Pros
Gaining recognition amongst those people who think Exponent is a great firm, including their loyal clients and academics. Being challenged by truly unusual problems Learning about other disciplines and working in a multi-disciplined environment Working in an environment where you are free to develop your career as fast as you want it to develop Being well rewarded financially Having much freedom to write papers and develop professionally
Kontras
Exponent is an ivory tower sort of firm. Arrogance is rife, as to be expected where the expected entrance ticket is a PhD from superb universities. The firm is not well grounded as a "practical" or "design" form. Indeed: there is a culture of separation from design firms which breeds superiority complexes. Career advance can be fast for those individuals with the passion and drive to work horribly long hours, to be political, and to quickly capture the attention of senior management as mentors and champions. There is little mentoring except for a chosen cadre of future stars. Despite encouragements otherwise, the firm really does prefer candidates to have a PhD; with little real-life experience elsewhere. They want to mold their junior staff. If you have insecurities when you join the firm, they may well be amplified. Then again, if insecurity drove you in the first place to get your PhD, you may well be able to channel that into a drive to succeed. If you have a wealth of experience elsewhere, it will not help you much. Exponent does its own thing.