Pros
This ‘start-up’ is genuinely bizarre, after close to a decade of operating it is no closer to achieving product-market-fit, financial sustainability or really having anything to show for efforts of many employees they’ve churned through. Working for Medopad/Huma alters your perception of business and healthcare, and although it leaves many burnt out, the insights gained by the few survivors are invaluable. Taking a job here will teach you to question everything, take nothing granted and respect the aspects of ruining a start-up which are often ignored. Think seriously about joining this organisation if you have any dependents or worry about financial security. Also bear in mind you are likely to be belittled and questioned on a day to day basis. If you are open to an emotional rollercoaster then Huma can guarantee a once-in-a-career opportunity, with experiences that you will not get anywhere else (both good and bad, but mainly bad). Workload can range from enormous tasks to almost nothing, the type of work is also as varied, ranging from pitching to clients to filling out spreadsheets and generating complex ideas. If you are unwilling to do menial tasks or mass produce ‘slide decks’ don’t apply. Despite the Senior Leadership having no clinical background or experience, prepare to be overruled, undermined and disrespected. Conversely as you too will be given work you are completely unqualified for, use this as an opportunity to learn and experiment with someone else’s money.
Cons
Medopad/Huma hire great people only to burn through them at an astonishing rate. I have that heard that more than 100 people have left through either sacking, quitting or just disappearing in the last 2 years. On the plus side you will develop a fantastic network of colleagues, bonded through a sustained period of hardship. Although the workforce itself is diverse and inclusive, the senior leadership team have a poor understanding of how create an environment in which everyone feels comfortable, equal and respected and is not a supportive environment for young women. While the mission of the company at a high-level is admirable if confused, your day-to-day reality will be firefighting and trying to keep the CEO happy regardless of the impact on the broader business. As a byproduct of illformed strategy, Medopad/Huma flip-flops between projects without dedicating the necessary investment, time or research and as a result have a group of semi-functioning products with no users. If you are not comfortable with a completely ‘sales’/‘deals’ driven environment with little regard for clinical safety, evidence or users then this is not the place for you. Ask questions during the interview process, do not take a commission-based payment structure, do not put personal contacts on the line, find someone who has been employed for more than a year and talk to them about the company.