Avoid at all costs - Archivist History Associates Employee Review

1.0
Feb 17, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

While the salaries are insulting the benefits aren't bad. If you are lucky you will be hired for a long-term placement in another organization that gets you out of the Rockville office for all but the painful, yet mandatory monthly meetings.

Cons

Too many to include a complete list, but on top of the low salaries, there are practically no opportunities for real advancement and few opportunities to learn skills necessary to advance elsewhere (such as using current collection management software like ArchivesSpace or any digital asset management skills other than perhaps basic scanning and recording info in a basic database). I would also agree with the reviewer who described the senior management (at least some of them) as incompetent and unprofessional and the rampant gossip and favoritism.

Explore other reviews about History Associates

5.0
Mar 18, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great salary and good colleagues to work with!

Cons

No getting to be on more interesting projects. Leads and managers get the load of the work and chances to advance.

3.0
Dec 12, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Projects are a mixed bag, but that's standard for the consulting industry. I had the opportunity to learn about so many topics and grew my research and project management skills quickly. My colleagues were smart, talented, and really amazing people. There are opportunities for remote work, travel, and tons of archival research and writing. The new office is amazing.

Cons

The pay is extremely low and you can't move past Historian unless someone dies. I was told when I started that many people leave around the three year mark when they realize their grown expertise and project management will not be recognized with any significant increases to title or salary. This was said to me with an eye roll as an employee left because they wanted "too much money" and poor little HAI couldn't compete. By the time I left, I was being charged out at 10x my salary and we had celebrated a banner year in profit but they were too strapped to give raises that even matched inflation, let alone recognized achievement. Senior management is disconnected from the actual work employees are doing.

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