Pros
- It’s an easy transition for recent graduates; entry-level roles are accessible and give you initial professional experience.
- Familiarity as a former student can make the first year feel comfortable, though that comfort fades as you see the internal culture.
- Some coworkers are genuinely kind and mission-driven, but this varies greatly by team.
- You’ll learn resilience and adaptability, although mostly because you’re forced to navigate unclear expectations and inconsistent leadership.
- Beautiful campus and nostalgic connection if you were a former student — though, for me, that appreciation diminished over time due to my experience as an employee.
Cons
- Leadership feels disconnected from the day-to-day reality of staff, and many decisions seem to prioritize protecting the institution rather than supporting the people doing the actual work.
- HR’s role feels more like risk management than staff advocacy. In my experience, concerns were minimized or brushed aside if they conflicted with institutional interests.
- Ideas, feedback, and professional opinions are rarely taken seriously. Staff input seems welcomed verbally, but action rarely follows — creating a culture where people feel unheard and undervalued.
- Time and boundaries are not respected, especially for younger, unmarried staff or those without children. These employees often shoulder more work and receive less understanding regarding work-life balance.
- Support and protection are inconsistent and often seem tied to favoritism or internal politics, not fairness or job performance.
- Some leaders exhibit narcissistic or self-serving behavior that makes collaboration difficult and psychological safety low.
- Nepotism is noticeably present, with certain individuals receiving opportunities, leniency, or advancement based on relationships rather than merit.
- The Christian values promoted publicly don’t consistently align with how staff are treated internally. Compassion, humility, and servant leadership are often discussed but not practiced by key decision-makers.
- Accountability is uneven. Some people are held to strict standards while others face no consequences for poor behavior, missed responsibilities, or disrespect.
- Burnout is common, not because of the mission or the students, but because leadership does not address systemic issues, workload imbalance, or the emotional strain placed on staff.