UCLA is, for the most part, a great place to work.
Pros
UCLA offered great benefits-medical, dental, retirement, health/wellness support, etc. Makes a real effort to create ways to balance work and life. Always something exciting going on that faculty and staff could participate in. Chancellor and Mrs. Block were very approachable, and down to earth, and care deeply for the campus community. I worked in Development in a campus unit, so reported to both the unit and the central external affairs office. External Affairs was a very supportive environment that offered frequent professional development opportunities to staff. Also very collaborative group of colleagues across campus, for the most part.
Cons
Speaking specifically about external affairs, a bit bureaucratic and often difficult to get things done. Definitely seemed to be campus favorites in terms of who got attention from the higher ups in external affairs. Some of the smaller units, or those that were perceived as not as prestigious or important, were often overlooked or brushed over. In all fairness, this is not unique to UCLA, but is this way at most institutions of higher education. Also, in External Affairs I did not receive one single performance evaluation from my supervisors in all the years I was there, even though I asked. Luckily I received them from the head of my academic unit.
