graduate researcher

research assistant

teaching assistant

laboratory technician

postdoctoral fellow

University of Utah

A typical day at work for me is mainly opening the store, customer service, stocking, sizing, sales, laying out the sales floor, and closing the store. I am considered a key holder and with that label we have a lot of responsibility. I learned how to open a store which includes starting everything up and counting the cash inside the store, how to conduct great customer service and make sales on merchandise whether at our store or another store within the valley, I learned how to stock the store, back stock items that would not fit on the store, lay the store out to give it a better feel for customers and employees, and pack, send, and receive shipments coming to our store. Some other things I learned is how to watch and reach our sales goals, prepare the store for inventory, and although I wasn't the manager, I learned how to manage the store with our sales, stock all items and prepare the store for sales, manage and speak with the staff, as well as make transfers, receive them, and have them stocked and finished for the night staff to focus only on customers and closing properly. I love my co-workers. I was the one they felt most comfortable talking to and communicating with. if they had a problem they came to me and I resolved it, if they just needed to talk to get their minds off things they came to me, and if they needed something to do, they would contact me and find out what needed to be completed whether I was on shift or at home. The management wasn't so great. If my co-workers need anything, they come to me due to the manager at our current store being hard to reach. I've been there four years now, been a key holder all four years, my manager comes to me for information, and I haven't been moved up nor do I believe I will. Upper management continues to say how great I do my job and how hard I work, but when I ask for advancement, I'm told they can't do it. Four years in the same position at 20 hours a week gets old. The most enjoyable part of my job is the responsibility. I love being what my co-workers see as the manager. I love my job and everything I do, I love the fact that I do basically everything inside the store and makes for a fast day, and whether at home or not, I love being the one trusted to run the store.

The pros: the University of Utah is a staple of an institution in the state. Their research is innovative and the healthcare they provide is unbeatable. They provide a 14.25% contribution to retirement without a match requirement, which is untouched by any other organization that I’ve encountered here in Utah. The U provides its employees with THE most affordable healthcare benefits than any other. The access to exceptional medical providers, paired with coverage of procedures and prescriptions, make leaving almost unimaginable. The breadth of industry that the U is tapped into makes transitioning from one role/department to another seamless. Also, in practically every area of interest, you can be sure that whichever department you find yourself in, directorial employees are the experts in research and talent for that area. That being said…

Cons: lower down on the totem pole, you can find yourself in waters of nepotism. Because the U is an incredible place to work, people rarely leave. It’s also an arduous task for the U to fire an employee. That leads to people who have no talent or abilities for managerial positions to find themselves in leadership roles. They’ve been there for decades, and only managed higher roles by sticking around long enough (excluding directorship or department heads). It’s a difficult environment to navigate, especially as someone who has only been in the professional workforce for a decade, and has valid complaints against someone who is “a veteran”, if you will. Micro-cultures of the “that’s just how they work” exist, and are difficult to shift by new employees who see the incompetency. This sounds contradictory to the statement above about the department heads and directors, but it is what it is. 

Working as an office assistant at the front desk for the David Eccles School of Business at the U of U, is great! Especially when you are a student, looking to save money for tuition or to earn extra spending money (that is if you're well off with tuition), finding some time to do homework, making network and connections with staff, faculty, and other students. 

On a typical day, you will experience ever other hour to be proactive in assisting others--reserving study rooms, directing guests, receiving and processing mail and packages, picking up phone calls, greeting people. In between the times, you are able to do homework. 

The front desk team are all great in helping each other, especially when each team member are being proactive, taking initiative, uplifting each other, having an attitude of can-do and will-do, self-motivated.

Sometimes fellow team members may lack self-motivation, may lay back and watch others do the work, and that can be quite annoying. But the goal is to be the example and focus on helping others. As long as you strive for more, to do more and be more, others will notice you. And you will attract other great people and successful employers. 

As a full-time position, it is all relatively the same; however, a lot more down-time when you are not in school. As a full-timer, it is kind of expected to be the example for the part-timers. Not only that, you are expected to be well-rounded of things that occur in the two buildings. This will come in time, especially when you work here longer. The full-time position allows you to do a little more, but it's still relaxing overall.

What is the best part of working at the company?
For me, personally, I am 80 years old and I work part-time.  They can use people of all ages (which makes me very happy)!  The pay is quite good.  They do not judge anyone for any reason.  You have the opportunity to give the students the chance to work with people; and, the one-on-one is something the students greatly appreciate.  It is a wonderful learning experience for the students.  It gives you the satisfaction of helping the students.  The people that work there (plus the students)  are fun, pleasant, and a joy to be around.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Nothing really.  You are given information (a script) that you should learn.  BUT, you don't have to learn it word-for-word.  It's not like acting in a  play.  It just helps you know what the students are supposed to deal with.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very casual.  You wear casual clothes because, generally, you put on a hospital gown over shorts and a top (female) shorts and a shirt (male) as you are acting as a patient in the hospital.   It is a very comfortable situation.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I arrive at the U (medical school or school of nursing).  Put on the hospital garb, get into a bed in an area that is protected by a curtain.  When the students have been told what they are to do, they then come into my area and practice what they have learned in the past weeks.  

The work day can be anywhere from 4 hours to 7 hours.  You are aware of the date, time, and the information you should know a few days before you are needed.

As an employee of the U of U for nearly 17 years, I feel this career path has offered me an overall positive experience. I started with an entry-level position, and I have had the opportunity to advance my career, receive promotions, and enjoy job security. The U provides an excellent benefits package, and is committed to work wellness, and continuing education and training. The majority of my managers have been fair and supportive. I've enjoyed many co-workers who have become good friends. I enjoyed a very professional work environment, and working with highly skilled, dynamic, innovative educators. The U of U recruits top researchers, and leading pioneers in their fields of study. Like any workplace, some of the personalities are more demanding and challenging to work with than others, and some departments will be more enjoyable than others. However, the great thing about working for the U of U as staff is that there are endless opportunities, and if you don't have a good fit, you can transition to another position. The U of U generally seeks to hire from within for staff. 

