MIT Reviews

I have been working at MIT full-time for more than 3 years

Pros – Too high expectations in teaching and research laboratories.

Cons – Very good reputation and exceptional students.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

I have been working at MIT full-time for more than 8 years

Pros – Friendly and easy work environment. Lot of opportunities to improve and hone your skills. Learn new skills on the job.

Cons – Raises are terrible and not based on performance ! Carrier growth is limited to somebody leaving and then getting a promotion.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at MIT full-time for more than a year

Pros – Excellent health facilities at MIT Medical
Great Internet facilities
Lots of social events for families
A lot of opportunity to learn
Very good gym

Cons – For Research Assistants depending on professor work can be really hard, long hours
Sometimes RA's are asked by advisor against taking good classes

Advice to Senior Management – Focus on making your coursework more comprehensive and rigorous (It is pretty good, but it can be improved more)

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

I have been working at MIT

Pros – The close proximity to some of the leading groups in almost every area of science and engineering cannot be understated. I've had the privilege of working with leaders in mathematics, chemical engineering, and materials science, in very cross-disciplinary work.

Cons – The pressure put on junior faculty to produce research can be at times overwhelming, both for the faculty member and research group members.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I worked at MIT

Pros – * at least in my dept. work/life balance was respected
* lots of vacation time and many paid holidays including an extra day at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and some years, New Years, too.
*interesting people, fascinating science and opportunities to hear lectures
* extremely talented people to learn from
* fantastic location on the Charles river
* gold standard labs and science

Cons – * can be very bureaucratic with inside politics
* not always great feedback to help guide performance
* some labs were lax in following the rules, providing bad examples to others
* loss of big picture, focussed on project at hand
* campus area can be dangerous at night and early in the morning

Advice to Senior Management – Providing consistent feedback to employees (good and bad) can help them improve with time and avoids surprises at exit interviews.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I worked at MIT

Pros – There are many young scientists for graduate students to look up to; collaboration is encouraged; work-life-balance is definitely possible if you make the effort.

Cons – It seems that, with waning student acceptance rates, students are accepted who don't fit the description of the desired graduate student by scientists needing to expand their labs/research teams. This can be a great opportunity for some, but potentially a very non-ideal career move for others.

Advice to Senior Management – Management of the MIT/WHOI program by the academic office is great; there are always people there who really want you to succeed.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at MIT

Pros – Great people, great science, lots of great seminars.

Cons – In general the facilities aren't great for such a prestigious university. Benefits are pretty bad especially for postdoctoral fellows.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at MIT

Pros – -Amazing and brilliant people
-Opportunity to have your work publicized by the media
-Flexibility of schedule and working hours (though they are long)

Cons – -Long work hours
-Not much feedback on performance
-Academia is very political, lots of egotism at top university
-Poor food options around campus

Advice to Senior Management – Invest in more opportunities for student growth, startup mentoring, allowing people to take their IP that comes out of the Institute and start companies with it.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I worked at MIT

Pros – Working at MIT lets you learn and network with top notch colleagues. In addition, you'll have access to some of the best facilities in the world, with reputational access to funding sources.

Cons – high cost of living area
cold climate
sub-par compensation

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at MIT

Pros – It is the best recognized institute in my field.

Cons – It is a competitive environment.

Advice to Senior Management – Just go on doing the good work that you are doing.
Have less administrative staff and bureaucracy.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend