Come For The Opportunity, Stay For The People - Anonymous employee Refinery29 Employee Review

5.0
Nov 17, 2017
Anonymous employee
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

This is a mission-driven, global media brand that elevates the stories and POV of women. Let that sink in for a second. Name another publisher in the market doing the same thing at the same scale. In some ways, I believe this is really all you need to know about working at Refinery29. The rest is just gravy. The writers and editors within these walls are so passionate, creative, and inspiring — and the team is dedicated to improving the quality of our work every day. If you have a great idea and the motivation and drive to run with it, you can make it happen. I've watched people go from entry-level roles to their dream job with the support of some great mentors and managers.

Cons

The limited resources, but that is not unique to Refinery29, that's media. I would also argue that the people who have complained about work/life balance do not understand what a high-growth digital environment is really like. You work at a place like this because you want to permanently alter the trajectory of your career. That might mean pulling longer hours, or taking on tasks outside of your JD, but I see that as an opportunity. You learn, grow, and evolve here at an exponential pace. Make no mistake: It's exhausting, but it makes you a better, and infinitely more hirable, editor.

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5.0
May 27, 2026
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Great culture, extremely nice employees, diverse workplace

Cons

Not very cutting edge with their approach to tech

4.0
Mar 23, 2026
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Refinery29 was training day, every day. The pace and creative expectations forced you to sharpen fast. I cut my teeth here over four years and came out a fundamentally better strategist. The work was culturally plugged in, the people were sharp, and you were trusted with real responsibility early. If you wanted to learn how brand, content, and audience intersect at speed, there was no better place.

Cons

The intensity that makes it a great training ground also means the environment runs hot. Not everyone thrives in that — and depending on your team, support structures varied. The company went through a lot of change during my time, which created some instability.

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