Pros
Some really smart, motivated, dedicated staff. Ability to support various sponsors (customers) and their missions. Great benefits, and facilities.
Cons
I was hoping my experience was unique to my Division but I can tell from other posts and my colleagues that my Division’s experience may be the norm rather than the exception. A year and a half ago a power grab was started by the Portfolio (business development) side of our division. MITRE’s “Shared Leadership” model (Portfolio and Program (execution) working together) has devolved to Portfolio dictating and Program forced to jump. With the “yes” people brought in to the Portfolio this has created a toxic environment where collaboration and sharing have been replaced by whispering and looking over our shoulders. The work has deteriorated as the Portfolio is ill equipped to explain the MITRE value or understand our Sponsor’s needs but refuse to work with the Program side. Portfolio schedule Sponsor meetings without engaging with the Program side and rarely share the outcomes unless it serves their narrative to take more control. On multiple occasions my Sponsor has asked me what MITRE leadership was thinking in these meetings. A very hard question to answer. Myself and many of my colleagues stay because we believe in our sponsor’s mission, having an impact, and remember what MITRE could be like. But every month it becomes tougher and tougher.