Chemonics International Reviews

Cons

No cons of working here.

Cons

Culture is toxic, many ambitious and condescending people. Chemonics will generally offer their minimum salaries to associates and managers (makes very few exceptions), opportunities are generally only available to those in the in-crowd, you can expect to work 65-80 hours a week as a project manager. To succeed at Chemonics, you need to be willing to work these long hours and take on projects outside your normal scope. Note that there is virtually no way to do technical work at Chemonics HQ, nor is there any realistic expectation to do it in the field.

Cons

The work environment here is extremely toxic. Training for managers is non-existent, so entry-level employees have few opportunities for professional growth or meaningful feedback. Managers and higher ups do not want to see lower-level employees do well. You are encouraged to work crazy hours and dissuaded from participating in opportunities for professional development. Management is not at all flexible with schedules. The low pay is not worth the work environment here.

Cons

Lack of Structure and Ability To Communicate Effectively

Cons

Initially, I thought my experience at Chemonics was great, but looking back I realize I was young and didn't know better. You'll make friends with others like you, which was nice -other Type-A professionals eager to change the world. But, the company workaholic culture is not healthy. Everyone hears about it going in, however if you're young, you might not realize you're getting pulled into it. It was only after leaving and gaining other experience that I realize how abused I was. At the end of the day you're a glorified admin assistant filling out paperwork for the government. That list of paperwork never gets shorter. The work culture encourages you to stay late. Work until 7 or 8 at night was common. My worst nights had me working until 1 and 2 am only to wake up and go back in for 9. The salaries are too low for this.

Cons

There is not consistency across teams in terms of opportunities for professional development. Management training is the weakest link in the Chemonics chain. New Managers are thrown these new responsibilities and told to sink or swim, however, it's the Associate on that PMU that ends up suffering if the Manager isn't up to snuff.

Cons

Home office staff are entitle, disconnected from the reality in the field. Bunch of rich boys and girls club looking to save the world. Overwork staff, everyone has to do new business - During proposal season this means 60+ hrs a week

Cons

Can be hard to navigate through the bureacracy
Pay is not great for associates

Cons

Large company, so work experience really depends on what region/division you work in (can vary a lot). Difficult for early and mid-career employees to find the time and opportunities to engage in technical work that is of interest to them as time/energy is consumed by project management (likely on a project you are not interested in technically) - although there are efforts to address this. Also, most people at the company struggle with work/life balance.

Cons

average salary, need better work/life balance