research assistant

graduate researcher

assistant professor

accountant

postdoctoral fellow

University of New Mexico

Working as a Training and Development consultant is a great potential to make a big change one program at a time in the life of children, their families and in the recognition of the child development field.

Working with the excellent, dedicated, creative and intelligent staff at UNM has been an honor.  Finding the agencies of the state and all the CD programs sitting at the same table to discuss the issues, concerns, advancements and challenges we face, has been a first time experience for my eyes to witness.

Traveling across the state, thousands of miles each month to work with the dedicated preschool directors, teachers and children, have also been an experience I will forever cherish.  With the challenges this state is faced with: economic, environmental, educational opportunities and yet the people I have met in this field all have the same thing in mind and heart- to be the best they can be with their resources.

Through meeting with directors and teachers and discussing their needs and how they can work towards the verification process and watching them reach their goals, is very exciting to say the least.  I am one of many consultants stationed in Ruidoso, Roswell and Carrizozo, living in ABQ.  Together the directors and I decide on what is the steps needed to be taken.  Then I write up the doable agreed upon goals with an Action Plan.  As the goals are met, we check them off and write new ones.  Each visit is followed up by another report that reflects our conversation and suggestions.

I also mentor in the classroom by showing the teachers ACP with powerful connections with the children through play, music and movement and exploratory arts.  The interaction and connections we have with these children and families are of the up most importance.

There are trainings that the preschool centers need all the staff to take to be verified, and I am fortunate enough to be allowed to teach these workshops to them.  They learn about the Environment with the ECERS, ITTERS, FACCERS, and school age Environmental Rating Scale. They learn about observations, documentations, curriculum  and planning with the constant reflection to review what works and does not work through the workshops of Powerful Interactions, and Authentic Observation Documentation, Curriculum, Portfolio Planning workshops.  They are taught about ways to recognize advancements while building on strengths the children have by using the Early Learning Guidelines book that is thoroughly explained word for word during the ELG workshops.  We celebrate their achievements as they move up the star level in the FOCUS verification. 

There is plenty of paper work connected to this job, and we need to keep it for the state to review.  We record mileage, cite visits, action plans, time we work on anything we work on.

Another aspect of this job is the training all us consultants have to take.  It keeps us fresh and gives us new ideas on how to work better in the field.  We have been trained well on all the workshops mentions, but we also have been offered classes such as Reflective Communications, the Circle of Security and the CLASS workshops. Very valuable information was offed in each of these workshops.  We communicate well with each other by phone, email, face to face, meetings and trainings.  There is a lot to learn here in NM and I am happy I have had the opportunity to work with such a team of professionals!

I worked on the Administrative Team for one of the UNM Health Sciences departments. In my role, each day was computer-intensive, so I recommend getting supports to protect your body overtime, such as ergonomic devices and screen filters for your eyes (if I asked, my department likely would have bought these things for me).
Overall, my department's managers were very supportive and most communicated well. My position ended up being more accounting-heavy than I expected based on the job description, but I got the hang of things within a few months. Another nice thing was that I accrued paid leave and was eligible for insurance even though I was only a part-time employee. Also, in my department, there were a variety of roles and opportunities for growth if you were there for a long time. Additionally, UNM gives a 4% raise annually (that I know of, though this may not apply to all positions).
Some things to consider before applying at UNMH is that you will likely need to learn many different systems. Additionally, for whatever reason, you will be given two accounts--one for UNMH, and one for UNM Main Campus. This was extremely frustrating when I was hired because you will use your UNMH ID for some sites and your Main Campus ID for other sites, and there are no materials that clearly outline which one is applicable and where. In other words, you just have to figure it out as you go. Another thing that was frustrating and oftentimes interrupted my workflow were outdated materials. It seems that many of the webpages are outdated, including the contact information, and even a handful of their policies. I have never worked somewhere before where I heard, "Oh, that needs to be updated" SO frequently. Something else to consider is that UNM is in love with using an absurd amount of acronyms/initialisms. I highly recommend creating a list to help you keep track of these and help you learn them quickly.
Another challenge for me personally (though other colleagues have also expressed this frustration) was using a P-card. Not that purchasing materials was challenging, but the training you are required to take to obtain a P-card is *extremely* generalized and is basically just a walkthrough of their (outdated) policy pages. So when you actually go to make your first purchase, there are things like Ship To Exceptions, Account and Commodity Codes, departmental approval, and so much more that are not thoroughly covered in the training. My advice: either don't apply for a job with a P-card, or if you do get a job the requires you to use a P-card, do the training and then work with your department's Fiscal Team or Accounting Specialist to understand your department's specific procedures for purchasing. Ask questions and work with someone to walk you through your first few purchases. Because UNM's P-card training is terrible, you WILL get things wrong, but it is not the end of the world, and you will get less wrong if your communicate and work with others who have experience.
On a lighter note, I did really enjoy getting to know my colleagues. Everyone acts like an adult, most people I worked were accountable, and, from my experience, we were all willing to be flexible to help other colleagues as responsibilities and tasks fluctuated. The culture was overall supportive, mature, and reasonably flexible.

