student assistant

administrative assistant

academic advisor

graduate researcher

assistant professor

The University of Akron

I worked as full-time faculty for nearly two decades teaching undergraduates a wide range of Gen-Ed and upper division courses, served on numerous committees and cross-discipline projects, did research and presented on national conferences, mentored junior faculty and teaching assistants. After all these years of hard work, my position (which wasn't even a high paying position) was eliminated without any warning, or severance pay, because of a budget shortfall (as the administration at the time claimed).  I stayed as adjunct faculty teaching part-time because at the time of my full-time position elimination I was in dire economic need. As a part-time faculty now I teach close to a full-time teaching load for a fraction of the pay, with no benefits. I can't wait to get out of this place. The upper administration runs the university like a business, all they care is the bottom-line, mainly relying on part-time cheap labor for teaching: about 70-75% of the faculty teaching the bulk of the Gen-Ed courses and some upper division courses are part-time faculty, getting paid peanuts with no health benefits, no raises, nothing. A big chunk of the full-time faculty who lost their positions with the budget cuts are now part-time faculty, some of them teaching close to their previous full-time load for peanuts. The university received federal money to cope with the Covid-19 budget shortfall, part of that money was supposed to help save jobs, which did not happen. The administration put some of that money on student financial aid (which is a good thing- plus, they had to because part of the package they received was for this purpose), but the rest they put it on reserves. In the mean-time, the top administrators were rewarded with pay increases and bonuses, and additional upper administration positions were created. There's poor work morale after Covid-19 hit and the major reduction in force in the summer of 2020. This low work morale is all over campus (among faculty, staff, and even advisors). I loved my job as a professor and I dedicated a whole life time to it (I taught in other places before coming to the University of Akron).  But I cannot say that I can continue "loving" it with this demoralizing change of working conditions and the loss of my full-time salary. One cannot support a family on $18,000 a year teaching 3 courses (which is close to full-time teaching load).  The only bright spot are the students. Nothing else. Oh, yes, and some of the colleagues. There are good people working there but they are not treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. 

Failing financial budget, under paid professors, very poor management at all levels. Professors do not stay due to the schools no respect for research. Academic programs are failing and not keeping up in fields thus recruiting lower level students. Good researchers have left the school showing the writing is on the wall that the school has become a community college. No respect for quality teaching, very few graduate programs. Deans, directors and managers are fearful of speaking up for ethical and moral rights. Every college within the university consistently is headed by interim Deans with little to no experience. Definitely not a place for smart faculty to pursue their academic careers. Revolving door of presidents, weak union, faculty who are just doing their time to retire creates the very negative work environment. 
Prior to taking a position at the university be sure to read local newspaper publications going back ten years to understand the dysfunction that has ruined the school. The national school ranking with poor recruitment and retention of students paints the clear picture of what it is like working for the university. Nearby Kent State and Cleveland State have significantly stronger work environments. 
Academic programs are filled with random part time teachers because the school is too cheap to hire professionals. 


Working 8 hours a day in an academic office on campus provided lots of time to witness and hear the dysfunction of the management. Classes are instructed by uninformed part time instructors. Tenured professors are never in their offices and not helpful to students. Students complain and no changes are made. Graduate degrees and graduate assistantships have been eliminated. Degree programs continue to go down hill. School directors/chairs, Deans and managers are uninformed and do not put students first. Many Akron students transfer to other schools. 
Definitely be very cautious about both attending as a student or working as an employee. Very negative work environment. The school is a large size community college, low wages for employees while students get billed outrageous fees built into tuition. Professors in every department are lacking in professionalism. Continue to market the school as a positive place while firing and laying off employees every couple of years. Working in the office for three years showed me how poor education is behind the scenes. My particular school director was horrible and she only was concerned with herself which is the climate across campus. 

The University of Akron needs to seek to change there ways of business if they are going to survive in this century of ever changing educational regulations. They need to change focus of the industry and learn to operate more like a business than in institution. They need to scale down the Administration and work on contracts that are equal and fair for all employees no matter what position they may hold. Providing higher level employees with extended contracts beyond their terminations do not provide for great moral in the lower ranks of employees. If an employee does their job and is dismissed, they are not given a years worth of severance, they are lucky to receive two weeks. Depending up what status one may hold the employment contracts are not fair across the board. 
It seems that UA rewards those who do not do their jobs or meet the criteria outlined in their job descriptions and punishes those that work hard everyday in the trenches. If it were not for these people the doors would close tomorrow and UA would be no more.

