Unsure of future growth opportunities - Associate R&D Engineer Dow Employee Review

3.0
19 Jul 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

One can gain a lot of experience, learn a lot, and make good connections if you are proactive. There are many great people to work with here, and they offer 9/80 and 4/10 schedules, as well as other flexible schedules if worked out with HR and your supervisor.

Cons

Because the last big hiring period of technical people was 20+ years ago, there is a lack of training programs and on-boarding procedures that leave many young hires frustrated if they do not know how to network and ask the right people for help whenever needed. The company also seems to be set on a course where R&D is not appreciated as much as it was before - leaving many unsure if there really are opportunities for growth. Location is a big con if you are not a small town living kind of person

Explore other reviews about Dow

5.0
16 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Culture and the technical expertise within the company provide for a working environment where you don't work in silo and everyone is willing to help support you

Cons

Administrative systems can be burdensome to overcome.

2.0
22 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Safety culture, flexibility (although less and less over time). Good health insurance and 401k match

Cons

Dow’s recent years illustrate the challenges of trying to simultaneously satisfy Wall Street’s demands for strong financial performance and aggressive DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) priorities. The company has heavily emphasized inclusion initiatives, including its openly gay CEO publicly sharing that coming out was one of the best days of his life in an internal communication, along with a notable increase in women appointed to senior leadership roles. Hiring practices reportedly require diverse candidate slates—including female candidates—and diverse interview panels before filling positions. These efforts, while well-intentioned, appear to have contributed to a series of questionable strategic decisions. Employees have borne the brunt through repeated rounds of layoffs (including significant cuts announced in recent years), minimal merit increases often in the 2-3% range, stalled promotions, and little turnover at the top levels of leadership. Senior executives seem insulated from the consequences, potentially overlooking how these factors—including their own leadership—may be central to the company’s ongoing struggles.

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