Pros
Working with Amazing Students: Interacting with talented and motivated students who represent the GWU admissions office is highly rewarding and inspiring. Engagement with Families and Students during Travel: Traveling to high schools and engaging with prospective students and their families provides a dynamic and enriching experience. Some of the Staff: A good amount of the staff are pleasant and nice to work with
Cons
Toxic Office Culture: The office culture can be toxic, characterized by negative attitudes, unprofessional behavior, and an unsupportive work environment. Lack of Work Flexibility for Lower Staff: Lower-level staff has limited or no flexibility regarding remote work, contrasting with more lenient arrangements for higher-ranking employees. Absence of Middle Management: The absence of middle management lead to a lack of proper communication, guidance, and support within the organization. Indifference from Higher-Ups: Higher-level administrators do not prioritize improving office culture or addressing staff concerns, sometimes responding insensitively to issues or blaming employees to protect the university's reputation. Strict Timekeeping Rules: Excessively strict clocking in and clocking out rules that hinder work-life balance and flexibility. Favoritism: Favoritism within the office affected working hours, opportunities, and overall job performance, leading to inequities and dissatisfaction among staff members. Disorganized Event Structures: Poorly organized events created stress, frustration, and inefficiency in the workplace. Lack of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Training: The absence of proper DEI training resulted in an unwelcoming environment, with incidents of racist, sexist, homophobic comments, and microaggressions going unaddressed. No Repercussions for Offensive Comments: Offensive comments or microaggressions within the office occurred without consequences, fostering an uncomfortable and hostile atmosphere. High Turnover: Most employees barely last a year in the Undergraduate Admissions Office. In working there for 6 months, 6 people left for other opportunities. You would think that management would see this as an issue and a motivation to improve office culture, but unfortunately that is not the case. Pay: The pay is abysmal for the amount of work that is expected of employees. Merit raises are only given (25 cents per year) if your manager/direct supervisor likes you.