Pros
All of the people who work at CollegeTracks are really passionate about the work and students. Everyone understands that we do whatever it takes to advocate for and help students to and through college. Board and volunteers are all equally passionate and get the mission. There’s been a significant effort to provide professional development opportunities, in house professional development for all staff, and national training opportunities for managers. I have been in the non-profit sector for over ten years and know that professional development opportunities are extremely limited for non-profit budgets, and it's great to know that management is supportive of exploring creative ways for employees to find local, inexpensive, online and in-house opportunities. Also, there's actual growth/expansion to other schools in the county so there’s opportunity for the org to build stronger infrastructure, and opportunities for employees to build new skills and grow into leadership positions.
Cons
This is NOT the organization for someone who does not enjoy generating new ideas, re-assessing programs, and thinking through problems with their colleagues and managers! I started working with CollegeTracks when their Success program was still very small – (only two Success Coaches) and there was a lot of room for contributing new ideas, programming, and tools. CollegeTracks is very innovative and always looking for ways to grow and improve programs and student services. Even the Board of Directors has come up with new ways to raise funds and increase the organization’s brand. Not so much a 'con' anymore, but when I first joined CollegeTracks, benefits were limited. Now the organization offers a health care benefit option (the company pays 90% of the employee premium), dental plan, and a long-term disability plan and is making a retirement saving plan option available (with an employee match).