Pros
Incredibly talented and mission-driven colleagues. Strong compensation and excellent benefits. There are many smart, hardworking people across the organization who genuinely care about the work and the communities the mission is meant to serve.
Cons
I wish I had read the Glassdoor reviews before accepting this role. I remember being genuinely excited to join XQ and to be part of an organization that's part of Emerson Collective. At the time, it felt like a dream opportunity — the pay and benefits were strong, but what attracted me most was the mission and what I believed would be a thoughtful, values-driven environment. Unfortunately, almost immediately after starting, I sensed that something was off. The environment often felt tense, and it seemed like many people were walking on eggshells. There were frequent whispers, side comments, and a general undercurrent of fear and dysfunction that made it difficult to feel secure or supported. In my experience, the workplace culture was chaotic and unhealthy. I witnessed colleagues being spoken to in ways that felt demeaning and disrespectful, and it often seemed like leadership was aware of these dynamics but failed to meaningfully address them. I also experienced communication that felt confusing, dismissive, and at times gaslighting. What made the experience especially disappointing was how disconnected the internal culture felt from the organization’s stated mission. I came in believing deeply in the work, but my time there was incredibly taxing and had a negative impact on my well-being. I hope future candidates do their research, ask direct questions about culture and leadership, and pay close attention to the patterns described by former employees. For me, this was a deeply disappointing experience and one I would caution others to consider carefully before accepting a role.