Grants & Contracts Manager - Anonymous employee Penn State Employee Review

2.0
22 Sept 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good benefits, 401K contributions, vacation, sick leave, etc. Small town makes it easy to commute, especially if you are used to living in urban areas. Typical small college town. Tuition break is good for employees/dependents, especially in Pennsylvania.

Cons

State College/Central PA is a "company town" where Penn State football comes first - the tail wags the dog. There is really nothing else in the region except Penn State, and the region is not very diverse except for the transient university population. A very tough place to live and work if you are not from the region. Because Penn State is the only game in town, salaries are suppressed unless you are a star faculty, and cost of living is artificially high. All of this makes it very hard to attract qualified employees with specialized skills.

Explore other reviews about Penn State

5.0
21 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Friendly professor and professional staff

Cons

Reassignment can take longer and can be a tedious process

4.0
9 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Meaningful mission supporting community education and outreach programs. Gained valuable administrative and clerical experience, including scheduling, data entry, records management, and event coordination. Developed strong customer service and communication skills by assisting educators and community members. Worked for a well-respected public institution, which looks good on a resume. Opportunity to support nutrition education and public health initiatives, contributing to positive community outcomes.

Cons

Pay was very low compared to the responsibilities and cost of living. Limited opportunities for career advancement without changing positions or departments. Administrative work could become repetitive at times. Salary growth and raises were relatively modest.

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