Fun places to work in DC (Washington: daycare, attorneys, home)

[alopez82]

I currently work in a stuffy law firm. I like what I do and I'm good at it, but I'm looking to go somewhere with a more laid back vibe. A place with a good bit of younger employees, with cool perks like scheduled happy hours and company softball teams. Things of that nature. I work in Human Resources, so I can basically work in any industry. Does anyone know of or even work for any companies like that?
I've looked at all of the places profiled in the Washingtonian, but haven't found any that are hiring for my kind of position right now. I could really use some help.

[macroy]

Search the Washington Post - they have the local version of Forbes 100 best places to work. However, the best places may not always indicate a "laid back" vibe. I worked in a Mgmt Consulting firm that always makes that list (as well as the national one)... but we were business dress. But the perks were there and the people there were young (heavy college recruiting).

I'd also look in the Biotech sector. Not sure how things are these days, but when I was there back in the late 90's the MD Biotech industry was just getting started, so it was a lot of fun. I also found start-ups to be much more enjoyable. You work your tail off... but you also get to call it "yours".

[RavishingRaddish]

Originally Posted by macroy

Search the Washington Post - they have the local version of Forbes 100 best places to work. However, the best places may not always indicate a "laid back" vibe. I worked in a Mgmt Consulting firm that always makes that list (as well as the national one)... but we were business dress. But the perks were there and the people there were young (heavy college recruiting).

I'd also look in the Biotech sector. Not sure how things are these days, but when I was there back in the late 90's the MD Biotech industry was just getting started, so it was a lot of fun. I also found start-ups to be much more enjoyable. You work your tail off... but you also get to call it "yours".

Agreed. Honestly the Forbes thing is BS. Places like Enron used to makes those lists easy every year. It's geared more towards big firms and places that want to be known. I find most laid back companies tend to be smaller.

I don't buy into this whole "good" company garbage they use to judge anyway. I don't want an employer with a cafeteria, on-site dry cleaning, or daycare. For me, I believe you need a life outside work and it starts with the stupid errands and such. Those "perks" like Google has are a way to keep you working 60+ hours a week and join in the brainwashing.

I think you should look for some smaller companies that service more interesting sectors. It's not as prestigious always and certainly does not usually pay as well, but you'll gain invaluable experience doing real work instead of corporate bs, and make enough contacts for it to pay off later. I was in a similar situation once and taking less money for more freedom and a laid back environment was the best move I could ever make. I've literally rejected jobs that forced me to wear a suit and tie everyday or had any sort of dress code, draconian policies, or ridiculous garbage like company cars. It sounds crazy to some, but for me it works.

I enjoy a work environment where no one bothers me or cares, they simply depend on me to do good work. If I don't do good work, they fire me. Fair deal, and I learn 10000x more than I would working in some media darling company, and my career is much better for it in the end. I now don't even have to think when I've turned down offers for 2x more money. If that's your personality, it's all worth more than you might think once you have it.

[orion1778]

Originally Posted by RavishingRaddish

I think you should look for some smaller companies that service more interesting sectors. It's not as prestigious always and certainly does not usually pay as well, but you'll gain invaluable experience doing real work instead of corporate bs, and make enough contacts for it to pay off later.

I've worked for a few companies of various sizes: one company had 3 employees (me and two other guys), another was a Fortune 500 company with 30,000+ employees.

Did the big company have more bureaucracy, corporate BS, and frustrating hierarchy? Of course. But what it had that the small firm lacked was an outstanding social scene. Granted, that isn't what work is all about, but at the big company, opportunities to meet a large number of people of similar age with similar interests was always there. Lunch in the cafeteria, departmental happy hours, company softball league, etc. were all opportunities that the small firm simply couldn't offer. I also found networking much easier at the big company because of the sheer number of people who have worked here or there at some point in their life made is so easy to find connections to whoever you needed.

I'm not saying one is better than the other. Some prefer small companies for their obvious benefits; others large companies for their benefits - its all about what is important to you.

[alopez82]

Thanks for all of your advice.
I work at a big firm now, but they're not all that into the happy hours and company leagues.
What I'm really asking for is if anyone knows of any specific companies or firms that have that kind of atmosphere. A semi large amount of young professionals, company happy hours, etc? I've read about a few of these places where they have cool perks like free starbucks, catered lunch once a week, things like that.
Does anyone know of a specific place around the dc area that has something like that?

[claremarie]

Maybe you just need to try a different law firm. DC is full of them. I worked at one for nearly 10 years, though it was small and had very few non-attorney employees. You can research the most coveted firms (that generally offer the best perks) through various law student and attorney websites. Some firms, such as Arnold & Porter, were legendary for their positive "vibes." Back in my day, most reasonably large firms had softball leagues, and the non-attorneys were often the most valuable players. Doesn't your firm have a summer associate program?