I've read numerous reviews and I don't agree with them at this point in time. Certainly,  when the hospital opened there was indeed a dire need of change. There always is in any organization during its entire existence. 

The original crew of leadership has changed. I've seen improvement with this. There were also many, many inexperienced staff when the facility first opened and education and training was not optimal.  This has also improved and still needs improvement. 

Most of the surrounding communities did not know the hospital existed the first two years, given its location.  The word has gotten out and public advertising has improved. 

Sure there are areas that still need work, but what organization doesn't?  If everyone would dig in, do their job, and not spend so much time complaining. ... the trouble issues and people would weed themselves out. That's one of the reasons there was turnover in management and staff....besides the original management. 

The facility is top notch, management has improved and the global plan is solid. Benefits are good. I've checked and worked around the nation and these are decent. Another pay raise is happening October 2015. Also with the Career Advancement Program you can get up to an extra $3 an hour, the $1-2 is relatively easy to aquire.  The management has even hired an outside company to review the pay and benefits, and this should increase both of these areas even more. 

 Speciality providers are an issue, New Mexico has trouble getting new ones to begin with, and with this being a facility that is only 3 years old and it's location... it's a struggle to get providers to come here.

If you live in Rio Rancho,  you can't beat the commute time, the pay, and the potential for advancement as the hospital and community grows.

My personal belief is that T.A. positions are extremely underpaid, as Universities heavily rely on T.A.s to teach the majority of undergraduate courses without paying them properly. Our department was limited to 2 Phds and 1 lecturer (who happened to be a Phd), all other courses were taught by 6 T.A.s at approximately $ 1,300 a month, which is not nearly enough for an average adult student to survive on, especially not if they have family. The Universities justify this low pay by the fact that you get to study the program for free, and they require you to only be a T.A. while you teach. They have lost touch with all of reality and in practice are just interested in providing cheap labor for understaffed departments. they get 6 T.As and are paying maybe for the equivalent of one Phd (or 1.5).
As a T.A. there are some things that are valuable, but you are basically doing everything for the school with no proper training to be a teacher, it is all add hoc. Even lesson planning (which is crucial to learning) is not taught in a course; it is mentioned and covered during orientation for an hour if you are lucky. You get to design all lesson plans, assignments, exam, etc. despite the fact that you really aren't trained or qualified to do so. 

If you live with roommates, have no financial obligations to speak of and just want to get your masters without paying for it, than a T.A ship might be great for you. If you need it as a job DON"T go that route. You will be swamped by work, grading, designing, studying, testing all kinds of other related stuff, without true instruction and very little time left to do anything else.

If you're looking for a job where you can be part of a family, UNM is the best. It's great to have the students around. The perks are the best. You have great retirement, great access to swimming, the gym, all sports, tickets to games, theater, Popejoy, etc. Unless you're are working at a faculty level do not expect any acknowledgement of the work you do, how hard you work, and the dedication to your job. Anyone less than faculty, is just there to support faculty and researchers. Get that in your head. Jobs can be exciting. I've had wonderful experiences working for different research projects, traveling, planning events, etc. If you are not in that type of job, expect to be stuck in your office scheduling calendars, and doing other general administrative work. You will not be promoted or get a raise, ever! To get ahead you have to play chess and move from one position to another to get a raise in pay and better management job. If you don't have that motivation expect to be stuck in the same job for 20 years and only get maybe a 2 or 3% raise every 5 years or so which will be completely overshadowed by the increase to your health insurance. But if you don't care about getting ahead and want to have access to a professional clay shop, Olympic sized swimming pool, cheap tickets to Popejoy, then this can be a great place to work.

