Hard to get stuff done without experience in how to work around the roadblocks - Instructional Support Specialist UMass Boston Employee Review

4.0
Sep 28, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great independence, campus is beautiful, coworkers and clients are great. Very lenient about personal time. Lots of exciting movement in developing the campus and services.

Cons

Too many deadbeat employees, but if you are motivated, excited, and clever, you can use that to your advantage. Low pay, compared to other schools. Not enough strategy and vision from upper management

Explore other reviews about UMass Boston

5.0
Jun 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The other One Stop employees are so lovely to work with, they are always willing to help if needed and communication is clear and timely!

Cons

I have no complaints - as a student employee this was a great on campus opportunity!

3.0
Jan 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Strong mission-driven institution with a deep commitment to access, equity, and serving first-generation, transfer, and nontraditional students. Meaningful opportunities to lead initiatives, innovate programs, and take on responsibility early in one’s career. Located in Boston, with exposure to a diverse student population and strong partnerships across the city. Benefits and time off are solid for a public institution.

Cons

Colleagues across departments are not equally passionate, collaborative, or genuinely care about student success. The strong union culture seems to drive a self-centered approach to work with students. Chronic under-resourcing and staffing shortages lead to frequent burnout, especially among mid-level and frontline staff. Compensation often does not align with workload, scope of responsibility, or Boston’s cost of living. Organizational change is frequent, but communication and follow-through are inconsistent. Decision-making can feel slow and siloed, with limited transparency about priorities and long-term strategy. Equity and wellbeing are often discussed, but staff experience does not always reflect those stated values in practice.

1
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All