Unstable startup company with a good idea but poor execution - Anonymous employee UniversityNow Employee Review

2.0
Mar 18, 2014
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Although I gained good working experience in higher education, this startup just doesn't seem to have it's act together. They have a great idea, low priced higher education, but can't seem to execute it properly. There is a good atmosphere in the office, but is counteracted by lack of communication between departments and with upper management. Flexible scheduling and work from home opportunities were nice.

Cons

The courses constantly receive student complaints and its unclear how they should be answered. This affects enrollment and growth of company. There is no communication between management and employees and after 2 company wide lay offs a 3rd seems possible in the future.

Explore other reviews about UniversityNow

5.0
Apr 9, 2017
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The company is a dynamic, mission driven startup with a talented and committed management team. It's a really exciting and inspiring place to work. For many of our students, earning an affordable (or free) college degrees is life changing. Students love the learning platform and appreciate the commitment of our faculty and advisors.

Cons

Startups are intense palaces to work. UniversityNow is no exception. The company has gone through several iterations. The founder left in late 2014 and returned in late 2016 to take control of business. He and his new team quickly cleaned up what had become a toxic culture and begin growing the business. I think the company has finally found its stride.

4.0
Nov 5, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

UniversityNow's goal is to make high-quality job-relevant higher education accessible by making it eminently affordable and on a flexible schedule that recognizes the fact that students may already know some of what a course is meant to impart. Such a noble and worthwhile mission attracts team members with the best hearts, and in my experience, the brightest minds as well. The company's second CEO, Bryan Newman, was an example of this, which I wanted to point out explicitly, because I down-voted the CEO listed here on Glassdoor and didn't want readers to confuse the two.

Cons

Education is a tough profession to be in, especially when trying to serve disadvantaged students; this is true even at the college and graduate-school level. You almost have to bend over backward to create a system that helps such students succeed -- sometimes despite themselves! And any business that aims to serve customers who need a low-cost product will have, as we did, struggles with some who truly can't afford it at all or are used to being so financially strapped that they're accustomed to not paying their bills.

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