The Project Managers hold all the power when determining whether a Project Assistant will get hired or not but, there is no one from upper level management checking to make sure the PMs are being fair about it. All of the other reviews on this site are dead on. I've been at the company for quite some time now and was told before I took the interview it was a 6 month to hire position. Had I known I'd have to go as long as I have with no benefits, a poverty level wage, no paid holidays/sick days/paid time off, a demanding boss who is never appreciative and plays favorites to an extent I've never seen before, I would have never wasted my time even going to the interview. It doesn't matter how hard you work or what you put into this job, they do not hire contractors on a fair basis. Other employees at my level have been brought on as UBC employees in a reasonable amount of time and there is no doubt that they deserved it. However, there are so many others that have been left behind due to managers who do not have the priorities of the team in mind and only look out for themselves. That being said, certain people have been promoted to a PM without possessing the qualities of a good leader and lacking the ability to recognize hard work and when it is right in front of them. I’ve seen UBC lose so many great employees because of the way upper management takes advantage of them. Hard work by contractors goes unnoticed and unappreciated. To say that UBC fosters a very, VERY frustrating and discouraging work environment is an understatement. The needs of lower level employees are not a concern WHATSOEVER to anyone running the company. Those who have a good relationship with their managers will be promoted quickly but if you don't "mesh" with yours, even if you put your all into your position and get stellar reviews from other teams you may work with, you'll never make it. The treatment of Project Assistants at this company is despicable and grotesque, yet they are the backbone of this company. Even in this tough economic environment, there are better opportunities, like going on welfare and living on food stamps! You would probably make out better than the wage they pay and the way they take advantage of the lower level employees.