University of Minnesota Reviews in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN Area

Pros

Benefits package is outstanding. Employee support balancing family and work is evident.

Cons

Revolving door last 5 years I worked there. Management teams constantly changing resulting in uncertainty among employees as to their future.

Pros

A very laid back environment that was comfortable in which to work. I enjoyed working with my colleagues and when I left the university, my co-workers and superiors said I'd be greatly missed.

Cons

For the amount of work that a graduate instructor must do, aside from teaching and studying, there was an expectation to do more work and the compensation was not that great.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop taking money from the CLA to fund other colleges within the university. CLA students make up a majority of the students, but the tuition is used to fund other areas of the university.

Pros

Working at the circulation desk allows you to interact with the law students and professors.

Cons

Cleaning books to kill time was the worst part of working there. There was no chance for students to demonstrate their skills.

Advice to Senior Management

The boss was an extremely talented and kind person. She was the best part of working at the library.

Pros

Culture, tuition discount, benefits package, great field of opportunity

Cons

it's enormous; university-wide systems (financial, HR, etc.) are extremely cumbersome; also, school is publicly funded and having financial trouble

Pros

Very fun place to work because it allows you to gain some of the skills you'll use in real life.

Cons

Pay raises were put on hold during my tenure here at the University so i wasn't able to realize and monetary gain from my experience or length of time in the Department

Pros

Excellent facilities, opportunities to collaborate in many different fields, opportunities for internal fellowship support, many aggressive and highly published groups to get involved with.

Cons

Professors and staff try to entice people with temporary staff positions. These positions have low wages (relative to other places like industry) and no/little benefits. After three years of postdoc, if you haven't found a job (possible depending on the economic situation) you are transitioned automatically as a research assistant professor. This position does come with benefits, but very low salary. Those who have highly prestigious publications and have shown a high level of accomplishment are not treated any differently, although many professors will try to make them think something different will happen.

Advice to Senior Management

I have run into a number of professors who misuse their power as tenured faculty. I have seen situations where professors threaten students/postdocs by saying their recommendation from them will be flawed b/c the professor wants something. No other work environment would allow such open comments to occur (ie, co-workers and management turning their head). The management needs to listen to students/postdocs and have something implemented so that professors do not take advantage of students/postdocs. However, this situation is not limited to this institution.

Pros

It's a good place, lots of good ideas and motivated people, you get experience in lab and it's a good way to build your resume.

Cons

but there's not too much opportunity to get out and do something important. You usually just do what the PI wants you to do and don't get much time to design your own projects.

Advice to Senior Management

Not applicable? U of M managment is generally too far up to really change how people lower down live and work.

Pros

Networking and support from staff and resources is great.

Cons

Payment is low, however benefits and perks are great.

Advice to Senior Management

More promotion opportunities.

Pros

Opportunity to peform higy quality research.

Cons

Smaller salaries. Students are paid reasonably well.

Advice to Senior Management

Increase the salary.

Pros

Very responsible supervior
Professional higher education setting

Cons

Very different personalites , need some effort to adjust to .

Advice to Senior Management

Effective.