Pros
Most staff are young, energetic, and want to do something positive with their lives. The opportunity to acquire leadership, management and professional skills in a very short time is awesome. Staff members go on to get great jobs in politics, non-profit sector, government, and academia. Vote Smart senior staff give strong recommendations to departing staff. The research is tedious but it prepares you for the real world. The location--on a dude ranch in Montana --is spectacular, and there are lots of fun events and outdoor activities--and lots of people to do them with, There is a great sense of camaraderie among staff members that is rewarding--everyone is about the same age and interested in the same things, generally. That's why they come. It's great to be able to work in politics--my passion--without having to go partisan and negative.
Cons
Philipsburg, where most staff have to live, is very small and housing is limited--and usually old and run down. The commute to the Ranch headquarters is 30-40 minutes each way on a rutted dirt road, and it tears up cars and tires. It can be tricky in the winter, although the roads are almost always plowed right away after a snowstorm. The turnover in staff is frequent and has a negative impact on advancing the organization's goals and meeting research objectives. The pay is low, but living expenses in Philipsburg are also low. The organization needs to focus on its technology needs. A strong IT department is the most pressing need, but raising funds for technology is hard because it's so expensive.
