graduate assistant

graduate researcher

assistant professor

research assistant

tutor

University of Arkansas

A typical day at work varied depending on the shift. Morning shift was always pretty stress free and it was easy to get any work done quickly and efficiently. Afternoon shifts were pretty hectic (except for Fridays) as there were usually large amounts of students coming in and out of the center, but it kept you on your toes and the work could still be completed efficiently. I learned a lot of things while working there. I learned how to use Excel effectively, which is honestly a very important skill to have. My organizational skills improved as well. My bosses were great. They were understanding and approachable. I enjoyed working with all of my co-workers and teaching the new ones the ropes. The hardest part of the job had to be the pressure during the busy times. It was difficult sometimes to check everyone in quickly enough, especially when there were unforeseen issues (such as tutors just not showing up or when the server decided to go down for a few days). But even with that stress, it was still a fun job. One really cool thing about the ELC is that you can study or do homework during down time. That way your work and studies are balanced out. Also the schedule was made around your academic schedule, so there is no need to worry about that. The only issue with that is, depending on everyone else's academic schedule, you may or may not get the hours you need.

Jobs posted for the University usually require a College Degree for any position including things like dorm monitor. They do tend to look internally for employees so once you are working for the university there are some options if you get to know people. I am supposedly paid on a Salary, but the manager adjusts our time sheets to fit exactly 40 hours every week or I was told it would effect our paychecks. You receive some help with health care but the pay is so small in the entry positions I have yet to be able to go to a doctor because of the copay. Even if I found some extra money on the ground you don't have any time to go to the doctor because although you receive one vacation and one sick day every month, your manager will insist that you use pieces of them to cover issues with the time sheets. 
Women are found at the Secretary desks and not many other places. Men are found in charge in every department. HR does not care about entry level positions. Saving money is the idea. I have been told repeatedly that my job, and the jobs of everyone in the Department, are to make our Department head happy. Our department head takes great advantage of this.  
They require expensive parking permits, if you cannot afford one on the small salary we are given than there are Buses. If you are late because of a bus they do not care, it will come down on your head.

I worked with a diverse group of people from many different disciplines to create new biosensor technology to detect bacteria/virus in food samples. Disciplines included food safety, electrical engineering, biotech/biomed engineering, microbiology, and chemistry. I learned how to manage time and multiple projects at the same time along with different groups of individuals. Management was headed by my major professor who greatly aided in my needs throughout the program. I even received the opportunity to manage a few projects, which helped me expand my knowledge and growth immensely. My coworkers throughout the years were other students from all over the world. I worked with students from India, China, Thailand, Iraq, and Kazakhstan. They were all great people and helped me adjust to working with and learning things about multiple backgrounds. The hardest part of the job was meeting new students and having to say goodbye only a year or two later after getting to know them so well. The most enjoyable part of the job was being able to meet so many outstanding people from all over the world and learning about their backgrounds. Also, the feeling of working as a team and helping others to fulfill their goals as they in turn help you is incomparable to anything else.

Working at the University of Arkansas has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me. The university provides an exceptional environment for learning and professional growth, with a wide range of resources and support for its employees. The faculty and staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and always willing to help.

One of the things I appreciate the most about the University of Arkansas is its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The university actively promotes and celebrates diversity, and it is evident in everything from the people to the programs. The campus is a melting pot of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, making it a great place to learn and work. I feel valued and respected as an individual, and I am proud to be a part of such a welcoming and tolerant community.

In addition, the University of Arkansas is an institution that prioritizes growth and development. I have been given countless opportunities to learn and expand my skill set, both through formal training and on-the-job experiences. I feel empowered to take on new challenges and make a difference in my work, and I am grateful for the support and encouragement from my colleagues and supervisors.

Overall, I highly recommend working at the University of Arkansas. It is a wonderful place to learn, grow, and be part of a community that values diversity, inclusion, and tolerance.

The institution presents a positive image and has some really good benefits such as 10% matching for retirement, a healthy amount of vacation/sick/holiday time, and tuition discount for employees and their dependents.  People just starting a career have opportunity to gain experience if they can survive on the low salaries offered to entry level positions and keep an eye out for midlevel openings that come available overtime.

The negative aspects of the institution has been weak and/or immature leadership from the upper levels down into several different administrative units.  Many times successful individual contributors are forced into supervisor or manager roles because of no non-management career track exists which results in ineffective management.  Other times midlevel management is hired with a corporate background that tend to micromanage and create a culture of fear.  Communication is lacking and many basic services (think basic IT services) are very immature (or lacking) for the size of the organization.

