research assistant

graduate researcher

program coordinator

postdoctoral fellow

assistant professor

Vanderbilt University

Working at Vanderbilt University is interesting. As a staff member working in a student support role, the experience truly depends on the department one works in. 

I believe directors or those supervising full-time employees need more intentional training and education. Hiring someone to lead a department doesn't guarantee they know how to lead everyone, especially if they have been at the institution for a while and are ingrained into the culture. Universities and Colleges need to do better at investing in department leaders in general; it conveys trust and respect and creates a checks and balances system to ensure that those reporting to leaders/directors are not stifled. 

The Vanderbilt staff culture is tailored to supporting a few identities, and if you don't meet one of those identities or you aren't a token, you can get lost in the shuffle. There's also a strange air of competition, or fri-enemy's, between departments - people like each other but trash each other at the same time. 

It's clear that faculty are prioritized over staff at the institution. It's important to recognize that faculty and their careers, research, and teachings attract students. BUT when the students are overwhelmed, over-extended, need support, or are challenged on their paths to self-discovery, it's typically the staff that faculty/deans/academics rely on. And only some offices, who share the majority identity, get recognized for their efforts. 

The students who attend Vanderbilt are literally some of the best students I've worked with. I'm sure many would say that about their college/university but I truly believe that. Of course, some are entitled, but the majority are amazing people. They are the reason why so many go into Higher Education. 

The compensation varies from department to department and the gaps are astounding. When COVID hit, staff took it the hardest, and many welcoming faces disappeared but the high-paid staff remained and kept their high salaries. 

Lastly, turnover for employees of color is... well, concerning. 

Vanderbilt has the worst benefits I've seen at a University but they are still good in comparison to many other places. It depends on perspective. If you're coming from another university you may be disappointed but if you're coming from non-profit it may be stellar. The culture is the main reason why I'm not a fan of working for the University. There is a lot of hierarchy, office politics, and bureaucracy to navigate. You will be repeatedly told that there is a Vanderbilt way of doing things but managers never communicate what that means or demonstrate what they are looking for. This then leads to students to become frustrated with most resources on campus and places a high burden on offices that are more "trusted". I was personally not aware of the fact that two offices that directly impact my job were dismantled and re-branded for failing to do their jobs. It makes the job unnecessarily difficult when you are new and had I known that I probably would not have accepted the job. I also feel it necessary to add that Vanderbilt is not a great place for minorities. In efforts to be diverse they actually come across as quite tone deaf and have made me incredibly uncomfortable. I do think the pay should be a bit higher to keep up with the rising cost of living but it's not bad. If you are a higher ed person I would recommend another University. If you are coming from non-profit work this may be a refreshing step up depending on your situation. I would also recommend that they support staff more. The offices that provide care to students are over worked and burnt out. This is not helpful for staff members or students. I can say that I often work 12 hour days and this is simply not sustainable. Managers should offer comp time to set off the long hours when possible.

I would not want to speak for all areas of Vanderbilt. I have only worked under development/alumni relations for the 6+ years I have been at the university. In my division, there is little to absolutely no room for advancement. Leaders acknowledge this but don’t seem to want to provide opportunities. There is definitely and has always been a favoritism toward upper management that is felt strongly by everyone that falls beneath. A large complaint within my department is that most of us are treated as if our work doesn’t matter. This is reflected by the extremely low pay (my current position pays twice at peer institutions) and lack of opportunity to provide feedback upward. In addition, we have had several years in which employees have been told there would be no bonuses or cost of living raises only to find out later that upper management received both. In 6 years, I’ve received 1 bonus and 2 cost of living raises. Disappointing for a job that demands as much overtime as it does. Management seems to cut jobs as people leave, give more work to the employees that stay, never compensate, and do nothing for morale. My leadership takes the “there’s the door” approach to our 12+ hour workdays, yet does not contribute the same. Disappointing all around. Working in higher ed development can be rewarding - this just isn’t the place where it is for most of us.

Vanderbilt has great benefits such as PTO, paid holiday break, medical, dental, vision insurance. Centrally located in Nashville. If snow hits hard, the university will pay for you to be in a hotel (this is based of your "trade" job, and if you're needed on campus). Usually tradesman, grounds maintenance, some kitchen staff, and housekeeping will be around during inclement weather, and Vanderbilt will pay for their hotels.

If you work here for at least 5 years, you can send your kids to Vanderbilt and other universities, and Vanderbilt will compensate 55% of the tuition. This benefit used to be 70%, but 

When trying to hire new employees, tradesman will laugh at the compensation and deny job offers. As a technician making $30+/hr, I know for sure that my job outside of Vanderbilt would be compensated as high as $40-$45+/hr. Vanderbilt still hasn't increased hourly wages, due to recent inflation. 

Employees have to pay for parking though, and that is absolutely insane. You pay to go to work. Parking is based off the following income pay scale: Band 1- Less than $59,999 = $46 ; Band 2: $60,000 - $99,999 = $68 ; Band 3: $100,000 – $149,999 =$92. And this is an after tax deduction. 

