Pros
I left Brakethrough after working there for a year because I moved away from Los Angeles. One thing I appreciated about my time there was the supportive culture exemplified by employees in the company, from the Research Associates straight up to the President. Beyond being friendly and kind, they are genuinely good people. I came to work most days knowing I would be challenged. While it could be frustrating at times, it was extremely rewarding to see improvement. When I made mistakes, I was coached and guided on the right way. When I did well, management offered recognition and praise. Management was often open to and encouraged new ideas and initiatives. Even as an entry level employee, I was given the opportunity to be a major contributor on projects and take initiative in other areas like helping design an employee recognition program, the "Brakethrough of the Month." Another great benefit was the exposure to a variety of research methods, big name clients, and really talented researchers. In a small company, you're allowed to wear a lot of different hats and learn things at an accelerated rate. Being surrounded by such talented people made it seem like I got several years of experience in only a year. Despite working in a different industry now I continue to use the skills learned at Brakethrough on a daily basis.
Cons
The startup style of the company left something to be desired by way of formal structure, policies, and procedures. Another downside was the detail-oriented nature of the work and heavy computer time. I often left the office with headaches. If you have trouble with small details or focusing, this might not be the company for you.
