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Columbia University

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Tuition exemption makes it worth it - Administrative Assistant Columbia University Employee Review

4.0
Apr 25, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The admin positions are usually through a collective bargaining unit which offers perks such as free computer classes for you and your family as well as a tuition fund if you take classes at a different university. There's also a child care subsidy fund that gets split amongst eligible union applicants with children aged 12 and under. 20 vacation days, 12 sick days, and 3 personal days a year. There's also paid holidays for most major holidays. Set schedule of monday-friday 9-5pm with weekends off.

Cons

Dependent on which department you work in, you may be limited in growth opportunities and would have to look towards other departments for promotional opportunities. Some supervisors micro manage. There's no overtime for union support staff. Starting salaries are also not as high or competitively priced as they should be considering the cost of living in the nyc metro area.

Explore other reviews about Columbia University

5.0
Jun 17, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

My job with the Columbia Population Research Center is fully remote, which is a great perk. I can also create my own schedule and work any day of the week.

Cons

The pay could be better.

1.0
Jun 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The people in the trenches The students The passionate faculty

Cons

Leadership, their inefficiencies and poor decisions Very dysfunctional environment HR does whatever leadership tells them to do, including covering issues by "friends of the boss", This favoritism approach also includes approvals for who gets to work from out of state even when the position can be easily filled by local workers and the creation of new jobs for those that are chosen. Very poor financial decisions. Big big pay on top, Low pay on bottom. Very little room for growth unless someone likes you and you are the right color.

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