Okay, here it goes. I’m becoming disillusioned by the whole corporate greed and “who you know” games. I’m reading more and more in here (FGB), about the fact that it’s near impossible to find a decent paying position anywhere. I work at a large university. Not only are they losing employees, but they can’t replace those that resign due to low pay. I work in HR and see it first-hand. Offers are made and are turned down in droves. My salary is ridiculously low. In most circumstances, it isn’t a living wage. I have applied internally only to find they hire externally because “someone knew someone”. It’s the same scenario with my coworkers. To add insult to injury, the new President of the university is an elderly man who is reversing everything the former, more progressive president had installed (for example, winter recess, career roadmapping, which is a salary increase based on experience). I do comprehend that this is a public university and financially, the organization has to answer to the state government, but they want their people educated without supporting the educators and workers. What can we do? Perhaps they need to tap into the college football program? It’s a shame when a football player makes more money than the people who work for the university. Don’t misunderstand me. I believe some of these college athletes get a raw deal. They should be compensated somewhat for the sacrifice of their bodies for entertainment purposes. I also recognize though, that they know what they are getting into by playing a college level sport such as football. There’s a lot more to funding a sports team via a university. Forgive my rant, but it’s frustrating.

25 Comments

1. Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachJuly 16,2024 at 12:07PM UTC

   For time eternal job search has been about networking. Even with online applications it helps to know someone.

   So, be sure to tap your network to find opportunities. Not just work networks, EVERYONE you know. Tell them about your goals (don’t ask for a job) and ask for ideas. Follow up with leads.

   And it sounds like it’s time to move on from your current employer. Pretty strong disillusionment going on there. Not all higher ed is the same so maybe another university? (Though low pay is a common feature)

   Find a good book on networking in the job search and good luck. I’m sure others here can help.

2. AnonymousJuly 16,2024 at 12:15PM UTC

   A note on your comment about the impossibility of finding a job. FGB is definitely more representative of people who are struggling to find well-paying jobs than those who are having relatively easier job searches.

   So don’t lose heart because there are people asking for help here. This is where people who would like support come, not those who easily found a job. And those people do exist (consider all the folks who had the luxury to turn down jobs at your university- they likely had other options in the works.)

   Good luck.

3. AnonymousJuly 16,2024 at 12:51PM UTC

   I understand. I used to work at a community college. For the pay I received, I could get public assistance! Yet, they want to have the ones who work there (I was support staff) do the work of 3+ people, and have avails evenings and weekends. I got out of there and would never ever consider going back full time. I don’t understand it why those who are there put up with it.

4. AnonymousJuly 16,2024 at 12:54PM UTC

   I understand what you're saying, but I agree with both comments below. As a State employee, are you also covered by a collective bargaining agreement? If so, try collaborating with your union's representatives about any actions, as this is probably not only affecting you, especially since you can't find people to work there. Otherwise, try expanding your search to other types of education (if you want to stay there), like private schools or K-12. If it's not the industry you are passionate about, try looking toward the private sector or non-profits. Since you work in HR, part of your network could be former employees who left and went on to better opportunities.

5. AnonymousJuly 16,2024 at 2:00PM UTC

   No collective bargaining agreements in this institution. The state see to that.

6. AnonymousJuly 16,2024 at 2:03PM UTC

   I also work in a university and see the same thing here. Unless you know someone in a certain department, you're not getting the job. They will play the game of calling a failed search and bring the job down to the lowest level just to get one of their family members in. Then they will reclass them to be paid at the higher level. There is a Women's Networking group, but even that is very political. They bring in speakers who coach you how to advance in your career, but these methods are not pertinent to this industry. The pension is the golden handcuffs. But even that isn't worth the lack of appreciation and mobility.

7. AnonymousJuly 17,2024 at 12:02PM UTC

   I don't know what university you work at, but this statement is NOT TRUE of all universities. I have 15 years experience as a hiring manager at two universities. I served on many search committees, chaired several and was one of the hiring managers. We ran comprehensive searches and hired people who had no prior connection to the university. One time, and one time only, I was aware that a Trustee's sister was an applicant. She didn't make it past the phone interview. No pressure to hire an unqualiied applicant. I have never hired a family member of mine or my colleagues. In fact, once my daughter's friend applied- she had an egregious error in her cover letter and didn't get the interview even though she had an "in". So, perhaps this is true where you work, but FGBers need to know it is not true of all universities.

8. AnonymousOctober 3,2025 at 12:26PM UTC

   I appreciate your response, and you’re correct, it doesn’t happen at all universities. I wasn’t making a blanket statement if some mistook my meaning. However, I stand by what I stated about nepotism. It’s a fact of employment most places, and I’ve been working in all levels and roles in personnel/HR, for profit and non-profit, from Fortune 500 to small business and various fields. Not trying to debate anything, I’m calling out what I have experienced.