What is the best part of working at the company?
It's there to help improve people's lives. I've been a student, an instructor, and a staff member here since 2006. The pay's not great, but, if you like making a difference it can balance out. I also appreciate that it is not a corporation. I'm not working to line some billionaire's pockets. And I'll actually be able to retire.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
When I was an adjunct, I worked term to term, so not always knowing if I'd have a job in 4 months was stressful. In the 2025 political climate, uncertainty about the state of higher education and funding is really stressful.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It varies. The office I work in happens to be one of the few remaining remote-working departments. We're a tight, friendly, supportive team. It's not like that in every department. If you have a passion for what you are doing, I think it has its own rewards.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
As I said, I work remotely, so it's different for others. I mostly interact with current and prospective students. While not a part of my job duties, I work to help people figure out what they want to accomplish after they graduate and help them develop a plan — even if it means referring them to another school.

Taking care of oncology patients is incredibly rewarding. Doing it in this environment is toxic. You are managed by an incompetent RN - not a midlevel- and are expected to sign up for days where you are “midlevel of the day” and/or “late”. In either of those situations, you are often called upon to take care of patients with diseases or problems outside your every day scope of care. For instance, you can work for a surgical service, but if a chemo patient needs care and their provider is not in (often the provider IS in but is too busy to see them), then it is your job to see them-even if is a chemo related issue and you know nothing about that chemo or cancer. Alternatively, you can be working with medical oncology, but a surgical patient walks in and has a problem. You’re expected to take care of that patient. This is neither safe for the patient nor your license. The workload is immense and there is rarely enough time to complete it. In general, the lack of respect for your contribution in the care of patients and for the dedication to your job is widespread and makes showing up daily very difficult. 

I first worked weekends, Saturday and Sunday nights, 7:00pm-7:30am each day (= 25 hours on the weekend). Registered patients coming into the Emergency Room. Filled out paperwork for insurance, demographics, etc. Starting a new job after two weeks of orientation/OJ training at times was challenging. Some of the training for the Rio Rancho Hospital was in Albuquerque, over 25 miles away, one way. As training was during the summer months it was a little difficult keeping up with the course work due to lack of air conditioning. Once situated in Rio Rancho, it was much easier. I got a chance to greet the patients as they came in, do a simple assessment before they went to triage, working with really great co-workers who I trained with. We still maintain this bond.

I began at University of New Mexico/Gallup in 1987.Most of the students at UNM Gallup were American Indian, mostly Navajo, the rest being predominately Zuni and Hispanic. I began teaching there after working with Navajo students at Dine College, in Tsaile, AZ. Teaching in a tribal college  was a truly unique experience for me. 

After leaving UNM Gallup in 2000 I taught for awhile at Navajo Technical College, in Crownpoint, New Mexico, and also for a couple of years at Pueblo Community College, which has a campus at Ignacio, a settlement of Ute Indians. 

My shift from eastern colleges and universities was a challenge, but I survived it successfully.  My latest transition is now at a nearby campus, UNM Valencia, where I tutor English for a group of Mexican learners. I underwent ESL training at UNMV to prepare me for this challenge.  

I am a energized worker.  I am tolerant and adaptable to new conditions.  I am a skilled communicator and able to motivate others to overcome sometimes difficult tasks.  I work with others patiently and clearly.  Those were the characteristics  of my work at UNMG, Pueblo and Crownpoint.

Indigenous Design and Planning Institute my most favorite spaces throughout the School of Architecture. The work environment is not only comfortable and inviting, but it is also very productive and efficient. While working, I like to begin my day checking my emails and have mini meetings with my coworkers on certain project we are working on. Then, proceeding to create or revise a project I would have and the cycle continues. One of the most challenging aspect to my job is time management. A lot of the time I will get assigned a detail-driven project with the time span of 24 hours or less to complete. The ability of planning how to spend my time on the project becomes difficult because I have to prioritize certain parts of my task.
I learned how to network with outside partners, manage my time in a more structured manner, continue communication and collaboration among my colleges and other outside entities. I enjoyed the work culture that was prominent within iD+Pi, there was always a sense of warmth and belonging for me.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Research assistant 3 salaries reported	$14.17 per hour
Graduate researcher 5 salaries reported	$2,063 per month
Assistant professor 6 salaries reported	$81,167 per year
Accountant 8 salaries reported	$4,488 per month
Postdoctoral fellow 5 salaries reported	$58,790 per year

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