Reasonable pay and benefits for graduate researchers - Graduate Researcher/Lecturer Penn State Employee Review

5.0
Nov 27, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great healthcare, good colleagues, further your education at a highly-ranked institution

Cons

Graduate students work long hours, the pay is not great but think of it and the worth of your future degree, STEM fields aren't always hiring as much as you would think, variable experiences depending on field and adviser

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5.0
Jun 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They were very flexible with hours and it was a fun place to work. There was lots of downtime to do other things while on the clock, and an e-bike to get around campus quickly.

Cons

Toward the end they got pretty strict about keeping your computer on a certain tab to take online tickets, and you could get in trouble for not doing it. It’s tedious work overall.

4.0
Jun 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

flexibility. I'm on a fellowship I won with a great advisor. It is not so good for others.

Cons

An inherently liminal position with severely reduced benefits.

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