Grad Student - Graduate Research Assistant Penn State Employee Review

5.0
Jan 22, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Some flexibility in work hours, able to work on cutting-edge research, VERY close contact to industry partners which makes future jobs easier to find. The insurance program is very good, as PSU subsidizes 80% of my insurance and 70% of dependents, but even then the premiums can get expensive.

Cons

At least 3 hours from a big city, small town feel can get old after a while, cost of living is higher than expected for similar B1G schools. Grad students ultimately don't have any say in how things are done or how policies affect them.

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5.0
Jul 8, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible for students, reasonable wage for most roles

Cons

Some student positions have minimum shift times

3.0
Jul 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Decent Benefits, Nice Amounts of Time off

Cons

Staff are the lowest of the totem pole and you KNOW it. Pay not enough to live by yourself as a working adult in State College Area. Will waste your time if there's nothing to do by requiring you to sit there while faculty and admin get to "work from home" (they really don't) President Benepudi will probably give herself 2 more $1.5 million pay increases while you work there unable to afford a simple apartment by yourself.

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