Powerlessness and the Stockholm syndrome - Manager Exponent Employee Review

2.0
Nov 1, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Intelligent colleagues from privileged backgrounds, dominant brand and size.

Cons

Hubris and elitism. A select few are groomed because of their "consulting skills" (read: those who look and speak like attorneys), not necessarily their technical acumen (flunked qualifiers, terrible writing and interpersonal skills be damned - you might even make VP). If you are not picked early to be part of the A group in a large office - your chances of success are slim to none. You are more powerless than you realize. Your dreams, aspirations, contributions, mental wellbeing, morale, sincerity and enthusiasm have shrunk to a single row in a spreadsheet that management uses to divine "the story behind the numbers". For a company that preaches the scientific method, employee assessments are based, not on personal knowledge through direct interaction and observations (no time for that when one is killing himself/herself for a bonus with a near 100% UT), but the word of a dominant anointed oracle or two. Speaking up about this just makes management mad and retaliate. I chose the only path I had remaining - to leave. Ask - why is a company headquartered in a place as diverse as the San Francisco Bay area for over half a century - so predominantly white and male? (Currently there is a scramble to promote white women - so you may be in luck).

Explore other reviews about Exponent

5.0
Mar 17, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good benefits and great culture

Cons

Inconsistent workload but partly due to the nature of the business

2
2.0
Jun 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Many consultants successfully use Exponent as a stepping stone to larger tech companies. The project work can sometimes be very interesting and some consultants appreciate overtime and bonuses for long hours (albeit many feel they would earn more overall compensation at larger tech companies).

Cons

The company has very high expectations of its consultants and doesn't always provide the resources necessary to achieve their expectations. In order to grow after the first few years, consultants are generally expected to generate their own business, but some junior consultants feel they are not fairly given credit for business they help bring in. Many consultants feel the performance rewards are too delayed.

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