Pros
Undergrad degree paid in full, discounted rate (based on taxes) for a grad program. Paid holidays and given sick and vacation time, benefits were given right away.
Cons
This is a non-profit university (explains the pay/salary) with a for-profit attitude (ask all the upper-management what institutions they have worked at). All employees at this university are underpaid for their services, especially if you work in the Admissions department. Last year the Chancellor addressed that the reason why we couldn't get higher merit (raises) was because he blamed the low enrollment numbers (indirectly blaming the Admissions Advisors). As an Admissions Advisor, you are expected to recruit new students and retain your current students and you are the only advocate for the student. Every month you have enrollment goals (although your pay is not dependent on the enrollment numbers). Upper management relies on reports that aren't accurately updated due to overwhelmed advisors. Each advisor has a work load of about 150+ students (if you're lucky) to about 350+ (if you've been there for a long time). The higher ups require that you always speak to your students by phone and always follow-up with an e-mail. The university trains you to guide the students from beginning to end. And by guide, I mean that as their advisor, it is your responsibility to remind students that they have to buy their textbook for first class, submit missing documents for Financial Aid to their Financial Aid advisor, submit transcripts for evaluation even though you've told them three times since they've enrolled... It gets even worse when the university cancels courses without explanation to the student but you're left explaining to a student why his or her degree is delayed. When students are on Academic Probation or Disqualification, it is the advisor's responsibility to call the student to inform them and advise them of their next steps. The university sends out systematic messages to our students but advisors STILL have to follow-up. There is no support---physically or emotionally. You'll always talk to management (your immediate supervisor) but nothing gets done. There is absolutely no open communication between departments, but you will be lucky if you can make a friend with someone who isn't from your department.