administrative assistant

student assistant

housekeeper

graduate assistant

assistant professor

James Madison University

Many departments and larger organizations within JMU have a highly toxic organizational culture. People are often doing jobs for which they do not hold satisfactory credentials, and people with the qualifying credentials are often overlooked in favor of cronyism and nepotism. The only place where this doesn't seem to be true in my experience is in their dual-hiring "program" for dual-career couples in academia. The program lasts for one year, and only really involves someone from HR sending a letter on behalf of an applicant for any jobs that applicant decides to apply for. After that year, whether or not the other half of a couple has a job, the program ends. I had a very successful academic career before we moved here for my partner. Now I'm stuck in adjunct limbo, and my partner's work situation has steadily declined as a result of a highly toxic work environment (something that plagues my department as well). The  problems with my partner's department started pretty much from day 1. Now, several years later, I'm still in limbo, and my partner's situation has become increasingly toxic and threatening. Salaries for classified staff and part-time wage earners are punishingly low, with little to no room for upward mobility. There is a strange culture of people with only Master's degrees holding tenure-line faculty positions as well. STAY AWAY. Very toxic and not worth the hassle. The students are wonderful, but the toxic organizational culture pretty much wrecks anything positive. And Harrisonburg is not a great place to live. Consider all other options before accepting a job here.

I work with the College of Integrated Science and Engineering (CISE) Laboratory Operations team members in support of Environment group courses. I work collaboratively with the interim CISE Safety Liaison in support of the chemical and biological safety within CISE and in areas under the responsibility of the CISE Safety Liaison. I ensure appropriate preparation of reagents and supplies, and assess general lab supply inventories. I work with faculty to define and procure supplies for new lab exercises and courses. I understand the function and operation of laboratory instrumentation, such as: 
Autoclave, 96-Well Plate Readers/Spectrometers, thermocyclers, various incubators/shakers, gel documentation system, laminar flow hoods, and biological safety cabinets. I Assist in the maintenance of CISE purified water systems, and address issues related to equipment identification, tracking, and management. I work in cooperation with CISE Lab Operation fiscal support to specify and support processes associated with ordering of supplies and small equipment, and I address issues of “wet” laboratory safety and coordinate with the interim CISE Safety Liaison to facilitate safe laboratory practices in all areas of responsibility in accordance with JMU safety documentation.
The most enjoyable part of my job is working with the students and faculty at JMU. My co-workers and management are fantastic, and constantly look out for my best interest and the best interest of the students.

A typical day was from 8-5 p.m. Working the Registrar's office consisted of multi-tasking of acquiring transcripts; pulling records from files drawers in a vault and on computer from request order forms. Also request forms for change of major; setting up schedules for students through a software database. Took in grades from teachers and followed through on paperwork so students would acquire their grade reports. Also helped with verifying graduation status and setting up graduation programs. The Alumni office was strictly data entry from data sources given to us by The Advancement offices, The Breeze (JMU Magazine), for organizations on campus to add information to JMU alumni database information. Several times a year setting up an Alumni meeting on campus for board members or specific former classes or societies. This was considered overtime.
Alumni 1990-1994 Registrar 1995-1997

Varied work days between setting up water samplers for collection during impending storm events, or bringing in collected samples. Once samples were collected work days consisted of performing lab tests for water quality indicators and pollutants of concern such as Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Total Suspended Solids, and Turbidity. Following testing data analysis was performed on following work days with the goal to look for data trends.

My supervisor/project lead was helpful and patient with the project team while we were initially learning the testing and analysis techniques needed for the project.

The hardest part of the job was balancing work time with time devoted to schooling. This eventually became easy for the project team and myself, but was an initial hurdle we needed to overcome.

The most enjoyable part of the job was the invaluable experience that was gained in lab testing procedures, data analysis, and field sample collection.

