ELSA

Pros: When I joined, working remotely as a Software Engineer was really flexible. You could pretty much manage your own time as long as the work got done. It felt like they trusted us to deliver.
Cons: Lately, there's been more push to have people in the office, even for those hired as fully remote. The "hybrid model" is mentioned a lot now for our edtech startup. It makes planning personal life tougher when the expectations keep moving.
Advice to Management: Please clarify the long-term remote work strategy for the team, especially for those hired under different premises. Keep trusting your employees; flexibility really boosts morale for engineering roles.

Pros: I've worked here remote from Texas for a while, and the work-life balance is decent. As a Software Engineer, I can set my own hours most days. It's usually about 40-45 hours a week, which is solid for a fast-paced AI tech startup.
Cons: The main issue is during product launches or big deadlines; those weeks get really tough. There's definite pressure to deliver, and it can eat into personal time. Wish they'd plan a bit better to avoid those intense crunch periods.
Advice to Management: Try to smooth out the workload more, especially during product launches. It would help prevent burnout among the engineering teams.

Pros: I learned a ton here as a Software Engineer, especially working on cutting-edge AI features. The team in the San Francisco office is super smart. It's a great place for hands-on experience, particularly if you're new to the EdTech industry.
Cons: Job security isn't ELSA's strong suit. As an AI startup, there are frequent reorgs and project cancellations. This makes engineering roles feel unstable. You can't help but worry about your future here.
Advice to Management: Try to be more transparent about company finances and long-term project planning. Less frequent, drastic reorgs would really help employee morale and reduce turnover for engineering roles.