Pros
With the stability of a decade, and the opportunities of a start-up, Due West is a truly special job (and life) opportunity. Most, if not all, roles draw on a combination of education, mentorship, writing and editing, and business skills. It is the perfect launching pad for a variety of careers in all of these sectors, and many former Due West-ers leave to pursue graduate degrees. In in the meantime, you’ll get to live a comfortable life in one of the most dynamic and exciting global metropolis. But regardless of which of these skills is most appealing to you (be it business or writing or just getting to work with students), you’ll develop valuable skills in editing, project management, and client management. What is most special about the company is that you’ll have freedom to carve your own path, with resources and guidance there to back you up. In my two years at the company, this balance of freedom and access to resources fundamentally transformed my business self. I learned crucial skills about managing a team, while also learning about myself. A large part of this is because the founders of this company and its managers are deeply invested in the individual growth of their employees. This investment takes many different shapes—from allowing employees to pilot programs of their own creation, to supporting employees in future endeavors, from business to law school. At an incredibly important and stressful time in their lives, you’ll serve as a mentor and resource for Due West students and their families. The U.S. college/high school admissions process is truly unique, even within the Western world—your job will be to serve as a cultural translator and mediator in addition to trusted advisor. Simply put, these skills (seeing issues from different perspectives, understanding different value systems, and negotiating across these differences) are invaluable.
Cons
The work can be intense, but is definitely doable, especially because Due West approaches tasks with a team-based model.