A typical day as the Event Planning Chair for the iConnect group involves creating 4 or more activities (I usually provide 6 options) for the mentor families to do. The posting includes: the Activity, Significance, and a Hint for each activity. I mainly connect mentor families with information to resources off and on campus. An example would be of a location on campus where they can rent a laptop at no charge, or finding what the extended hours for the Mullins Library during this season. I speak in front of the mentor families every month during our general assembly meeting and organize seating, music, news, and always seek to improve our meetings and presentations. 

As a team we constantly work together, last month I contacted our Communication Marketing chairmen and collaborated to engage and attract more social media attention. This resulted in a very successful event called ‘What Connects Us.”

The hardest part of the job would have to be accommodating to everyones schedules. Different class and work schedules can mean for late evening meetings.

The most enjoyable part of this job has been to see the bonds that have been created through this organization. Mentor families provide support for one another through out the semester, and have become life long companions.

Enjoyed working with the people in my department, My working environment was very good. I worked with 4 Chairman's/Directors, 29 Faculty and Staff over the span of 20 years. All of them exceptional. I enjoyed the diversity and culture being at a university. I have lived many places over the years to include overseas. The hardest part of working at the U of A was the overall management of working for such a large institution with so many different policies and regulations in which each department worked under, made it difficult for anything to get through the system in a timely manner without a large amount of bureaucracy to deal with.  I was a classified state employee, and it has been frustrating after being here for 20 years, I still remained underpaid for the years of service I gave to the university.  The administration claimed they had no way of increasing our pay due to the states lack of moving classified positions to where they could move up the pay scale. Though HR posted the pay scales there really was no way they could implement them. Working at the university did enrich my life where I met exceptionally open minded people, I was treated well by my piers, and I learned a lot about the education system.

The day usually begins with inventory of all government equipment and accountability.  Meetings that provide information for upcoming events ie; Ranger challenge, Field Training Exercises, and Color Guard for the University athletics department.  I have learned numerous logistics computer programs to enhance the efficiency of property accountability,  working with higher headquarters, ordering meals and transportation for field environments, and working together as a team.  My coworkers bring a fun and energetic type of atmosphere to the work area.  We try very hard to ensure all of our members are on the right page when it comes to training, traveling to military bases for logistical support, and providing out cadets with the best gear the army offers.  The hardest part of the job is not knowing if there will be a furlough today and a job tomorrow.  The most enjoyable is seeing the cadets you have trained for four years walk across that stage now as 2nd Lieutenants in the United States Army.

Job of a teacher requires a good preparation of lectures and labs that are adapted to diverse learning capabilities of the students. It is very time consuming because I am the only instructor of soil sciences. Opportunities of research on problems faced by limited resources farmers exist. My supervisor are very understanding and knows that I work hard to assume my responsibilities. My colleagues are very friendly and supportive. The hardest part of the job is a lower number of student at the university and especially in the plant-soil science disciplines. With lower enrollment, the job security may be in doubt despite my efforts to work. The most enjoyable part of the job is when I recommend students for internships and when they graduate and are hired after graduation. Also, I enjoy talking to farmers, addressing their concerns and producing meaningful impacts.

I am currently a graduate student pursuing a masters degree in percussion performance. I also am a Graduate Assistant, meaning that in addition to my responsibilities as a student, I am also held accountable for performing a role as an educator to undergraduate students. This provides me with the opportunity to collaborate with tenured faculty to further my understanding of how to function in a mature workplace to effectively and efficiently achieve my goals, and the goals of the department. The hardest part of my function is striking a good balance between my role as staff and my role as a student. It can become frustrating at times due to the work load. I spend approximately 12 or more hours a day doing work, homework, or other school/ work related activities. The most enjoyable part of my job is the relationships that I am able to enjoy with the faculty as well as the students. Because of my role in the department, I am able to have a unique relationship with both. This also helps to contribute to a supportive and friendly work environment.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Graduate assistant 5 salaries reported	$17,800 per year
Graduate researcher 3 salaries reported	$20,533 per year
Assistant professor 6 salaries reported	$85,333 per year
Research assistant 3 salaries reported	$24,833 per year
Tutor 4 salaries reported	$15.00 per hour

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