AGU is a place that is very interested in exploring new ideas and is open to experimentation. I thoroughly enjoy working with my own team and with my peers in other departments. It's very exciting and challenging work, and there are all sorts of opportunities to learn about cool science - so if you are a science geek, it's great.
Cons
AGU is very member-oriented and very mission driven. So if you don't really care about science or scientists, you may not get the full value of working there
American Geophysical Union Response
10y
Thank you for acknowledging our openness to experimenting and learning. While you don’t need to be a scientist by training to work at AGU, we agree that those who value our mission and vision are most likely to thrive.
Explore other reviews about American Geophysical Union
Compelling mission that is both inspiring and motivational. Above-average salaries, great benefits. Co-workers who are dedicated to AGU goals and live AGU values. Permanent CEO is open to feedback from all staff, holds open office hours, is transparent. She also devotes time to building good relationships with our volunteers and reminds them about the achievements of the hard-working staff. Government actions have meant lower revenue but she has done a great job growing our international connections.
Cons
Like many nonprofits, AGU is feeling the pain of government actions (i.e. member scientists getting fired and reduced grants going to those who employ our members). That has resulted in staff reductions that hurt - personally and for everyone else’s workload. There are limited promotion possibilities because of few vacancies in upper management.
Pay is competitive
Fridays off during the summer
Flexible
Cons
CEO and upper management are looking out for themselves
Too heavy organization - number of VP’s is greater than some departments.
People fired or laid off at lower levels and the work has to be absorbed by people who are already overloaded
Several bosses are very poor people managers. Their style is borderline abusive and they are bullies and they retaliate if you speak up.
Culture of fear is rampant in the organization.
Opportunities for promotion are non existent - unless you are able to do some serious brown nosing to senior management. Someone need to analyze the meteoric rise of several individuals in a very short amount of tine