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Columbia University

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Makes my dreams possible - Professor Columbia University Employee Review

5.0
3 May 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Fantastic Brand. Unbelievable access to movers and shakers. Incredible depth of research talent. Strong and respected leadership. Solid financials. Beautiful campus. Helpful librarians and electronic resources. Very generous benefits. Highly flexible in terms of how I spend my time. Super smart students. Heart of New York City.

Cons

It's a university with a 250+ year old bureaucracy, with all that that implies. Space is at a premium. Students can be a tad "type A". You need to be a self-manager as there are not a lot of structured support processes - it is very easy to get lost in the system. The tenure and promotion process is byzantine and we lose a lot of great people as a consequence. It's also very siloed.

Explore other reviews about Columbia University

5.0
12 Jun 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Supportive staff and clear role requirements

Cons

I dont really have any cons related to the role

1.0
12 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The people in the trenches The students The passionate faculty

Cons

Leadership, their inefficiencies and poor decisions Very dysfunctional environment HR does whatever leadership tells them to do, including covering issues by "friends of the boss", This favoritism approach also includes approvals for who gets to work from out of state even when the position can be easily filled by local workers and the creation of new jobs for those that are chosen. Very poor financial decisions. Big big pay on top, Low pay on bottom. Very little room for growth unless someone likes you and you are the right color.

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