Lecturer (Full Time) - Pitiful Pay and Disrespectful Administration - Lecturer Penn State Employee Review

1.0
Jun 16, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Penn State students are smart and friendly - a real pleasure to teach.

Cons

Lowest pay of all state universities for lecturer of composition/rhetoric - in most cases by far. Large class size (24 per class for freshman writing) with a 3:4 load. Exceptionally heavy grading load (96 students per semester, required to grade multiple papers, projects, and constant other homework weekly), huge pressure by department not to give any student over a "C," and of course resentment from students about imposed standards. Those running the program are condescending and hostile. The morale among the large lecturer faculty (full and part time) is stunningly poor. Can't think of a worse Writing Program (have experience with several) than this one to work in.

Explore other reviews about Penn State

5.0
Jun 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They were very flexible with hours and it was a fun place to work. There was lots of downtime to do other things while on the clock, and an e-bike to get around campus quickly.

Cons

Toward the end they got pretty strict about keeping your computer on a certain tab to take online tickets, and you could get in trouble for not doing it. It’s tedious work overall.

4.0
Jun 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

flexibility. I'm on a fellowship I won with a great advisor. It is not so good for others.

Cons

An inherently liminal position with severely reduced benefits.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All