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Columbia University

Is this your company?

My experience at Columbia is horrible, for an Ivy League institution ALL of their administrative staff is horrible. - Senior Benefits Specialist Columbia University Employee Review

1.0
Jun 29, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Decent tuition benefit if you have children going to college and they can either (a) make it into Columbia University or (b) your income is too high to get government assistance for your child go to a 3rd party school. If you want to work in the same job, same position, same responsibilities for the next 30 years of your career and you like lazy people who do not care about doing their jobs well.

Cons

Benefit cuts are coming, tuition is the only benefit that is still somewhat good but that will go too. Management is horrible. No promotion opportunities. Alot of "lifers" with no incentive or motivation. A lot of broken / old systems. Negotiate a good salary because once you get there you are not getting anything. Their system for increases is as follows this year 2% for everyone who makes above a certain $ amount in a certain salary grade and more for those who make below a certain level. No performance is taken into account.

Explore other reviews about Columbia University

5.0
May 4, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

relative stable, diverse, creative and good benefit

Cons

paid not so good, lots of work

1.0
May 29, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The benefits and work-life balance were generally reasonable.

Cons

The Internal Audit department was one of the most disappointing work environments I have experienced. Columbia promotes a culture of collaboration, trust, and support, but that was not reflected in my experience. Leadership micromanaged employees to an excessive degree, especially on work-from-home days. If you stepped away from your computer for a few minutes, it felt like you had to justify your whereabouts. Rather than encouraging employees to learn and grow, management often made people feel foolish for asking questions or not knowing something immediately. The atmosphere was stressful, morale was low, and trust between leadership and staff was virtually nonexistent. I would not recommend this department to anyone seeking a supportive or professional work environment.

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