MIT Reviews

Cons

the salary is a bit low, hard to rent a studio in the kendall square

Cons

Tight reseach schedule, average compensation.

Cons

Not much turnover so career advancement can be limited in some cases.

Cons

Can be overwhelming at times.

Cons

Can move slowly compared to industry

Cons

In my experience at CSAIL, I observed challenges within the Management and HR departments. Specifically, individuals such as Gretchen Jones, who held a managerial position, and Stephan from internal HR, contributed to a less-than-ideal work environment. Gretchen Jones, in particular, exhibited a reluctance to engage in effective management practices. She demonstrated impatience when faced with inquiries, preferring to provide information once and then disengage from any ongoing support or guidance. Over the course of my seven months with the organization, I noted four instances of team members departing from her team, indicative of a management approach that prioritizes avoidance over active leadership. While maintaining a pleasant demeanor in personal interactions, Gretchen's conduct in meetings revealed a harsh and backstabbing disposition. Similarly, Stephan, the HR representative present in many of our meetings, appeared disengaged and unhelpful. His consistent refrain of not understanding the specifics of my role, coupled with a passive stance of mere observation, suggested a lack of substantive support. It became evident that Stephan functioned more as a conduit for Gretchen's perspectives, rather than an advocate for employee well-being. In my attempt to address these concerns, I found myself standing alone, as others remained silent, perhaps due to a culture of secrecy surrounding such matters. Even other managers appeared aware of Gretchen's management style but chose not to intervene. In conclusion, my experience with management and HR at CSAIL has been unsatisfactory, and I hope for a more proactive approach to addressing these issues to create a healthier work environment.

Cons

MIT's challenges can feel quite contrived

Cons

Salary, compute, students leave for industry

Cons

Lack of representation/voice at the institute level. Pay is a little low for housing options close to mbta, but there's not enough parking for most people to commute via car.

Cons

Usually, there is little room to grow; challenges depend on the project and particular PI. Once the milestones of a project have been reached, the work can get boring, and low-level tasks start to come up.