Great company to learn from and develop yourself as a professional - Anonymous employee Smithbucklin Employee Review

5.0
Dec 3, 2013
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

SmithBucklin hires very smart and talented people who are always willing to share their knowledge. The company gives employees the opportunity to develop themselves professionally (which includes promotions within) and personally which I have not found at other companies I have worked for. Managers do not micromanage and handhold employees but they are always there to answer questions and/or provide guidance. You own your career, which can be a pro or a con. If you are not comfortable asking for new projects or tasks that you are interested in, how to develop within your career and move up within the company and be proactive in soliciting feedback from your team and supervisors, then this may not be a company for you. Employees are able to get a lot of exposure to senior management very early in their career. Every day is different in terms of work.

Cons

While I really enjoy the culture of SmithBucklin it can be hard to grasp and acclimate to; it is not for everyone, which is okay. The benefits are good but the pay and bonuses are lower than other industries. You need to be a team player and be okay with not always working independently in certain units as people really like to collaborate. Again this can be a pro or a con but this is a fast-paced environment and employees have to be able to multitask and ask for help when needed as we work with multiple clients and have a lot of work and deadlines to juggle for each client.

Explore other reviews about Smithbucklin

5.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great work environment Hybrid work schedule - office and WFH

Cons

Low ceiling for climbing the job ladder.

avatar
Smithbucklin Response
15h
We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. We're glad you enjoy our work environment and hybrid flexibility. We appreciate you sharing your perspective on career growth.
3.0
Jun 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

1. Gaining experience in marketing, communications, editorial operations, project management, time management, organizational skills, and interpersonal communication, which can help you become more competent in those areas, learn what you're good at, like and dislike, progress your career with the company, or use the experience to pursue another role that fits your goals. 2. Working a hybrid schedule with the ability to handle your work on a computer is a great lifestyle and flexibility advantage. Working adjacent to Downtown Chicago is an incredible experience that can bring even more lifestyle, professional, and personal opportunities. 3. Networking and getting to know a diverse group of people in the company and your department is great for relationship building, both professionally and socially. 4. Smithbucklin provides a robust onboarding and professional development program, providing support for advancing your career, feeling more comfortable at the company, and pushing you to grow.

Cons

1. Workloads can be overwhelming if not properly managed. Managing tasks for several clients at once demands a higher level of time management, organization, consistency, and interpersonal communication tolerance (for a great number of meetings, emails, and messages) that seem to be quite challenging for many associates. But if you ground yourself and continue to become efficient at your workflows, you can handle it. 2. Performing work across different clients makes it hard to focus and specialize. You may be more of a generalist starting, but by discovering the industries, clients, and type of work you like, you may be able to carve out a path you want. 3. The work itself, which can consist of executing digital marketing, comms, or editorial operations tasks, can seem underwhelming, and the learning curve may take time, but the tasks themselves are not necessarily difficult.

1
avatar
Smithbucklin Response
4w
Thank you for your feedback. We're glad you valued the professional development opportunities, hybrid work environment and collaborative culture. We appreciate your time with us and wish you success in your future endeavors.
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All