YMCA Employee Job Reviews in the United States

"I have also worked at the YMCA of Greater New York. At the YMCA I teach swimming to kids and adults, running one of the most successful adult swim classes at a beginner and advanced level, helping many into completing triathlons. I have learned to deal with different personalities, as well as managing a large group of staff as an aquatics coordinator."

"I've worked for YMCA since 2013."

"I've been employed with the YMCA since 2010, the company was fair with the employees with 110 for the branch."

"I've only worked at the YMCA for a few months, but I have found my time there to not only be enjoyable but rewarding. Teaching people new things and watching the look of excitement on their faces as they accomplish something they hadn't been able to do before is a really amazing experience. There aren't many companies out there where you can say your job fundamentaly makes other people's lives a bit better."

"I have worked for the Northwest Cobb YMCA for a year. They are a dynamic company to work for. I appreciate working for a company that invests itself into the health and wellbeing of the community. The management is very approachable and I enjoy knowing that I am making a difference in the lives of those around me."

What do you like about working at YMCA?

"Good mission, reputation, and benefits, not too demanding workload most of the time."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Conservative. Trying to change things quickly will only lead to frustration."

What don't you like about working at YMCA?

"Frustrated by the culture of the place and lack of direction from leadership. Too much time spent on meetings. Leadership seems to take advantage of position and doesn't work nearly as hard as their reports. Underinvestment and disinclination to adopt tools that make it a competitive and effective department. Division between exempt and nonexempt staff, branch vs. corporate office. Fair amount of waste (sites, mileage, excess meetings) that eat up much needed funds and upset branch staff. Little accountability for senior leadership. National office is out of tune with associations."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Emphasize progress and invest in systems/processes that are timely and effective. Place less stress on meetings. Give very specific goals and measures, invest in tools of contemporaries. Invest more personal time and energy, along with personnel, in meeting the goals of the department."

"My experience overall has been enjoyable and educational."

What do you like about working at YMCA?

"It is very enjoyable getting to know and work with many of the individuals within our company."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"It is important to demonstrate all four qualities of the YMCA; Respect, Honor, Caring and Responsibility."

What don't you like about working at YMCA?

"I do not like the fact that I am not doing what I had intended on doing once I completed my education."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"We need to have more incentives for employees to want to work harder."

"I was a lifeguard and swim instructor I enjoyed my work every day."

What do you like about working at YMCA?

"The people I worked for were happy and fun to work for."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Go in to the interview happy and confident, also you should take the job seriously."

What don't you like about working at YMCA?

"The patrons of the pool broke rules for fun to annoy the lifeguards."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"I think management does a good job and I really wouldn't change anything."

"I very much enjoy my time at the Y and look forward to what's next."

What do you like about working at YMCA?

"The Y has a big impact on the community. I work with great people who are looking to make a difference. Everyone is 'human' - including the CEO."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Be flexible and be ready for the ride. It happens quick!"

What don't you like about working at YMCA?

"Lack of growth opportunity and new brand standards. And that it's 7 hours from my family now that they are retired and getting long in the tooth."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"The size of our organization can make it a challenging environment. I'd say most importantly is have the right, qualified people in place."

"It was a fun experience."

What do you like about working at YMCA?

"I liked the fact that it didn't really feel like a job."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Just be yourself because it's not a hard job but if you don't have patience this job isn't for you."

What don't you like about working at YMCA?

"I don't have any complaints about this job since it was just a summer job."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"My suggestion to management would be to give the counselors more chances to grow with the company."

"Extremely rewarding."

What do you like about working at YMCA?

"I enjoy the rewarding atmosphere. The children that I work with are so loving and appreciative."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Realize that you are doing this job for the kids. This is not a job that will make you rich and the kids know who do it for them and who are just there to collect a paycheck."

What don't you like about working at YMCA?

"I wish it was more money and possibly more hours. Hopefully a full time position."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Spend more time at the other sites and see how these other adults are interacting with the children."

What do you like about working at YMCA?

"The ability to get the work done without obstacles and being able to work on the road."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Keep trying and work hard no matter what, take pride on your work."

What don't you like about working at YMCA?

"No advancement/dead end job and certain people get treated different."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Show care for assets to the company, and stop making excuses for those who pretend to be assets."

"Positive experience, friendly atmosphere."

What do you like about working at YMCA?

"The cohesion and friendship of the employees, the counsel of bosses, the free flow of ideas, the effort put into program management."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Agree with everything they say, then do your own thing. You'll be rewarded for your free thinking."

What don't you like about working at YMCA?

"Schedules, short staff, lack of chain of command management, youth of employees."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Desperation (from being short staffed) for employees is what is leading to your short turnover time and overall workplace quality."

What do you like about working at YMCA?

"Leadership development training, member services training, collaborative culture, history, people."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Get your foot in the door with a part time job and you will have a better chance of working your way up into a professional role. But stick with it - it could take years for a promotion to open up, and you might have to relocate to another branch (took me 4 years and I moved 250 miles away from home). Have a somewhat outgoing personality, and make connections with customers/members."

What don't you like about working at YMCA?

"The overall organization is great, but each individual branch is different. My branch in particular isn't the greatest place to work at, especially being led by someone like our current exec. I believe a branch's culture starts from the top and trickles down, and ever since he came to our branch the culture has gone through a downward spiral."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"More investment in employees (training, guidance), respect, no favoritism or double-standards."