up rude. Forget caring about you personally, they don't even do the professional bare minimum. Senior leaders frequently speak about inclusion and accepting differences, but in practice, people are penalised for personality traits such as being introverted or a bit quiet, even when you lead sessions, present regularly, deliver results, work seriously over time, carry the brunt of the work and are great with clients. There is a clear disconnect between their messaging and behaviour. Plus, many managers seriously lack basic people-management skills, emotionally and professionally. - EVERYTHING is highly political (nothing like I've seen before): promotions, opportunities, recognition, even internal team awards are based on who leadership likes. Performance and results matter less than visibility and personal relationships. It doesn't matter if you do good work or if your client and client team are happy with you. All that matters is "visibility." If you’re not “chummy chummy” with the right people, good luck. - Misconduct and unfair treatment are not addressed: When serious issues are raised, little to no action is taken. Accountability is weak or non-existent.