Students, faculty, and staff verbally express high satisfaction with the JMU. The students are prepared for college work and highly motivated to succeed. They also enjoy a balance of academics, social life, and community engagement. There is a positive vibe around campus with polite greetings, doors being held open, and positive attitudes. Faculty and staff work hard, and for many, the compensation could be better. 
It's not easy to move from part-time to full-time employment, especially for adjunct professors. Yet apart from poor financial compensation and lack of benefits, adjuncts seem to be treated with a great deal of respect. There are many free opportunities for professional development, thanks to the Center for Faculty Innovation.  Seminars and other meetings often include nice breakfasts, lunches, or snacks. Faculty are well-equipped to improve pedagogical practices and pursue scholarship opportunities. It's a healthy and vibrant environment.

Working as a Resident Advisor during college was an incredibly valuable and rewarding experience. The role allowed me to develop strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills while supporting a diverse student community. I learned how to handle urgent situations calmly, provide guidance during stressful moments, and connect residents with appropriate campus resources. Balancing academic responsibilities with the RA role helped me strengthen my time management and organizational skills, while also reinforcing accountability and professionalism.

Being an RA gave me the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with residents and fellow staff members, creating a supportive and inclusive living environment. The position also enhanced my ability to work as part of a team, navigate conflict, and advocate for student well-being. Overall, the RA role was a great way to gain real-world experience, contribute positively to campus life, and grow both personally and professionally while in college.










































































































































Housekeeping at Jmu is a joke. They expect you to keep everything spotless and perfect with people living there.

They punch holes in building walls, destroy water fountains, urinate and defecate on the floors and stairwells and throw up everywhere.

You want a job that says you don't have to do overtime but then requires you to sign up or they are going to "pull a name out of the hat" this is for you!

Literally the only reason people have stayed there is because they have kids and like the time off during the holidays, the time given to take off, schedule and the insurance.

Good luck finding parking most days during the school year. On top of the over $200 you pay to park on campus they don't enforce parking on the students that park in your spots, even with signage.

Summers, oh the summers! Cleaning the rooms that these rooms that havent been cleaned all year. They expect you to get a whole building done in 2 weeks. Want time off. Sure just be prepared for "are you sure you can't come in?" 


As a Resident Advisor (RA), we are leaders and monitors to a floor of residents.  We help to create communities in the residence halls, as well as coordinate fun and educational events to help stimulate the experience of living on a college campus.
A typical day at work would be greeting the residents in the hallway, writing emails, and creating programs that are both fun and educational to the residents.
The hardest part of the job was "writing up" a resident when he/she/they broke campus rules or state laws.  Having to write a report about a resident that you knew would put them in a serious and uncomfortable situation with the school was never easy or fun.
The most enjoyable part of the job was creating the fun and/or educational monthly programs for the residents.

During my Master’s degree at JMU, I have had the opportunity and luxury of having a graduate assistantship where I have been responsible for teaching the human biomechanics laboratory to juniors and seniors. I am solely responsible for teaching the biomechanics lab; I teach three sections per week and currently have a total of seventy (70) students. Within the lab, we perform activities that correspond to the lectures the students are being taught so that they can see the concepts put into action. Concepts that we cover are gait analysis, ergonomic efficiency, coefficient of restitution, among many others.

Through teaching I have been able to enhance my teaching style to meet the needs of all the different types of students (visual learners, hands-on learners, soak it all up learners) and enhance my presentations to reach all of the students.

Management is a total mess! Very little reward for doing a good job. Hardest workers get to do most of the work. Lazy workers are rewarded. Management treats you badly, and works you like a dog. Most in Management are related, which is a conflict of interest. Always short of help, and you’re expected to do the work of more than one person. Always in a hurry. Rarely is there proper time to do a job. Equipment is old and worn out.  If you don’t volunteer to work overtime, then your name goes into a hat to be possibly picked. I have noticed that this department cannot keep enough help. People are constantly quitting. Management has lots of excuses, but few solutions. The benefits are good, but the pay and expectations are lousy. I defiantly do not recommend working for the Housekeeping Department.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Administrative assistant 8 salaries reported	$41,875 per year
Student assistant 29 salaries reported	$12.89 per hour
Housekeeper 14 salaries reported	$14.28 per hour
Graduate assistant 7 salaries reported	$9,804 per month
Assistant professor 8 salaries reported	$86,563 per year

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