The two major "cons" I've experienced through the years working for the U of U have been #1. Difficult commute with limited parking #2. Expected to carry a heavy workload due to lack of funding [or willingness] to hire more staff. These two issues have caused me a lot of stress, but have not been deal breakers when weighed with all of the pros of working there. However, when I was allowed to work a hybrid schedule between home/office since 2020, I am happier now working for the U of U than ever before.

Rio Mesa Center is a research field station operated by The University of Utah on a historic ranch property, 40 miles north-east of Moab, along a three mile stretch of the Dolores River. The facility is primarily used by biology, anthropology, and archaeology researchers, as well as experiential learning groups from the university. 

Although the majority of the ranch property is very rustic and underdeveloped, there is a sophisticated, solar-powered shower and kitchen facility—affectionately known as "the million dollar bathroom"—at the group campsite on the east end of the site. 

The BLM, Fish and Game, DWR, and USGS fund research projects and support the implementation of several conservation and restoration initiatives along the riparian ecosystem of the Dolores. 

The full spectrum of interested government agencies coupled with the individual ambitions of researchers can make the politics of logistical concerns on the site, at times very messy. The rustic living conditions combined with the remote location makes day to day life challenging for staff. But the endless stream of interesting characters—academic pretentiousness notwithstanding—who are always willing to share food, beer, wine, s'mores and company around a campfire, more than makes up for the challenges of the job.

Editing a faculty member's manuscript for publication. Developing a grant proposal to a federal agency with a small or large team of faculty and other partners. Creating a proposal development plan and timeline. Meeting with proposal development team for project updates and to assign new tasks. Following up with the central sponsored projects office for university compliance guidelines or submitting proposal for internal approval before finalizing for external submission. Team oriented work environment with each co-worker bringing different expertise to pre-award proposal development but supporting colleagues to meet project deadlines. Coordinating a 3-day grant workshop off-campus targeting junior research faculty. Organizing and implementing an internal grant award program. Meetings with individual or a small group of faculty about a grant proposal project. Attending executive committee meetings. Attending a university-sponsored training course related to grants development and management. The most difficult part of the job was getting faculty to submit grant information, writing, etc. in a timely manner. The most enjoyable part of the job was working with faculty and being part of a team that is awarded a grant.

The University of Utah has many strong programs and teams, but not all departments are created equal. In certain areas, administrative incompetence and a lack of ethical leadership create a toxic work environment. Despite consistently high performance evaluations, employees were routinely kept at the bottom of institutional pay scales with no clear rationale or path forward.

Staff caring for critically ill family members were frequently contacted during approved leaves and pressured to respond to non-urgent matters framed as emergencies—issues that were typically the result of avoidable mismanagement. Allegations of underperformance were made in meetings without documentation or follow-up, creating a climate of fear and instability rather than support or accountability.

Administrative pay time supplements were distributed unevenly, with some individuals receiving double compensation for essentially identical roles. A known three-year overpayment was quietly ignored, and those who questioned it appeared to face retaliation.

To be clear, this experience reflects specific departments and not the entire University of Utah system, which includes many ethical and well-managed teams. Anyone considering a role here should closely evaluate the departmental leadership culture and ask direct questions about compensation transparency and administrative decision-making.


A typical day at work i would open the store. Make sure everything was clean by doing a final walk through in store, procedure rooms, and bathrooms. All my previous job positions i only improved on my customer service skills. Greeted patients, help them complete paperwork for their personal files, entered all info into company computers, as well as sold glasses and handled money every day at the beginning and end of each shift in all the cash registers. I had two  very hands on managers who both helped me learn what i needed to to prepare for the job including their computer system, customers personal files, as well as the selling of eye wear. All of the co-workers were very professional and helpful even long after training was over. i could come to them with any issues and vice versa. The hardest part of the job would have been when customers didn't have enough money to pay for what they needed and just expected us to give them charity because there was no time or way they could ever pay. You want to help but its a business and you can't be taken advantage of. The most enjoyable part of the job was the environment. The people were helpful and great to work with and we always worked together, it was a team environment.

The facilities at the U are hit or miss. The micro-biotechnology lab is top notch, but the chemistry, engineering, metallurgy, and civil engineering labs leave much to be desired. Often, even in the better labs centrifuges will be broken and the administration seems to be in no hurry to replace them so that research may resume. 
As an employee, you are expected to pay a hefty premium for a parking pass, which in the winter when public transit is hindered by the snow and ice is highly problematic. As a student tuition bills are increased annually with no clear explanation aside from 'mandatory fees'. When the finance office is confronted about this they will refuse to release how PUBLIC TAX PAYER MONEY and tuition is being used. This is unacceptable for a public institution.
Most of the faculty is pleasant and helpful, but some departments have a tendency to give students inadequate guidance and expectations for their post university life and much of the material given in antiquated. If it was "socially acceptable" a collaboration between academia and on the job training would be (for credit as a part of the curriculum) would be far more advantageous for students paying exorbitant sums of money to presumably gain entry to a career.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Graduate researcher 13 salaries reported	$34,515 per year
Research assistant 10 salaries reported	$28,200 per year
Teaching assistant 13 salaries reported	$14.92 per hour
Laboratory technician 6 salaries reported	$18.57 per hour
Postdoctoral fellow 10 salaries reported	$66,600 per year

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