Working at McMaster is like being part of a business management experiment—you do as instructed without any knowledge of motivating factors. They DO host a "pep rally" once or twice a year to share a management-approved view of the big picture, but most days, management direction is nonsensical.
The work is not as described in interviews. It's not challenging; it's boring. The environment is highly critical, which would be fine if it improved the work product, but it's usually just micromanagement. Plus it's often obvious that people giving feedback have barely reviewed the material, if at all. It's insulting.
About 80% of management is under 35 years old, which just feels weird. Let's be honest—there is some value in the wisdom that comes with age, even if McMaster refuses to acknowledge it. About a third are decent managers, a third muddle through, and the remainder make life more difficult for everyone else. Managers are treated as brilliant problem solvers wielding strategic genius, while non-managers are just cogs in the machine. Nearly all the employees in all roles are quite smart, so the "cog treatment" is demeaning.
There are three ways to advance at McMaster: 1) begin your employment as an "MD" on the management development track, 2) establish yourself as the pet of an "MD" on the management development track, or 3) be a likeable male in the right place at the right time. For consideration, your clothing style and body type must look like a page in a J. Crew catalog. If you're female and not an MD, #2 is your only possibility for advancement.
Basically, this is a great job to have for about 5 years, so you can get a good start on your retirement savings. But then you need to move on before you begin to doubt your skills and value. Because after some time, you will be beat down. It's just difficult to walk away from the compensation. I thought I could treat this as "just a job" and get my fulfillment outside work, but I'm too affected by the toxic atmosphere.
