CoBank Reviews

Pros

I've loved working here. Everyone is so welcoming and helpful and cheerful. We all support each other and want each other to succeed. They give us the tools we need to do our job well. They are always welcoming to input and questions. I'm looking forward to a long career here. Opportunities for advancement and great pay and benefits.

Cons

None that I can think of.

Pros

Total compensation packages People oriented leadership (employees are highly valued) Promotion opportunities Good work and life balance

Cons

None really, I can’t think of any cons.

Pros

Great people, flexible schedule, good benefits, aesthetic building, gym and cafeteria onsite, good company mission

Cons

Some of the enterprise leaders in IT and Data should not be in their position of authority. They have toxic management style and use intimidation as their primary mode. Most efforts move slow because these managers are ambitious, top load projects, but have no sense of how to develop teams and have adequate capacity. Some of the SVP should actually be individual contributors, they are condescending, and brats with little self awareness about how teams are responding. Managers are always in meetings. They expect employees to learn from consultants. There is really not much coaching or directing from managers, expect for more work being directed downwards, with no plan to improve how the work will be delivered. All managers who want to make a difference are overworked, which leaves little time or ability to build and develop a culture that can produce results. Project which should take months end up taking years. These projects are haphazardly added to plates and we are expected to deliver. Please be careful when considering CoBank. Work/life balance is a myth.

Pros

- There are many sweet, kind, amazing people there. - Nice building - Flexible schedule depending on your department

Cons

- CoBank absolutely LACKS the resources and mental health training required to truly accommodate those with disabilities, especially mental illness and personality disorders. They preach the utmost concern for taking mental health seriously, but don't follow through with that. They say that you can request accommodations, but don't dare request something that would actually help. Instead, they'll just tell you that you need to "work harder", "you have so much potential", and my personal favorite - "if you just applied yourself a bit more, you'd be a rockstar". GIVE ME A BREAK. - My direct supervisor made me feel bad about taking two sick days off (I NEVER called off from work). - LACK OF TRAINING - After being with CoBank for almost two years, my direct supervisor left serious gaps in the training for myself and my team. She has since moved on from the position. It is when she left that management realized we were not being taught nearly HALF of what we were supposed to have learned. - You will be put down by management for requesting extra help or explanation. My requests for help or insight always led to snide comments about how I "should really know this already" depsite having never been taught it. - Cliquey and insular culture. Swear it was like stepping back into high school. There is a weird "elite", "exclusive" attitude that permeates the entire culture. - If you don't "belong", you will eventually be pushed out, regardless of your quality of work. (Piece of advice - don't mention your sexual orientation. Execs have been pushed out because of this before. They will also sit you near all of the other LGBTQ+ people so they can keep you all in one area.)

Pros

Good benefits and 401K matching

Cons

IT leadership is extremely toxic, requiring ongoing night, weekend and holiday work. Teams are constantly understaffed and overworked, and management thinks hiring temporary contractors is the solution. People are consistently told to perform job duties that are above their pay and titles without receiving promotions. IT leadership consists of a large clique of former Janus employees who have driven out most other leaders. The bonus structure is a carrot dangled in front of you, but no matter how much work you do above and beyond your role, they do not give the upper level bonuses. Through attrition, IT has promoted several managers who have no experience or acumen for actually managing people. They micromanage, condescend, abuse employees time, and set impossibly unrealistic goals for employees based on promises they have made to leadership without consulting with business resources or their team members. HR does not represent their employees interests, they are only there to protect their toxic leadership.

Pros

If you have a passion to make a difference in the rural and agricultural communities CoBank is the place to be. Management, coworkers, work environment, compensation, and benefits are all +++!

Cons

I am in the Denver office. If you are new to a metropolitan area the traffic can get some getting used to. CoBank currently allows telecommuting which helps. Flex schedules are also a great way to deal with traffic. Try to locate in the South Denver area and you will be fine.

Pros

Good benefits Good Bonus Good Employee recognition Good training Flexible regarding in office and remote work

Cons

Headquarters / HR is located out of Minnesota Poor Direction by Management Stressful Atmosphere Sometimes atmosphere can be toxic among coworkers - no "team" feeling Long Hours

Pros

Serving rural America is the mission.

Cons

Very politically correct, burnout is inevitable, and they don't care.

Pros

CoBank has a great mission, to work directly with farm cooperatives and rural initiatives. The customers and team at CoBank are exceptional and people truly like working here. There are great training opportunities to allow you to succeed at your job.

Cons

The organization is complex and it takes time to learn about the Farm Credit System and CoBank in order to fully appreciate the mission.

Pros

Good Company to work for.

Cons

Could handle procedures better than they did