SRA International Reviews

Pros

Company that stands by it's motto: Honesty and Integrity. Career development and growth opportunities. A company that values it's employees.

Cons

Working at a geographically separated location sometimes hampers career growth or opportunity.

Pros

Company seems to want to do the right things, but is lost on how to get there.

Cons

POOR MANAGEMENT, POOR MANAGEMENT, POOR MANAGEMENT. Politicking is very high!! If they like you, you get promoted, it is not based on work performance or productivity. Lots of gossiping and backstabbing. No appreciation for a job well done or even a thank you. Lots of money wasted on pseudo employee events and networking that amounts to nothing. Honesty and service? I dont think so.

Advice to Senior Management

Maybe the new CEO can finally get a handle on things and revamp the management team. Promotions should be based on doing the right thing, not brown nosing.

Pros

Good company, good pay and good benefits

Cons

Some project lead is very dishonest.

Pros

Excellent people to work with.

Cons

Being a Federal contractor can be frustrating at times. Projects are not always focused on providing value.

Pros

Management is very supportive of staff, many opportunities for knowledge sharing, many opportunities for growth

Cons

At times, on site employees feel forgotten

Pros

Good compensation, higher than average hourly rates for contract employees (depending on level)
Contract are generally long-term: 1-3 years usually -- but can change at a moment's nootice
Good benefits package and excellent PTO if you are an FTE, not a contract employee -- Contract employees are not eligible for benefits or paid PTO
Smart, talented, professional colleagues

Cons

My SRA tenure was with 2 outside of DC offices, so my experiences are skewed to there.

I've worked at SRA twice now, and I would never, ever, ever go back. First time was when my company was bought and we were assured the office would remain open and we'd keep our jobs. A year later 95% of us were gone,

Not withstanding my initial experience, several years later I found myself between jobs and responded to an SRA ad for what seemed like the perfect job.. After a 3-month hiring process, I showed up for Day 1, Orientation.

My SRA Round 2 experience was tortured at best, and they can't pay me enough to go back, but here is some advice:

As an employee, *before you start*, preferably before you say yes to HR, get the job offer in writing, in blood if you have to, spelling out *exactly*:

1) Your title, job description, and salary/ hourly rate
2) Whether you are full time or contract -- unfortunately FTE can change to contract or part-time contract once you show up
2) Date you'll start
3) Your job responsibilities and duties
4) That there is actually work there for you to do on Day 1 -- you may be sent home after Orientation Day to wait until work appears
5) The length of the contract
6 ) How many hours/ week you can bill on your timesheet (i.e. be paid for) vs. hours you are expected to "work"

Also, if your'e working a contrract, keep job hunting, You never know when the contract will end or when you may be laid off.

And be prepared to leave immediately if you give notice, even if you give SRA 2-weeks notice.

Advice to Senior Management

Actually hire full-time employees, not just full-time for the life of a contract -- your intellectual capital turns over every 2 years or so,.
Find employees work when a contract has finished, don't just lay them off and 1-3 months later hire an entire new batch (see above).
The bottom line is not always the most important thing - don't bid on contracts without having the expertise to actually perform them. Don't low ball contract just to win and then make employees work off the books.
Make your outside of DC employees feel like they are part of the company, not interchangeable cogs in the machine.
Do not promote people with zero people skills to managerial positions -- if the staff can't stand them there *is* a reason -- don't reward bad behavior/ bad management with promotions
Do not promote people solely on the basis of longevity -- competency matters.
Work/ life balance is important. Mandatory Sat and Sun telephone conferences every week about project status is not good management.

Pros

Competitive pay, great benefits, helpful

Cons

Can get lost in shuffle. Limited growth opportunities. No strong sense of belonging.

Advice to Senior Management

Recognize talent, encourage and foster a culture of mentoring, promote work/life balance.

Pros

SRA promote employees to have work and life balance. The stress level from work is low compare to other places I have worked for. My overall experience here is fairly positive.

Cons

SRA is in the process of being purchased by a private equity firm. After the transaction is complete, things might change.

Pros

Ethics, Quality Work, client satisfaction.

Cons

Business based on government budgets with can be risky.

Pros

My coworkers are honest and ethical - they are hard working and very intelligent
Work/life balance
good health benefits
flexible work sites/telecommuting available (for some projects and positions)
Laid back and easy-going culture
ethical on-site PMs
opportunity for advancement

Cons

I have been on two field/contract positions as well as a corporate position to date.
Fair Lakes corporate office is definitely the place to be -- staff (including the onsite PM) out on a project and "in the trenches" are fending for themselves

Poor compensation: Make sure you get the $$ you want AT HIRE and in writing because the raises are abysmal

Lack of clear direction and focus from senior management -- this definitely feels like a company going through growth pains

Advice to Senior Management

The bottom line isn't everything - not every contract win is good for the company. Some deals are bad business deals.... stop underbidding and over promising and then passing on the consequences to your onsite staff

Pay your people at least their fair market value or you will continue to lose dedicated and talented staff -- no matter how many other benefits you offer.....