But I would think twice, or more, about making a career move based upon whether the firm offers free Starbucks or lunches, rather than whether you are well-compensated, have challenging work and interesting colleagues.

[ellebelles]

Speaking of the Washington Post...they're actually a really fun company to work for. I was an intern a while back, and I really enjoyed it, but that might be because they purposely set it up that way. But hey, free newspaper every morning and books from Book World!

In regards to free food, happy hours, company sports teams, and other coordinated employee events, the only company I've worked for that's offered those is General Mills, but unfortunately, no office in the DC area. But we are listed on the Fortune Top 100 Companies to Work For, so I'd definitely recommend checking out any of the companies on there as they probably offer similar work environments/lifestyles. I hear your big company argument, but not all are alike -- General Mills actually has an internal Employee Events site in which anyone can post an event (concert, game, etc) they're interested in gathering a group for, and everyone in the company gets a bi-weekly email with a list of the upcoming events to sign up for. We also have smaller business centers that give a small company feel, which allows us to more easily coordinate softball, basketball, etc. Oh, and we get free food catered in and out all the time. So don't eliminate big companies from your search just yet!

[RavishingRaddish]

Originally Posted by orion1778

I've worked for a few companies of various sizes: one company had 3 employees (me and two other guys), another was a Fortune 500 company with 30,000+ employees.

Did the big company have more bureaucracy, corporate BS, and frustrating hierarchy? Of course. But what it had that the small firm lacked was an outstanding social scene. Granted, that isn't what work is all about, but at the big company, opportunities to meet a large number of people of similar age with similar interests was always there. Lunch in the cafeteria, departmental happy hours, company softball league, etc. were all opportunities that the small firm simply couldn't offer. I also found networking much easier at the big company because of the sheer number of people who have worked here or there at some point in their life made is so easy to find connections to whoever you needed.

I'm not saying one is better than the other. Some prefer small companies for their obvious benefits; others large companies for their benefits - its all about what is important to you.

I agree, it is all about what is important to you. I like some of my coworkers on a work level, but I have no desire to hang out with any of them after work. I can't imagine meeting many people at work I'd genuinely like if I met them elsewhere, and I certainly hate to mix work and personal life.

I'm the type that would rather die then go to a company softball game or picnic. I certainly would rather go home and have drinks with friends than coworkers or clients. If I had to eat lunch in a cafeteria, I'd go nuts because I either want privacy while I eat, work while I eat, or go somewhere outside the office. For me, "company life" encroaches on my free time. Even if an event of some kind is during work hours, I see that as time wasted that I would rather dedicate to my clients. That said, most small companies still have activities, but I feel like you have a little more leeway in both what those activities are and if you actually want to attend (I remember mandatory happy hours at one company. YOU MUST HAVE FUN! bleh!).

I just want an employer that is ethical, leaves me alone, and hires intelligent, trustworthy people. I've worked at bigger companies and got tired of filling out huge amounts of paper work to get things done and listening to brain washing, double speak, and corporate babble. Sure, some big companies are great but they are not for me.

Back to the original point though, just find a company that you think won't make you hate your life and give it a try. You can always leave. I wouldn't trust reviews or even first hand knowledge 100% because the work experience is unique to each of us.

[juniperbleu]

It's hard to nail down a particular company or firm, but in my experience the smaller firms or start-ups tended to be more lax. A lot depends on what they do (i.e. many law firms and intelligence-type places can be more uptight) and then the people. I do economic analysis with the government, and my group is fairly young, fun, and social. We don't get free food (gov't), but we have weekly "happy hours" in the office, as well as just a bunch of us organizing to go out a few times a month. But, just because my office is like this, I wouldn't say "go for government." Different agencies vary widely, as do divisions (the legal and administrative departments in mine are nowhere near this lax).

I'd say, apply for stuff you're interested in, and when you interview check out the people you might be working with. If the company doesn't organize a happy hour, nothing says you can't do it yourself.

[DCguy03]

Originally Posted by juniperbleu

If the company doesn't organize a happy hour, nothing says you can't do it yourself.

So true! Happy hours, if done right (i.e. kept in control), are an essential part of work-life. It helps to get to know your co-workers, managers, etc. on a more personal level. You can't do your best work if you've got guys like this around you all the time:


But in all seriousness, check out the article below from the Washingtonian. Because of this article, I decided to apply to one of these companies and I work there now!
2007 Great Places to Work (washingtonian.com)