A lot of closed doors when you want an answer - Data and Policy Analyst Acumen Employee Review

1.0
Mar 24, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

For someone straight out of college, Acumen will train you. There are a handful of people in Acumen with about 3-5 years of experiences that are Policy Leads or higher so the chance to move up quickly are there.

Cons

The last round of raises averaged 3% across the company which seems to be marking the end of the aggressive raises that many people have come to expect especially since starting salaries are on the lower end. Upper management seems reluctant to talk about the matter. Very few promotions were given over this period also, probably because they were reluctant to give raises. Two of the directors in the company are sons of the owner. Certain departments/teams are more highly regarded/higher profile than others and employees on that team seem to move up much faster than other teams, even though they don't work any harder or are more "talented". Skills developed at Acumen are often Acumen specific and often don't translate well to the marketplace.

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Acumen Response
11y
Thank you for your time. We appreciate all reviews.

Explore other reviews about Acumen

5.0
Apr 18, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- The work is intellectually engaging and gave me many chances to grow technically. - I learned a lot from talented coworkers and appreciated being part of projects with real-world relevance. - There was also good exposure to translating technical work into clear, usable takeaways.

Cons

- The work can be intense and detail-heavy, and deadlines can sometimes feel demanding. - Priorities may shift quickly, which can make it hard to plan ahead. - At times, the volume of revisions and fast pace can be stressful.

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Acumen Response
2mo
We've heard that this type of feedback is helpful to new graduates and prospective applicants, particularly your perspective on the pros and cons of working here. Please continue to share your experiences during your career journey with us. We wish you the best!
2.0
Jul 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You will work with some really nice and lovely people. That is the only pro I can say about this chaotic and disorganized company (this is the most professional way I can describe this company, but know I would like to use much harsher language).

Cons

- Management is disorganized and ineffective. You would think that after 30 years, they would have established systems to avoid negative financial situations. - The C-suite doesn't care about employees; their main focus is on ensuring they and their friends make money. - There are practically no incentives to work here. You will never receive a pay raise, you won't get a meaningful promotion, and you will constantly find yourself doing the work of entry-level employees. - Following two major layoffs within two years, the company made minimal changes to improve its poor financial status. They continue to employ some of the least effective and most costly employees, simply hoping that things will improve. That's not how business operates, but it seems to be the mentality since they predominantly hire their friends.

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Acumen Response
21h
Thank you for sharing your perspective from your time employed at Acumen. We regret that your experience did not meet your expectations, and we acknowledge that the recent layoffs have been difficult for everyone. Your feedback is taken seriously and will be shared with our leadership team as we continue evaluating where processes can be strengthened. We appreciate your input and wish you the very best in your future endeavors.
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