The 67-year-old institution is known for its policy research, which often lands in the news. Employees might study the rise of militant Islam, marijuana legalization, or flood risk in coastal communities. In 2014, Rand's findings on rates of sexual assault in the military led the Defense Department to announce new initiatives. Employees of this California-based nonprofit - 380 work out of an office in Pentagon City - say they like doing work that can make a difference. They also appreciate the flexibility they're given - and the benefits, which include a contribution equaling 5 to 9 percent of salary to their retirement plan. Perk: To encourage work/life balance, employees are paid an extra 5 percent for every vacation day taken.
It a press release, RAND notes that it actually pays employees more than time-and-a-half ("1.65 times normal salary, to be precise") when they take vacation. The think tank also notes that it had previously been selected as a "Great Place to Work" by Washingtonian in 2007 and received an honorable mention in 2009.
On the subject of RAND, The Washington Post recently had a piece outlining some of the fascinating history of the think tank and its deep connection to DARPA.
RAND was recently named as the world's 7th best think tank by the annual University of Pennsylvania think tank rankings. It was ranked as the 6th best think tank in the United States, and the world's second best think tank for defense and national security issues. It was also ranked as the world's second best education policy think tank, and the world's second best domestic health policy think tank. Among other things, it was also ranked as having the world's best transdisciplinary research program, and having the world's best policy-oriented public programs.