Enjoyable Engineering Doctorate - Graduate Research Assistant Penn State Employee Review

4.0
Mar 24, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Received a graduate research assistantship for an Engineering PhD at Penn State. The stipend was very competitive for a graduate program, and the cost of living in State College is affordable with the stipend. Access to high end laboratory equipment. Beautiful campus, most of the engineering buildings have been recently remodeled or are in the process of being remodeled.

Cons

Your experience depends on your advisor(s) and how well you befriend your cohort. Choose an advisor you are compatible with and you will have a great time. Choose someone you are not compatible with, and you will have to change advisors or stick it out and not have a great time.

Explore other reviews about Penn State

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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