administrative assistant

assistant professor

graduate assistant

associate professor

temperature screener

Duquesne University

While I was a student at Duquesne University, I worked as a Desk side tech, working closely with university faculty to ensure their various technical problems were resolved in a timely, non intrusive manner. Using the years of experience my fellow employees were happy to share, I learned to use a systematic, scientific approach to solving computer issues ranging from software crashes, blue screens of death, and virus isolation and extermination. 
It was stressed that each employee maintain a professional attire and demeanor, however, the most enjoyable part of the job, in my opinion, was the laid back atmosphere that prioritized a job well done over the amount of work accomplished in a given day. We worked with dean's computers, law professor's cell phones, or cleaning up the viruses on a public, shared workstation. If the work of the day was indeed demanding, the bedside manner of both co-workers and university staff alike was something that was a cherished part of the day.

I prepared samples of vanadium oxides and hematite and milled them for various amounts of time in a magnetic ball milling machine. Then the lead researcher examined the samples using mossbauer spectroscopy and I used the NORMOS 90 program to analyze the results. The majority of my time was spent using NORMOS. I learned programming techniques, the theory behind mossbauer spectroscopy, and the potential applications of vanadium oxide and hematite reactions. The work was very independent and solitary, and the only time I contacted the lead researcher was when I had a question or needed her help. The hardest part of the job was narrowing down the hyperfine parameters because even a very small change (perhaps 1%) could change the overall error by a tremendous amount (on average about 200% but as much as 5000%). The most enjoyable part of the job was the final product, seeing the plots and presenting the data. After having done so much work the final product was very satisfying.

I worked at Duquesne University for nearly two years and had the privilege of fundraising for the university throughout my fall, spring, and summer semesters. I called, left messages, drafted letters for, delivered, and signed off on information for the university's thousands of donors and sponsors. I reported to the department chairs of the offices of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. I worked closely with two colleagues, and we each had separate responsibilities, calling lists, and events to manage. The most difficult part of my job would be when I struggled to get a consistent or positive response from the persons I reached out to. However, the most fulfilling part of my job came from receiving the positive and encouraging responses which resulted in attendance, participation, and fundraising for local university and national alumni chapter events.

Had such high hopes for my job.  I interviewed and was hired for one job yet  ended up doing manual work pushing paper. Bait and switch. Turnover is very high because people have been in power for years and resist change. They don’t keep up with technology (just look at their website and get past the pretty pictures and references to social media) and don’t want to recognize that change is a positive thing. They “implemented” work from home, but anyone interested in it is scoffed at. We were told by the director “don’t even bother, none of you are permitted to do it”.  There’s jealousy of new employees who are smart and have good ideas, they are beaten down until they just give up and leave. The financials are bleak because enrollment is down. No students = layoffs and pay and budget freezing (unless you’re an executive).  If you take a job there just beware. It’s not  you, it’s them.

I absolutely loved my time in the Public Affairs Office. It was a work study job. Unfortunately, as I graduated I had to leave my position as an Office Aide. My coworkers were always supportive of my studies and any future opportunities. This was my first experience in a physical office in the Communications field. They always answered any questions I had and taught me a lot about the industry. 

The hardest part of the job was learning all of the different processes in the beginning. A lot needs to be done on a daily basis. Thankfully, I am a fast learner and the staff helped me whenever I needed it.

A typical day doesn't exist in the office! That is also probably the most enjoyable part of my job. There are some things that must be done daily, such as the media report. But I was given different writing assignments and projects to work on in the office based on what they needed.

As a graduate assistant, I divide my time between assisting other faculty/staff and working on projects specific to my role. My particular graduate assistantship is good for someone who is very self-motivated because, while projects are expected to get done, it's rare for supervisors to check in and/or offer support when challenges emerge. As a result, I sometimes feel like I have to reinvent the wheel when coming up with solutions to problems I encounter. Despite this frustrating aspect, the work environment is very convivial and laid-back, so I have the time and space I need to work through challenges whenever they emerge.

A typical day is very high paced with many distractions.  I meet with students one on one and in groups while balancing registration and emergency instances for students and faculty.  I answer 80-100 emails daily.  I learned patience, discernment, reliability, and impeccable work ethics.  The culture is constantly changing but I adapt easily as I am a team worker.  The hardest part is during registration semesters maintaining a 250 plus student load on top of emergencies, teaching, and family.  I love working with students and their families because our mission statement is "we serve God by serving students, families, faculty and staff."

A typical day at work is sitting at the front desk and making sure the students have their IDs to enter the facility. I have learned to trust my peers and friends who work there. I have also learned to be more social than I previously was. The management was very flexible with work schedules. Everyone is always friendly at the workplace. The hardest part was dealing with students that would not turn around and bring their IDs to the facility simply because they forgot them. The enjoyable part of the job was being able to do my school work and chatting with my coworkers and friends.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The schedule is rather nice for most positions

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
What is a raise?  There is no reason to be loyal here unless you have kids getting ready for college

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Strenuous at best.  Provide service, not get recognized for it, get used to dealing with fake people, especially in administration 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Start at 6:45, highly detailed workday, who knows what you will get, prepare to be wrong a lot. Go home.  Rinse, repeat.

I helped to develop the Community Curriculum that included student experience in the poverty stricken communities in Pittsburgh, PA.  These experiences included visits and clinical experiences in homeless shelters, homeless clinical sites, the jailed population, hearing and vision impaired schools, sites that may not be in a  "normal" student curriculum.  
Other responsibilities also included classroom instruction, physical assessment skills in a lab situation, and supervision and evaluation in each clinical site.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Administrative assistant 1 salary reported	$22.70 per hour
Assistant professor 4 salaries reported	$92,328 per year
Graduate assistant 3 salaries reported	$28,000 per year
Associate professor 3 salaries reported	$95,333 per year
Temperature screener 10 salaries reported	$33.50 per hour

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