Job Title: Research Associate
Location: Washington, DC
Submitted on: 07-Mar-04
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The Corporate Executive Board has four offices in downtown DC (the two
largest being 2001 K and 2000 Pennsylvania Ave). Research groups are
housed together, along with separate floors for sales people. Although
working in a cubicle is not many a college grad's dream, they are,
believe it or not, not so bad - windows along the exterior of the floor
let in a lot of light, you have your own name plate, computer, misc.
office supplies, and the space itself is open. Each floor also has
a "pantry" with free coffee, hot chocolate, tea, plastic utensils, and
filtered water. Add that to the preponderance of bagels, deli food,
etc. that always seem to be around, and you could make it through the
day without stepping outside of the office. There are pool and fussball
tables to let off steam and stare at something other than a computer
screen!
Everyone looks busy and walks fast around CEB. This is not an act.
There is a lot of work and "swinging by a cubicle to chat" is just not
done. Depending on your ability to organize and prioritize, the
workload is manageable, not to mention challenging if you delve deeper
into the research than is required and enjoyable if you're placed into a
research group that holds your interest/matches your background
already.
If you're transitioning right out of undergrad or just work better in
comfortable clothes (of which I am one), the dress code should be
counted as a real perk. Jeans are worn nearly every day, along with
casual shoes (helps if you're traveling in on the metro or bus), and
whatever else suits your style or the amount of time you had that
morning. Especially in research, I doubt that anyone would care or
notice if you wore the same clothes each day - you are assessed truly on
your brains, research and writing abilities.
According to casual observation, not many come into the office before
8:30 and few stay past 5:30. It is not the norm, however, to go out to
lunch or take an official lunch hour. Most pack a lunch, eat at their
desk, and do lighter work or personal emails, doctor appt. calls, etc.
during that time.
There is a great deal of diversity along gender, race, and cultural
lines. The only common equalizer is a fine (read: expensive)
undergraduate education. Everyone studied abroad, everyone had top-name
internships, and everyone keeps up with the news, current political
situation, etc. - a by-product of CEB's location.
The opportunities for advancement are probably better here than anywhere
else. I have the impression and have seen the proof of working for a
very short amount of time (usually around one year), and then being
promoted according to more senior-level research or managing people in a
management role. CEB is serious about promotions and keeping employees
at the company.
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