Ginkgo Bioworks

"Ginkgo is the most diverse and flexible place I've ever worked! The timelines and overall work demand are intense, but I find the job rewarding. The workplace culture is great and promotes comraderie. "

"If you can mimic the words, beliefs, and behaviors of top level leaders no matter if you agree or not then you will get along great. "

"Ginkgo is possibly the most flexible company I have ever seen, and while there are many advantages to this that are particularly beneficial to women (many roles being able to work remotely with no expectation of being in the office, most roles allowing you to adjust your working schedule as needed, etc.), there are also disadvantages that come with the lack of structure and guidance. For one, strong direct managerial relationships seem to be a rarity in Ginkgo. Ginkgo employees tend to eventually become managers at some point after a period of time of working for the company, and the "people skills" necessary to effectively manage and develop people are very clearly not prioritized in that process. Some people may enjoy having a manager that is mostly uninvolved, but this lack of relationship and personal investment is a significant impediment to feeling motivated and valued for others. Be prepared to establish your own boundaries, as no one will do that for you or jump in to defend you after you have failed to do so. This is generally applicable to most workplaces for women, but I have found it to especially be the case at Ginkgo. Just as an example, the extent to which people respect your PTO depends entirely on you. If women across the company were asked about whether their vacation time is respected at Ginkgo, I think there would be a very broad range of answers simply because some women have made their PTO "off-limits" and some have not. If you make yourself available while presumably being out of office, that sets the standard for how people will approach you for requests during your PTO going forward. Overall, Ginkgo is a fun, fairly accommodating company with a lot of exciting things going on, but if you tend to thrive in environments with clear expectations, structure, and a strong focus on personal development, it may not be the best fit."

"I am very fortunate to have great managers and smart & fun coworkers at Ginkgo."

"this is a place where you can grow your career in a meaningful way. Women in leadership is not a deliberate effort as much as it is just our way of working. It’s a great place to work and a great place to lead. "