Working at The University of Akron has benefited me in many ways. A typical day for me at The University of Akron involves me updating and correcting information with our systems. I work on may different projects for my advisors and are required to pay a great amount of attention to detail. Some typical tasks involve me updating individuals information in our system from their work experience to their address and personal information, I always have to make sure the information is correct and up to date. I have learned what expectations are required of me including my work performance and attitude. I know what kind of work is expected of me and know what I need to have finished, I have learned more about completing jobs within their time frame and learning how to multi-task in order to complete them on time. A hard part of my job is not getting too overwhelmed about the work I'm doing and to continue to remember what I enjoy most about my job. I enjoy working with other people and receiving the chance to excel at my job by volunteering for more projects and learning more about the department at The University of Akron.

This was my first office/desk job, especially being an undergrad student at the time. It was a great experience having a student office assistant job along with administrative tasks on a typical day at work. I learned a lot even though my major wasn't of a english or creative writing background. The English Department at the University of Akron fosters a collaborative and supportive workplace culture, emphasizing critical thinking, skilled communication, and an appreciation of cultural contexts. The hardest part of the job was balancing school, organizations/clubs and personal life while managing to work hours. The most enjoyable part of the job was building relationships with faculty and staff, gaining valuable skills, exposure to academic life, and a flexible and convenient work setup. Thank you to the English Department at the University of Akron for creating such a welcoming and supportive environment during my time as a student and office assistant. It’s been a privilege to learn and grow here!

The University has been a great opportunity for both myself and my family. I started out in 1991 as the executive chef for dinning services and became an adjunct professor in 1996, moving to a full time position in the Hospitality Management program in 2000. I have had the opportunity to further my education, and I am continuing to do so, as well as provide a wonderful education for all 3 of my children, 2 of whom are still here. I truly enjoy my job as the instructor of a class that operates a restaurant 5 days a week for lunch, and 1 evening each week 

The most difficult part of my job is the current economic climate. Today 215 employees were terminated in a cost savings move. The issue as I see it is that not one high level administrator was terminated, it was all low level employees, some with 20 years of service. My job was cut from a 12 month appointment (coded as staff, because I do not a have a masters degree, it is in process) to 9 months and a 3 month cut in pay.

There is no room for advancement and never has been a commitment to developing employees. They prefer to hire management and executive positions from outside their employees and who could blame them? After a short while here, most are so jaded and disgruntled that they are fit for little more than retirement. The work is easy (too easy) and this tends to attract those who have not done well elsewhere and want a comfortable ride to the end of their line with a generous  benefit package. It's as hard to be terminated as it is to advance and so there is little motivation to do anything aside from what it takes not to be noticed. The University more or less has an IT division to go through the motions of promoting technology and offering somewhat relevant online experiences to their shrinking enrollment. This institution is fit only for IT professionals in the sunset of their career who favor security over interesting work or career growth. I am not yet 60 so I could not possibly recommend this job to anyone.

I train and manage student assistants and graduate assistants to create a team environment in the front office. We have a great team, and we are always a head in meeting our deadlines. We greet students, and assist in their needs, or point them in the right direction if it is something that our department can not handle for them. On a typical day I enroll students into their classes by phone, email, or in person. I run reports for my boss, track professional development funds, review and sign time cards, written correspondence, filing, handle contracts, and assemble and administer faculty part-time hire packets, and grad assistant packets. I also route, and assort mail, make copies, fax documents, and work with class scheduling, and course evaluations.

I have worked at the Bierce Library at The University of Akron for more than two years now. It is a student job that can give me a finical push to support myself. I work usually in the breaks between my classes. My usual week schedule includes 5-8 tutoring hours. 
The tutoring area has its own section of the library to insure the good quality of serves. 
A typical day would be me doing my homework until a student who needs help in one of the subjects I tutor shows up. I have learned to relearn what I have learned before, and in different ways! different students need different type of help. What always make me happy during work is helping someone who is putting the effort and helping me to help them out. Some students think I am there to do their work for them. Some students think that a tutor should know the answer immediately. Such challenge are possible in such environment of work. However, it is very entertaining. That is because we are all in the same boat at the end. Also, it is very blessing to me when I see my tutees happy that I was able to help them.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Student assistant 4 salaries reported	$11.50 per hour
Administrative assistant 3 salaries reported	$16.19 per hour
Academic advisor 1 salary reported	$43,888 per year
Graduate researcher 3 salaries reported	$30,000 per year
Assistant professor 9 salaries reported	$73,778 per year

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