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Stanford University

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Stanford University - looks great on the CV - Research Assistant Stanford University Employee Review

5.0
Apr 29, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Career advancement beyond Stanford, in my position career advancement would require graduate training (which I intend to complete following this position). Benefits, support, and training opportunities within the school are better than anywhere I know of. The access, should you have the time, to other opportunities and researchers is great. It will look great on a CV and there is certainly, at least where I work, a strong emphasis on work-life balance and health. There can be a competitive atmosphere which can be a positive or negative thing depending on your position. There is a wide array of experiences within the school, so this may not be representative of everyone's experiences.

Cons

There are very few downsides, in my experience and view, of working at Stanford. The downside, were I looking to make this a long term position or career, would be a difficulty in advancement and compensation. I passed up opportunities for higher pay for the position at here, however the trade off was for better experience and a stronger CV. Advancement seems tenuous as there is a lot of competition for most jobs, or at least it seems that way. Pay advancement (although the economic climate makes that difficult most places) and increase in position title just doesn't seem like something I would accomplish very easily.

Explore other reviews about Stanford University

5.0
Jul 2, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great people, resources and leadership

Cons

No cons it’s a great place to work

4.0
Jun 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Overall, Stanford is an amazing place to work. The environment and benefits can't be beat. You can go for a swim on your lunch break or a walk around the lake. The recreational classes and opportunities are usually great. Eating at the dining hall, although pricy, is a real treat.

Cons

If you're not senior management, faculty, development, etc., Stanford's pay has not kept up with the cost of living in the area. If you come for a job from outside of California, be prepared for a real shock when you see the kinds of rentals and the prices. Beauty has a price. You will not be able to live near campus as the average employee. Unless you're really familiar with the traffic in California, don't look at places that you think are an hour away, because they'll be two hours away by car. And you'll have to pay to park on campus, so not driving at all is your best option. Many administrative jobs are held by partners of people working in tech or faculty, because that's the only way you can afford to live there. If you don't have a partner making $200K+, you'll be taking the train or bus for an hour. If you're thinking about buying a house and you don't have a suitcase of cash, that sound you're hearing is my laughter. It's also important to realize that the working conditions across campus vary by unit. Working at the Graduate School of Business will seem more like a corporate job; working in Medicine could be brutal; and the treatment you will get can vary by department.

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