Duke University Reviews

Pros

we gain the opportunity and the responsibility to make a real difference in the world. Take a closer look to find out why and whether you can help contribute to the legacy of great achievement and even greater promise at Duke.

Cons

The competitiveness, which I understand has gotten much worse since I graduated Duke graduates and would hire other graduates based on my experience ...

Advice to Senior Management

the area, including samples utilized in Duke University's earlier study, suggest that the signature of methane to create a new place.

Pros

Challenging but really a conducive environment. Supportive colleagues.

Cons

Huge working environment. Plenty of bureaucracy.

Pros

Pay was better than most. Vacation/sick time benefits were better than most. Networking is encouraged, lots of personal growth opportunities are available.

Cons

I felt under-appreciated and overworked. I was the only F/T in an academic dept. The only problem I have with the system in place is it is hard to move up at Duke. As a Staff Assistant, its easy to move around to similar jobs, but extremely hard to move into higher level jobs. A lot of the people hired to oversee management come from outside the university, rather than inside.

Advice to Senior Management

Please reward the staff you have better. More flexible hours, more opportunities to advance at Duke. Recognition of hard work is something that is lacking.

Pros

Great for an entry level position.

Cons

Very difficult to further a career or grow.

Advice to Senior Management

None

Pros

*Educational Benefit, both for employees and children of employees is great, but you sacrifice annual bonuses for this benefit
*Retirement Plan is one of the better benefits
*Health Insurance Benefit Package is good

Cons

**Lack of advancement opportunities
**Low salary levels compared to comparable corporate entities
**No annual bonus
**Having to pay for the right to park your car

Advice to Senior Management

Promote based on capability--not on the number of initials following your name;
Stop making employees pay to park;
Make salary levels comparable to private industry

Pros

Very good research environment in Biomedical field.

Cons

Nothing. Only the thing I could feel of is relatively lower chances of growth for PhDs compared to MDs.

Pros

Full of lots of opportunities to access to different culture and industries.
Daily interacted with smart people and built network with colleagues and alumni.
Beautiful campus with nice weather.
Also it provides "saferide van" between campus and places near campus after hours.

Cons

Duke University stays at Durham where is not so safe for downtown area.
But if you can take "saferide van" between campus and places near campus after hours.

Pros

Lovely campus, generally humanitarian employee policies. And how nice to have access to good libraries, music, performances, and people creating new knowledge--even if they have nothing directly to do with your job!

Cons

Parking's a bear, and either expensive or a bit of a hike. Faculty are treated better than staff, as you'd expect--12 weeks of parental leave vs 2 weeks, etc. A university is a pretty risk-averse place, which may bug you if you're creative.

Advice to Senior Management

Leadership need not come down on the side of command-and-control nor laissez-faire policies; rank-and-file employees may respond better than you think to collaborative problem-solving, and even bench scientists may do okay with a few rules.

Pros

The work atmosphere is great, they don't burn out their graduate students. The stipend is probably the best in the country with regards to cost of living in Durham.

Cons

Some departments may be small and thus not have a lot of colleagues who are working on the same material as you.

Pros

The work study. It has a good opportunity for students to work while in school.

Cons

Administration is horrendous. Opportunities are few and far in between. There is much control and little distribution of funds to where they should be.