Significant Challenges in Management and Cultural Sensitivity - Project Coordinator Exploratorium Employee Review

Working at Explotorium has given me the opportunity to engage in a project aimed at improving cultural competence. However, my experience has been significantly undermined by management issues and a lack of cultural sensitivity, particularly from the project manager, whom I'll refer to as "S." "S" has shown a persistent disregard for me as a team member who speaks English as a second language, laughing at my pronunciation during discussions and undermine my pursuing in an online MSFA degree at Santa Clara University. This behavior is not only unprofessional but also deeply disrespectful, especially in a project dedicated to cultural understanding. Furthermore, there is a confusing expectation regarding work hours. Although my position is supposed to be part-time, for 20 hours a week, I am frequently expected to put in additional hours to accommodate participants from different U.S. time zones. This additional demand would be challenging enough to my existed hours for pursuing a MSFA degree at Santa Clara University, but the fact that my pay comes from a different program adds another layer of complexity and frustration, as the two organizations are not well-aligned in their expectations or compensation. Moreover, "S's" lack of practical judgment and timing has been startling. A recent incident involved a simple task of picking up coffee for an event. "S" suggested a time and place to meet, yet arrived over ten minutes late. Despite having already arranged to pick up large quantities of coffee—a week in advance—from a specific location, "S" decided on the spot to change plans and reorder from a different place she deemed more convenient. Given that we had only 40 minutes to deliver the coffee, considering the time to get an Uber, travel to Starbucks, and then continue to the event location, this decision was not just impractical but nearly jeopardized the entire arrangement. I seriously question her logic and ability to manage even simple tasks effectively. I convinced her that we should stick with the pre-ordered coffee and go to the event location without delay. These issues urgently need addressing if Explotorium truly aims to foster an environment of cultural competence and respect. Management must lead by example, promoting inclusivity and understanding at all organizational levels. Until these concerns are rectified, it will be difficult for the company to achieve its stated goals.