Vanderbilt is an excellent employer as far as three things are concerned:
1. Unparalleled opportunities for intellectual developement and growth in Medical knowledge.
2. Excellent benefits in all areas.
3. Very good job stability and security.

There are a couple of areas where Vanderbilt has fallen short in the past and may not hold true in all positions. I would not let them stop me from taking a job opportunity. The good areas still hold true and the bad areas may not be valid in a different place and time.
The negatives are:

1. Very limited opportunity for upward movement.
2. Despite the intelligence and educational accomplisments of many there, they still feel threatened by well meaning attempts at improvements and suggestions. Usually dismissing them out-of-hand as undo-able or worse, accusing the attempt as overstepping ones bounds and attempting to take over someone else's position.
3. Very high level of workload under high pressure.

In summary, the main objective of most of management in the past, has been the preservation of their own position, with little regard for honest efforts by those not in the clique. This may not necessarily hold true today.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Co workers are hard workers and good people 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Overworked and underpaid, management doesn’t go to bat for you when needed, union is worthless. Universities budget is a joke where they put their money instead of what employees need. Parking? That’s the biggest joke of all. Expect to get your 10k steps in for the day and you’ll be PAYING for parking. Funny to have to pay to work somewhere. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Good environment mostly. Always some bad apples. Survival of the fittest so always watch out for yourself. Even in dangerous situations. Don’t expect anyone to take care of you, it’s you for yourself. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Walk 2 miles from where I park to where my office is, wear clothing that is appropriate for winter weather when it’s above 90 degrees(work apparel for plant ops is a joke and extremely uncomfortable to be in working all day). Go to work, Lots of work to do. Have a 30 min lunch (hours are dumb) back to work, then clock out and walk my 2 miles where I have to PAY to park.

•	Worked as an assistant to Assistant Director of Marketing and Promotions during men’s and women’s basketball game, football, women’s soccer and lacrosse.  
•	Created the idea for the women’s basketball commercial in 2008
•	Managed Olympic sports in game promotions and half time entertainment
•	Assisted the athletic departments ESPN’s College Game Day promotion campaign vs. Auburn on campus.
•	Assisted the Assistant Director of Marketing and Promotions in setting up and conducting media day for the football team.
•	Worked as an  assistant to Assistant Director of Marketing and Promotions during men’s and women’s basketball game
•	Setup Vanderbilt tailgating 
•	Marketed Vanderbilt Athletics at Williamson County Fair, wearing Mr. C costume and disseminating upcoming Vanderbilt athletic events
•	Marketed Vanderbilt Athletics at WNSL tournament wearing Mr. C costume and disseminating upcoming Vanderbilt athletic events
•	Conducted research for Director of Marketing and Promotions finding businesses that would allow Vanderbilt Athletics to Promote athletic events in their place of business.  
•	Coordinated in game football, and basketball, lacrosse, women’s soccer and entertainment.


What is the best part of working at the company?
A busy clinic where standards are enforced in real time, with direct communication and a strong focus on doing things correctly, though interactions can feel tense under pressure. Hiring process is disorganized  and very selective . There are 3 minorities in the entire building and if the doctors don't like how you look expect not to be hired.  Don't waste your time even applying.  The MDs control the hiring process not HR. I would not recommend .

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
MDs being disrespectful to staff. Nurses are on egg shells.  

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Communication style is direct, not softened
Can feel tense when things aren’t done correctly
Staff may not always agree, but expectations are still enforced

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Communication style is direct, not softened
Can feel tense when things aren’t done correctly
Staff may not always agree, but expectations are still enforced
Cleaning rooms, putting in MD orders, prepping trays and overall this is a patient tech position.  The clinic sees about 40 to 45 patients a day for each MD.

Imagine being told to work and remember every rule and step flawlessly, in a very flawed work environment. That is working in Vanderbilt IT in a nutshell. Same recurring problems happening over and over again, and it feels like everyone who's job it is to figure it out to fully fix it just shrugs their shoulders and pretends to do something about it. The ticketing system used within VU is over two decades old, I know that because when I started there were links for Youtube/Google/Yahoo and it literally showed the logo art from over twenty years ago within the ticketing system. Supposedly will be moving away from this system but it will be probably going on a year soon of hearing that.

My typical day changes hour by hour, minute by minute.  Because of my longevity of 16 years with the Institution, I'm a go-to person for questions and troubleshooting, especially within my department of over 200 staff members.  Communication is mostly through emails, so I'm on the computer answering emails, setting up meetings for the department Administrative Director, and composing documents most of the day.  I supervisor four clerical staff helping them through situations that require my assistance on a daily basis, mostly answering questions. The hardest part of my job is trying to complete all tasks that need to be done in an eight hour period, which is why prioritizing and organizing is so important. The most enjoyable part of my job is the team atmosphere that is within the department and hospital as a whole.  Everyone is always looking out for each other.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Research assistant 10 salaries reported	$36,500 per year
Graduate researcher 13 salaries reported	$37,538 per year
Program coordinator 5 salaries reported	$55,400 per year
Postdoctoral fellow 4 salaries reported	$63,750 per year
Assistant professor 10 salaries reported	$87,853 per year

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