Pros
The mission of this company was a significant draw for me, as it focuses on making a meaningful impact on young lives through STEM education. Many staff members are genuinely dedicated to this mission, approaching their work with passion and a deep commitment to the community. Working here provided valuable insight into the educational system, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the field. The company also takes care of its employees by maintaining a well-stocked kitchen and creating memorable experiences during annual retreats, which foster a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose among the team.
Cons
I have never felt so uncomfortable in a workplace. Education should ideally focus on teaching the basics of math, science, and other core subjects, but instead, I encountered a strong emphasis on social justice agendas among administrators and teachers. Practices like avoiding the use of red pen to highlight errors because it might be "triggering," or refraining from telling kids "no," seem to overshadow fundamental educational goals. In one instance, I learned kindergarteners were crafting "protest posters" as part of their curriculum—an approach that left me questioning the priorities in the classroom. While these practices were facilitated by the teachers who use the company's services, it was concerning that leadership at the company had no objection and even encouraged such practices. It was at this company that I first heard educators referring to Latinos and Hispanics as "Latinx," a term largely rejected by the community it aims to represent, yet used as a default in pedagogy texts and by teachers. A concerning focus on a person's race over merit became evident, particularly when a coordinator selected teachers for a presentation based solely on their last names to ensure racial diversity. The blatant discrimination was both shocking and offensive. When I pointed out that, as a non-white person, I might have been overlooked because my last name doesn't align with typical names associated with my race, my concerns were met with awkward chuckles and dismissal. There's an emphasis of prioritizing racial diversity as much as qualifications, if not more. This isn't surprising considering the trend in California and Silicon Valley, but I had hoped that a company rooted in STEM education would remain more objective and open-minded. The CEO had openly expressed political biases, stating multiple times that "as long as the Democrats win, I'm happy." The company hosts events for "difficult conversations," but these discussions are overwhelmingly one-sided, promoting only certain viewpoints. Materials from radical ideologies, like White Fragility, are enthusiastically endorsed, creating an environment where differing perspectives are neither considered nor feel welcomed. I genuinely enjoyed working with most of the team—they are good people—but the political biases was heavy and pervasive. Working here felt suffocating and toxic, surrounded by colleagues who seemed to view life and education through a singular, politically charged lens, with no regard for heterodox or even right-leaning perspectives. The over-politicization of education at this company was disheartening and left me deeply disappointed.