Referentia Systems Reviews

Pros

The best thing about working here was how much I learned on the job and how supportive the team and management were about my development. It gave me an amazing lead in to arguably the best field for an engineer to be in now and onward. Company culture is good, morale is high, and work was exciting. I had two very different but skilled managers who I enjoyed working with and never had any conflicts with any team members. I was also able to move up fairly quickly in pay and position, so it's good to know hard work is rewarded.

Cons

I felt like a slacker if I didn't put in more than 8 hours, but that was entirely in my mind and there was no real pressure. Most people do seem to work longer, though. I know some people feel underpaid. I didn't, but that said I am getting a substantial pay increase for my new job doing similar things. My resignation was largely in order to get back to the mainland.

Pros

-Responsibility given in increments. At the time I was annoyed that it seemed to be going so slow, but I later had a position where a ton of responsibility was dumped on me the moment I walked in the door, so I really appreciated that Referentia gave me a chance to acclimate to the company and the product we were working on before being given more tasks to complete. -Managers seem genuinely interested in you and want to help you succeed. -I felt comfortable approaching my teammates for help when I needed it. I was never left feeling as though I was intruding. -The people in general were very kind to each other, very respectful. -Referentia has a reputation for good quality products, and I was very proud to have contributed. -Free snacks! (Though this could also be a negative!)

Cons

-TONS of meetings. This could be either a positive or a negative, since the constant communication makes it easy to know where the project is going and where you stand. I really don't have too much negative to say. I was there for a short time, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Perhaps if I had stayed longer, more things would come up, but in the time I was there, I was very happy.

Pros

Paid company lunches during company meetings, free company clothing, all the free snacks you could eat. Beer in company fridge available after 5pm. Good health plan. Your co-workers were real, caring people who worked very hard in a team atmosphere. There was a lot of laughter in an easy-going environment.

Cons

Heavy University of Hawaii bias. Internal politics sometimes weren't handled very well. Saw some really good former co-workers who worked very hard and gave a lot to the company leave unhappy with no effort to retain. Some favoritism towards those who were in with upper management (not uncommon, especially in Hawaii). HR rulebook was non-existent because upper management didn't think it was useful. Saw more than a few co-workers leave because pay was low compared to elsewhere.

Pros

Free snacks, an occasional free lunch, very casual dress code, free parking. All the basic perks you'd expect at a tech startup.

Cons

Management frowned upon moonlighting. Working on personal side projects -- even if it was done on your own time -- was discouraged. Also, you may get pulled onto projects that are not in your job description -- such as doing networking configuration

Pros

It's a small company and they work around your needs.

Cons

In a small company ypu have to wear multiple hats. So you learn to be the jack of all trades.