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Arizona State University

Engaged employer

Love ASU, but its a slow moving machine - Coordinator Arizona State University Employee Review

3.0
24 Apr 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

My personal experience has been fantastic at ASU - I love the work I'm doing, really feel like I'm making a difference, and am surrounded by many really cool people. I have also loved being on campus and surrounded by all the hustle and bustle of the university!

Cons

For a school that values innovation so much, you will be hard-pressed to find a place where movement (especially movement up) is so difficult. Pay is pretty terrible if you compare it to a private sector job, and the benefits are pretty underwhelming. Promotion and career development is extremely slow, and you will have to jump through twice as many hoops to get half as much. Not a good place for a long-term career unless you are willing to put it a TON of years. ASU is huge and there are a ton of opportunities, but your promotion compensation is capped at a pretty sad amount (20% at the absolute max if I'm not mistaken, and that's even if you get an entirely new role), and many of the roles have no upward trajectory at all, meaning you will have to jump around frequently to make any real progress. In all fairness, ASU is tax-funded, so I'm not sure how much of this you can blame on ASU itself. That being said, just be sure that you really want to be at ASU for the mission and environment.

Explore other reviews about Arizona State University

5.0
30 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good research environment and great teachers

Cons

Long hours working on research

2.0
29 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Competitive pay for some positions, some great colleagues.

Cons

The "culture" in some non academic departments is incredibly toxic. Employees often see others as competitors and some will try to throw others under the bus to avoid being in trouble from senior leaders. It is slow to get any work done if you need upper admin approval and often time work that you have created and completed is thrown away and never looked at again. Personalities of some administrators is very fake and friendly, when they will cut you with no regard or thoughts. The senior administrators of ASU act in a cult like manner and tightly control many goals, works, etc. You will most often have little to no freedom to accomplish the goals that you know would be best for your department because you spend an inordinate amount of time on projects deemed important to senior leaders, that have little to no impact but padding a report for someone in Fulton. Culture is extremely toxic in many areas, and senior leaders refuse to listen to those serving and trying to provide feedback. There is heavy turnover in many areas, while adminstrators turn a blind eye to it and chalk it up to "normal" turnover. Many mid level managers end up sick, stressed, seeking new employment, or taking FMLA to try to deal with the stress and trauma. You will have little opportunity for advancement unless you move departments regularly, or by hunkering down to be a lackey. Routinely expect last minute requirements and expectations, budget cuts without notice, and little to no professional development or support. Depending on the area you may also deal with difficult students/parents who are not held accountable for their actions.

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