Chemonics

[Anonymous]

Does anyone work here? Whats the company like? Good compensation and benefits?

please tell.

[Anonymous]

My friend used to work there and called it "Demonics". If that tells you anything.

She said generally good people, good mission but thought there was work-life balance issues (to put it nicely).

I'm sure a current employee could give you a broader perspective.

[Anonymous]

A recent thread about it basically summed it up by saying it was a soul crushing god awful place to work.

[Anonymous]

They churn through younger people pretty fast. I think the folks that work for them in the field have a longer lifespan. A decade ago when I was seriously looking they didn't really bring mid-career professionals in, everyone started at the same low level and worked their way up.

That being said, if you don't have a lot of experience it can be a way to get some.

[Anonymous]

i hear pretty bad reviews, even as compared to groups like TetraTech and DAI.

[Anonymous]

I did some temp work there years ago. It's owned by the French government and there were some young French nationals there who are getting credit toward their required public service. They could do military or work for one of the French owned firms (things may be different now, this was more than a decade ago). I liked the young French guys, the others not so much. The work life balance seemed like any private American company, which was interesting since it was French. I would have expected more balance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did some temp work there years ago. It's owned by the French government and there were some young French nationals there who are getting credit toward their required public service. They could do military or work for one of the French owned firms (things may be different now, this was more than a decade ago). I liked the young French guys, the others not so much. The work life balance seemed like any private American company, which was interesting since it was French. I would have expected more balance.

You have no idea what you are talking about. I'm no fan of Chemonics, worked there 2004-2008, but they are employee owned, not owned by the French govt.

[Anonymous]

My friend who worked there called it a chapter of the American University alumni association.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend who worked there called it a chapter of the American University alumni association.

Also doesn't really ring true. Lots and lots of returned peace corps volunteers however.

[Anonymous]

Former employee here and I agree with PP's (except the French comment). Great people, very difficult to achieve work life balance, some level of job insecurity. Pay for as ok, not great. Benefits were typical private sector (not great).

[Anonymous]

The French company is Cogema, not Chemonics.

[Anonymous]

I worked there for 3 years @2003-2006. I was an RPCV like 75% of the young employees. You'll learn ALOT about the beltway machine of contract management for USAID. Got to do some cool travel, but that was the least they could do for the hours and hours and weekends and hours spent working there for pennies. That said, fond memories, learned a great deal and great people.

[Anonymous]

Well, Im clearly in the minority here, but I worked there for over 12 years. Its a great company filled with smart, talented and dedicated people. It does require you to work -- a lot. So do the competitors (I now work at another one) by the way. Its just the industry. I think its a great company and far better than where I am now, where things are poorly run and based on personality.