Dupont Reviews in Philadelphia, PA Area

Pros

Work in CR&D as a Principal Investigator gives you a great overview of the many different business units that DuPont has. The hierarchy is relatively flat in the company and you will have the opportunity to interact with senior level management at many occasions. Progression is relatively strict and competitive in CR&D, better in the business units. But after 3-5 years in CR&D you have good opportunities to go into management or technical in a business unit, where progression is faster.

Cons

Some red tape and a lot of meetings. Really good scientists to work with. Vacation time is too low in my opinion.

Advice to Senior Management

CR&D is a great place to work, more than two weeks vacation for recent graduates with a PhD should be the norm

Pros

Job Security is highly promoted

Cons

Limited career advancement opportunities for managers

Advice to Senior Management

Involve middle management in decision making

Pros

Able to work at home office if needed. Benefits and compensation are in the mid-range of other companies.

Cons

Many individuals have been with the company most if not their entire lives. For individuals who are new or with a few years experience, it is very difficult to work here. New thoughts are not welcomed. Little to no career advancement or support to get it. I have known many individuals with talent and drive who have left. I am not far behind.

Advice to Senior Management

Assess management's ability to attract and retain talent. Fix the cultural and structural flaws.

Pros

history of innovative products, good benefits, dedicated workforce - many of whom want to do more but find it challenging with lack of resources.

Cons

top heavy - leadership keep their jobs while the 'worker bees' are cut. Needs leaders with vision - not more managers. safety has evolved to risk aversion. Not a lot of room for growth and development.

Advice to Senior Management

look at and listen to employees, communicate vision - lead don't manage

Pros

The environment at DuPont is wonderful and many of my colleagues are also very good friends. You feel that the company actually cares about their employees and does everything that they can to ensure a non-competitive environment. The quality of research is very high and the programs are challenging.

Cons

There is always bureaucracy in large corporations, which is certainly an issue at DuPont. Things take longer than they should, but they eventually still get done.

Pros

Provides decent salary and benefits.

Cons

Unless you have an advanced degree, the career path is very limited.

Advice to Senior Management

Management should look at your experience and can you perform at your level instead of what degree you hold. Too much emphasis on advanced degrees. Forced bell curves rating systems should be abandoned. You should reward the good people and deal with people that don't meet the job expectations.

Pros

Does not demand very many hours per week if not in management. Many research projects are intellectually stimulating. Many great colleagues.

Cons

Uncompetitive pay and benefits. Uncompetitive compared with more agile and focused competitors. VERY slow to execute. Can be stifling environment for true innovators and entrepreneurial types.

Advice to Senior Management

Make a commitment to be the best again. Go back to the culture of the heyday years. Let the scientists run wild. Put them at the center. Be more like Google or Amyris.

Pros

DuPont really cares about and values its employees. There are many opportunities for development across a wide range of areas and fields.

Cons

Promotions take time to come through.

Advice to Senior Management

Go to the employees for feedback and suggestions before in a crisis mode.

Pros

Good pay, benefits and safe place to work.

Cons

Employees need to receive more incentive to perform at the top of their capabilities.

Pros

Salary, flexibility, opportunity; Resources; Systems approach

Cons

environment does not facilitate creative solutions; One way of thinking; Corporate culture can be stifling; Most decisions are made by managers and leaders not allowing time for leaders to think strategically

Advice to Senior Management

Leave run and maintain decisions to employees; Spend more time thinking strategically; Very optimistic about Ellen's leadership