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Columbia University

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Working in Labs at Columbia - Senior Research Assistant Columbia University Employee Review

3.0
Mar 7, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Columbia is a great place to be from. Students need to be proactive about finding professors willing to bring them on as research assistants, but after that there are usually good opportunities to do interesting work and to co-author papers. Most professors are willing to pay, which is great for undergraduates who are usually expected to work for free.

Cons

The pay isn't great compared to other work-study jobs - I started at $8/hr and ended at $10, while people can make $12 for sitting and swiping cards. Columbia infrastructure is notoriously bad, and my paycheck has been sent to the wrong place for literally two years. Be prepared for red tape.

Explore other reviews about Columbia University

5.0
Jul 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Lots of smart people! Great place to learn from, being in NYC is a big plus!

Cons

None, just starting out! NYC is expensive, maybe subsidizing the subway commute would help.

2.0
Jul 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They have a lot of resources, the campus is pretty, the students are engaged

Cons

They censor your political speech, punish you for activism, and have been known to call the NYPD to commit police brutality on campus

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