Chemonics International Reviews

Pros

Great capacity building through hands on experience for anyone who's willing to put in the work. Great people to work with - people who are passionate about being catalysts for change in the world. Executive management team who care about their staff. Great benefits and acceptable salaries.

Cons

Lacks formal leadership training at all levels. Easily allows for poor work/life balance.

Pros

None come to mind. I wake up from nightmares that I still work here with jaw pain and stomachaches.

Cons

Where do I even begin? This is the downright most hostile and toxic workplace I've worked in, ever. If you are reading this, don't look away, HR floods this place with positive reviews but the low ones are telling the truth. While I worked there I was bullied, gaslighted, and so stressed I had to start seeking therapy. If upper management decides they like you, then you're set. If not, which forever reason, I was not, they will make your life miserable until you quit or are let go. You cannot trust anyone here to tell you the truth, that is if anyone even talks to each other in your region. The office does not encourage friendly co-mingling and will make mention of work/life balance, while assigning you so much work you simply cannot leave before 7:30. Working there, as many of my colleagues have mentioned, is like being in an abusive relationship. They will overwork you, ignore your concerns (if you're brave enough to raise them), and gaslight you into thinking that you are the problem. They try and sweeten the deal with travel opportunities but with COVID-19, I would doubt that being their "get out of jail free" card. It's a super homogenous culture of white 20 somethings all competing for what exactly, I'm not sure. Despite working in countries across the world, the staff is overwhelmingly white, myself included. The few BIPOC who are hired are stuck at lower management at best, or a support division. The "important" roles are all white men, maybe a few women who only help uphold the oppressive and toxic work environment. You will be expected to work nights and weekends and refusal to do so or have any form of work/life balance will end up in you being actively blockaded from opportunities for growth. You will be laughed at for going on vacation or utilizing your vacation time when sick. I actively had people tell me that I went out of office too much because I took one week long vacation. You will be micro-managed within an inch of your life here, and expected to take it and be grateful to work here. There are much better and more profitable companies to work at in international development, and Chemonics is a sinking ship. They will pay you more and respect your personal growth and development. Do not work here unless you'd like to try and find an available therapist in the Washington, D.C. metro area.