research assistant

student worker

assistant professor

graduate researcher

assistant director

Temple University

A Typical Day at Work:
A typical day in the Undergraduate Admissions office involved juggling multiple tasks, from reviewing applications to presenting in front of crowds. However the admissions cycle is cyclical. In the Fall you are planning/scheduling/executing 200 high school visits and college fairs in your geographic territory, while attending open house events on campus.  In the Winter you are generally reading applications. Spring you are traveling (less than the Fall) and attending events on campus.

What I Learned:
Throughout my time at Temple, I gained valuable skills in communication, teamwork, travel/schedule management, and leadership. I developed a deeper understanding of the admissions process and the importance of fostering relationships with prospective students and other stakeholders, which enhanced my ability to advocate for the university's mission and the students I supported.

Management:
Management had a mix of strengths and weaknesses. While there were dedicated leaders who genuinely cared about the team's success, many retired or had their positions terminated. The succeeding leadership was inconsistent, with infrequent communication and significant gaps in support during high-pressure periods, creating challenges for the team. Implementing more transparency and opportunities for regular team feedback and check-ins could greatly enhance the overall experience.

Workplace Culture:
The workplace culture started positively but became increasingly challenging. Initially, there was a strong sense of camaraderie, but with a change in leadership, unprofessional behavior and a lack of respect began to overshadow the team spirit. Efforts to promote a more respectful and inclusive environment are crucial for the future.

The Hardest Part of the Job:
The hardest part of the job was managing the escalating travel expectations and high quotas  without corresponding support or compensation. The pressure to meet these demands, coupled with a toxic atmosphere, took a toll on morale and well-being.

The Most Enjoyable Part of the Job:
The most enjoyable aspect was engaging with prospective students and their families, helping them navigate the admissions process. Hearing their stories and sharing in their excitement about potential futures at Temple was truly fulfilling and reminded me of the impact we could make.

In summary, my experience at Temple University was a blend of growth and challenges. While I cherished the connections made and the opportunities for learning, I believe improvements in workplace culture and management practices are necessary to create a more positive environment for future employees.

As a Vice President, I recruit members and promote my organization. My organization and I apply our knowledge of Social Work out in the field. We participated in Pro-Act volunteer in Philadelphia, which involved setting up different stations for different health companies. We also transported boxes to different stations. We advertised the importance of healthy food by passing out magazines to people. We also participated in the walk-A-thon to support the people who have been recovering from drug addiction. We linked up with other organizations to clean up the streets and sidewalks in Kensington, Philadelphia. Additionally, we traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana, to help the people who were affected by Hurricane Katrina as well as other organizations. We participated in the Green Light Organization, Animal Rescue, Second Harvest, and Episcopal Church. In the Green Light Organization, we went around different people houses to install Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs and get rid of their old light bulbs, so they can save money on their electrical bills. In the Animal Rescue, we walked the dogs and cleaned up their cages. In the Second Harvest, we worked on a line, where we added food and beverages for students living in poor neighborhoods. In the Episcopal Church, we helped a bishop who was a contractor put up wall papers, connect electrical wires, and carpentry because his church was affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Within my department, my colleagues are overall great to work with and we benefit from flexible internal policies. The health benefits are superior, and if you can manage to snag a lower stress/pressure position, it’s worth taking advantage of the tuition remission.  As for salary, the university will continue to lose highly talented individuals who have years of beneficial institutional knowledge because of its ‘penny wise but pound foolish’ approach to promotion. Human Resources may have a proficient employee here or there, but our office has yet to encounter a rep who consistently knows what they are doing. While not an isolated problem to Temple, the interview and hiring process is  unnecessarily opaque, cumbersome and frustrating. It can be nearly impossible to promote talent outright, this instead means departments are saddled with posting positions in which there technically is no opening. It creates a false sense of hope for applicants and diminishes the promotion for whom it’s designated for.  Upper management directs from the top down and does not seem to factor in the collective needs of those serving students on the front lines. Turnover has become a major issue for positions that require a year plus to adequately train for, and until compensation has been addressed, wide pay disparities and career dissatisfaction will continue overshadowing the positive aspects of working with such a diverse student population.

A typical day of work would consist of helping student users with Microsoft Office, handling print errors, refilling ink cartridges in printers, making reservations, taking phone calls, implementing TECH Center policies, and answering questions regarding the various resources offered by the facility. I was able to learn how to become an asset in the work place by working in a fast-pace environment and using my skill set to help users with software, including GarageBand in the recording booths. I was surrounded by a group of optimistic, supportive and hands-on managers who were willing to teach, offer advice, and ensure that I am successful in my future endeavors. I also worked alongside hard-working co-workers, all of whom believed in the importance of team work, and helped me understand and take care of my responsibilities. Since this was a student job and I was working while taking six courses per semester, I would say that the most difficult aspect of my job was learning how to balance work with school. However, I was able forget about my hectic schedule during work because of the level of enjoyment I had in building connections within a professional atmosphere, providing quick and thorough customer assistance, helping co-workers, keeping myself preoccupied through various job duties, having a hands-on approach to learning, and feeling confident that I am a vital organ in the functioning of the TECH Center.

