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Columbia University

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Big egos - Program Coordinator Columbia University Employee Review

1.0
Aug 11, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

My supervisor (the assistant director), and the students.

Cons

The professors have huge egos and talk to office staff however they want or as if you’re below them/stupid because you don’t have a PhD…everyone in the office had at least a masters degree. The director and associate directors of the undergrad and graduate program would show up whenever they wanted and then leave early, but wanted myself and the assistant director in the office 5 days a week/8 hours a day. They’d complain about their commute and show up late without any regard for the commutes that myself and the assistant director were making to get there everyday. Made it incredibly difficult and would deny vacation or remote work days. The associate director was a tyrant and complained about micromanaging when there was no reason to. The work was always done. There was VERY little work to actually be done when they claimed that the office was a busy, vibrant space which made it even more ridiculous to require 5 days a week work. Especially in the summer! Not a soul walked in unless they needed to find another office or the bathroom. The most unprofessional office space I’ve ever seen. Slamming doors, throwing doors open, stomping, huffing and puffing, banging things in their personal office, accusing people of not doing something and then backtracking/acting fake nice after they were proved wrong. It was actually the worst place to work.

Explore other reviews about Columbia University

5.0
May 4, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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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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