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    American University Reviews

    Updated April 11, 2019
    422 reviews

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    3.8
    StarStarStarStarStar
    Rating TrendsRating Trends
    Recommend to a friend
    Approve of CEO
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    Sylvia M. Burwell
    14 Ratings

    Employee Reviews

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    Pros

    • "Excellent work-life balance depending on department" (in 26 reviews)

    • "Great work/life balance, great opportunities for training and tuition remission" (in 33 reviews)

    Cons

    • "most positions are temporary and have limited room for growth" (in 9 reviews)

    • "low pay so it's not just American" (in 16 reviews)

    More Pros and Cons

    1. "Lab Technician"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee

      I worked at American University part-time

      Pros

      Friendly staff, interesting projects, relaxed atmosphere

      Cons

      Reporting hours could be simplified with a timecard

    2. "Pretty good place to work"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at American University full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      The staff are amazing to work with, and overall the culture is positive. There are sufficient PD opportunities on campus. In my division, I see change happen relatively quickly which is somewhat rare in higher ed.

      Cons

      The pay and the benefits are pretty lousy. No personal days.

      Advice to Management

      If you can't pay more, at least give some more holidays off!

      3. Join the American University team
      See Our Latest Jobs

    3. "Office Assistant"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Office Assistant in Washington, DC
      Current Employee - Office Assistant in Washington, DC
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at American University part-time (Less than a year)

      Pros

      Supportive work community, passionate president and decent benefits.

      Cons

      A lot of disconnect between staff and faculty management

      Advice to Management

      Provide more transparency for staff, particularly when cutting positions.

    4. "good summer gig"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee

      I have been working at American University part-time

      Pros

      housing included for the summer

      Cons

      long hours-- would go late into the night

    5. "Positive Well-rounded Experience"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Graduate Research Assistant in Washington, DC
      Current Employee - Graduate Research Assistant in Washington, DC
      Recommends

      I have been working at American University part-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      Developed close mentorship with professor and got to assist in professor's work with a partnering institution.

      Cons

      The pay was on the lower end, but the mentorship was worth it!

    6. "Good federal work study jobs if you find them"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Current Employee - Marketing Assistant, Former Gallery Attendant
      Current Employee - Marketing Assistant, Former Gallery Attendant
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at American University part-time (More than 3 years)

      Pros

      Good salary for student work (DC min wage is high), welcoming community, nice people, helpful infrastructure for getting a student job if you're looking

      Cons

      Quality of jobs can vary depending on what jobs you work, I have liked my federal work study jobs a lot but I know some people who are not fans.

      Advice to Management

      Keep encouraging students to apply for campus jobs and maintain resources to help them do so easily and quickly

    7. "Amazing"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee

      I have been working at American University part-time

      Pros

      An amazing place to work

      Cons

      Not that I can remember

    8. "Awesome Experience"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Coordinator in Washington, DC
      Former Employee - Coordinator in Washington, DC
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I worked at American University full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      Working with the students
      Flexibility
      Creativity

      Cons

      Supervisor
      Organizational management
      Growing Pains
      Slow moving or quick reaction no inbetween

    9. "N/A"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee

      I have been working at American University full-time

      Pros

      Good Work life balance exists

      Cons

      Lots of bureaucracy and red tape

    10. "Supportive Coworkers, Flexible Workplace, Low Pay"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Staff in Washington, DC
      Current Employee - Staff in Washington, DC
      Recommends
      Neutral Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      I have been working at American University full-time

      Pros

      Warm, supportive staff and faculty
      Sense of community among university employees
      Flexible schedules
      Ok benefits, retirement matching is excellent (2 to 1 up to 5% of paycheck)
      Excellent work-life balance depending on department
      Great place to start your career

      Cons

      Horribly low pay (insulting, as other reviewer said); all universities in the area have equally low pay so it's not just American
      Not a lot of upward mobility, depending on department

      Advice to Management

      Concern for employee retention is simply addressed by giving better pay