The work life balance depends on what department you work in. Some departments have implemented work at home policies (before the pandemic) but most did not. The culture will heavily depend on what department you work in as well. They can range from very pressured and strained to very laid back and cooperative. It really is a gamble, every department can operate very differently. They do not have a good maternity leave policy or any child care aid, but they have very good healthcare. 
The department that I work in has nice, social people. My coworkers are helpful and always will to give a hand if needed. Upper management is nice but can switch to chewing you out fairly easy. There is a lack of trust from upper management and despite their words of being open to new ideas they are rarely willing to implement anything unless they truly believe it is beneficial to them. They are more willing to discuss why things won't work than explore how they could, and that's if they are willing to discuss at all. Most time directives are given and expected to be followed no questions asked and no discussions had. My co-workers are more than willing to work together, but it is partly discouraged by the constant demand to follow the chain of command even if it is not the most effective way to a solution. There is constant micro-managing is probably the hardest part of the job.

Working at Temple University has been a boon to my professional life. I work with a small team of creative, driven, mindful professionals who are all dedicated to improving the lives of our students. 

The work culture encourages creativity and initiative, although the fact that my program is grant-funded often means that we don't always have the financial support to see our projects fully developed.

Management takes a very hand's-off approach to the day-to-day operations, which can be great when we need to move quickly and confidently, but a hindrance when our progress can only continue with the voice of our leadership. 

The most enjoyable part of this job for me is having an office filled with students clamoring for attention and assistance; being able to properly identify, assess, and solve my clients problems is a great feeling. The hardest part of this job has been balancing what we want to do for our students and what we have to do to maintain the grant, which is often more heavily weighed in favor of numbers than it is the actual reality of what those numbers represent.

A typical day at work starts at 8:00 am in the morning. I first clock in and then look into or maintenance direct system for maintenance slips from all over the campus. I direct the slips also known as jobs to the persons it needs to be assigned to as well as call if it is an emergency. I call in emergency calls to the laundry services, elevator services, cafeteria services, and overall emergency calls.
I have learned how to guide and deal with all kinds of different people when it comes to dealing room or campus issues.
My co-workers are great people. We laugh and we joke, but most importantly we get the job done first. Everyone in the office has different personality but we all enjoy ourselves while doing our job.
There is no hard part at my current job, but what use to be  the hardest part was dealing with angry parents who may be calling about their child and room issues. We as office assistance must provide the parents with all the information they need, and direct them to the people who can help them if we cannot. We must listen to the parents or callers and not get frustrated when they are angry. The most enjoyable part about my job is that i look forward to coming to work everyday and waiting to see what challenge the next day may bring.

The Math Department [from admin staff, adjuncts, faculty and professors] is a first-class organization!!

About the Department:
TU Department of Mathematics has an ongoing need for highly qualified adjunct faculty to staff a variety of mathematics and statistics courses each semester.  adjunct faculty may instruct 1 or 2 courses each semester on an "as needed" basis. Courses available for adjunct staffing are offered during the day and also in the evening. Courses available for adjunct staffing may include  statistics , intermediate & college algebra, precalculus, calculus. Adjunct/affiliate faculty are expected to prepare course materials, report midterm and final grades, provide support and guidance to students and offer three hours of office time each week for each course (face-to-face or zoom). Cooperating with course coordinators or other program faculty to assure quality and consistency across the program. May require standing for long periods of time, talking for long periods of time and carrying course materials.previous college level teaching experience and willingness to be flexible in class scheduling.

Sure, I can provide some general thoughts:

- **A typical day at work:** It's a mix of routine tasks, unexpected challenges, and hopefully some moments of inspiration or collaboration. Each day brings its own rhythm and demands.

- **What you learned:** Hopefully, every day offers an opportunity to learn something new, whether it's a skill, a piece of knowledge, or a fresh perspective on a problem.

- **Management:** Good management is supportive, communicative, and empowering. It sets clear goals, provides resources, and fosters a positive working environment.

- **Workplace culture:** A positive workplace culture is built on trust, respect, diversity, and collaboration. It's about feeling valued, supported, and motivated to do your best work.

- **The hardest part of the job:** The hardest part can vary depending on the nature of the work and individual preferences, but it often involves navigating challenges, solving difficult problems, or managing time and priorities effectively.

- **The most enjoyable part of the job:** The most enjoyable part is often the sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming challenges, making progress toward goals, and working with great colleagues who share your passion and drive.

What is the best part of working at the company?
I taught at Temple University for approximate.y 8 years part-time in their English Learning Department for English Learning Acquisition. The population I taught was wonderful.  My students were seeking to acquire the skills necessary to matriculate into Temple University as students.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
I found nothing stressful.  It was a very interesting job, and the students were so happy to have the opportunity to study in America.  I also had a wonderful time learning from them.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The environment is very, very supportive of students and staff.  My husband and I both taught at Temple University.  My husband was a very popular Adjunct Professor in the undergraduate and graduate Journalist Department.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I enjoyed my time at Temple so much!  I did not feel stressed.  I loved being a part of the campus life.  Planning lessons, which many times meant off-campus excursions was a joy.  I was always available to discuss any issues and concerns students had.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Research assistant 12 salaries reported	$34,528 per year
Student worker 4 salaries reported	$12.50 per hour
Assistant professor 7 salaries reported	$99,286 per year
Graduate researcher 10 salaries reported	$32,200 per year
Assistant director 9 salaries reported	$62,111 per year

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