Pros
All the perks of the best design firms: In-house lectures, art exhibits, happy hours, you name it. Academic-tinted firm with close ties to interesting research going on at Harvard and MIT (which are feeder schools to the firm). Many amazing designers, with a number of standout professionals who I'm honored to call my coworkers. The firm’s software development group, “Sasaki Strategies,” is an industry leader. Open, casual, and relaxed atmosphere in a restored mill along the Charles River. A full range of ages represented, with young people looking to make friends and older folks open to mentoring opportunities (this coming from a younger perspective).
Cons
Very high turnover for those under age 30. Few young employees make it past the 2 year mark; work-life balance is a very real problem, as is recognition of contributions from junior level staff. Never ending deadlines foster a high stress environment (no overtime pay, nor a comp time policy). Very poor staffing and management processes that result in unexpected weekends in the office, overstaffed employees, and under-budgeted projects. Management of the company will always be a pawn to "design" in this office (some think that's good, some do not). If you are not a planner/designer, you are a [far] second class citizen. Opportunities for growth and recognition within the Marketing, IT, and Accounting teams are, plain and simple, very poor. The executive leadership team is inexperienced (fact) and it shows (opinion). The firm recently went through a leadership overhaul and there have been serious missteps throughout that process, some of which resulted in the departure of folks who many considered to be the firm's best designers. If you are popular with this new leadership group, Sasaki is a great place to be. But if you make waves or speak out, good luck to you.