9. AnonymousNovember 14,2025 at 2:40PM UTC

   Your experience doesn’t equal everyone’s experience. Remember that. It’s your filter on the world.

10. AnonymousJuly 16,2024 at 2:31PM UTC

    Hi! Former University Athletic Director here. First I understand your frustration, I started at a community college were I was Athletic Director, full faculty (teaching 9 hours a semester), and a head coach and was making a base salary of $47,000 with a $5,000 stipend to be the athletic director. INSANELY low pay for the workload. I moved to a University and my salary only increased to $65,000 after a LOT of negotiations. They wanted to start me at $50,000. Most Athletic Directors and Coaches make under $100,000!!!!! It is only at the few big NCAA “power schools” where coaches and AD’s make millions of dollars. This is a HUGE misconception that needs to be cleared up. I left that profession because of the low pay and the stress of the workload.

    Second, at those big power schools, athletics are completely separate business entities from the scholastic part of the school- they are revenue based corporations and do not receive state/federal funding for their programs. Most of the revenue comes from game day sales, merchandise, sponsorship, and donors. AND the income from the big revenue sports (football/basketball/baseball) is used to fund all of the other lower revenue sports (track and field, rowing, wrestling, cheer, etc). Most coaches have to still fundraise (even the bigger revenue generating sports) just to have a yearly operating budget (especially at smaller schools)!!! Most athletics programs barely break even on a yearly basis.
    And lastly, if it weren’t for athletics at many institutions, classroom seats wouldn’t be filled. Athletes made up 1/3 of the student body population at the community college and a 1/4 of the population at the University I worked for (and VERY FEW of them were on full ride scholarships). Most athletes have to work jobs on top of their scholastic and athletic obligations to survive outside the big NCAA programs. Again the athletes that are making the “big bucks” are few and far between- and they earn that money by working for endorsements from outside entrepreneurs - they don’t get paid from the University.
    Please reconsider your view on the role of athletics in our society- it allows many young men and women an opportunity for education that they might not otherwise have… we are all struggling in this economy and unfortunately (no matter how big your passion is for where you’re at) you may have to get out of education and into the private sector to seek a better opportunity for yourself- like I did…

11. AnonymousJuly 17,2024 at 12:49PM UTC

    I'm so glad you spoke up and spoke up from experience. I have a general understanding of what you have said but couldn't state it nearly as well as you did.

12. AnonymousJuly 17,2024 at 2:11PM UTC

    Thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time to read my post - there are so many misconceptions about college athletics and they get an unfair representation a lot of the time.

13. AnonymousOctober 3,2025 at 12:43PM UTC

    Thank you for responding and clarifying. I do understand what you’ve said and I wasn’t calling out athletics. I enjoy college football. You are absolutely correct…we need these programs in universities to keep students engaged. Coaches and AD have to answer to so many. What needs to happen is, more financial transparency. This also goes for every department. However, it’s difficult to explain university funding. Educating the masses is the only way. It needs to be properly pointed out the how’s, what’s, and whys. Add the “who” to it, and it could possibly help. I’m no expert, but, working as an HR professional, I see the surveys and the negative comments about athletics because they don’t understand the complex system. Cheers!

14. AnonymousJuly 16,2024 at 8:25PM UTC

    Might be time to look for a new job, not sure you're going to impact measurable change at this university.

15. AnonymousJuly 17,2024 at 12:20AM UTC

    Something has gone horribly sideways when an institution of higher learning has turned into a commercial sports franchise first, and has to run a school as merely a barrier to entry.

16. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdJuly 17,2024 at 12:53PM UTC

    As an educator myself, I truly appreciate this post. I also believe we spent far too much money for "entertainment" and not nearly enough on essentials. Case in point: celebrities, professional athletes, online "influencers". While nurses, police, firefighters, and teachers can be some of the lowest paying jobs in our country.

    Word of mouth is a powerful hiring tool. There are at least 3 people working at my company who came recommended by a current employee. So far, all 3 of these people have proven to be excellent. As one who has hired for my company, I admit to being slightly leery when I'm interviewing a personal reference.

    I do hope things improve for you. But the trend, sadly, seems to be low paying employees in favor of large company profits.

17. AnonymousJuly 19,2024 at 2:48AM UTC

    I was underpaid at least 30% relative to my peers at my previous workplace and it had become esp. toxic b/c of a leadership change that entrenched the good-old-boys. I left and then lost a verbal job offer at another company which looked a lot like retaliation (different company, but same "boys"). But then... a friend knew a friend who knew of a job ---yes, it was my turn to be the "someone" and two years later I am happier and making 50% more. Hang in there! ---well, not "there" as in that workplace, but generally - there is life beyond our current cell walls.

18. alanaddamsDecember 3,2025 at 2:30PM UTC
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