Janice Lozano
Working as a student mentor for Western Governors University has received mixed reviews. Some employees have praised the company's mission and the relationships they built with students, while others have criticised the poor pay, long hours, and a focus on metrics and numbers. The company has been described as having a cult-like atmosphere with managers who are inexperienced and overly critical. However, some reviews highlight the flexibility of working from home and the positive work culture. Overall, opinions vary, with some mentors finding it a rewarding role and others feeling dissatisfied with the lack of growth and poor management.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work hours | Long days, odd hours, split shifts, expected to be available during lunch breaks |
| Work style | Work from home, completely online |
| Management | Inexperienced, overly critical, micro-managing, unresponsive to frontline workers, focused on metrics and numbers |
| Company culture | Cult-like, disorganized, unprofessional, yes-man/group-think/double-speak culture |
| Pay | Low, unfair |
| Career prospects | Little to no upward mobility, limited room for growth, actively discouraged from moving into other positions |
| Job security | Poor, recent decisions negatively impacted many employees |
| Job description | More like sales than education, focused on keeping students enrolled and pushing them through courses quickly |
| Student relationship | Great relationships, but mentors are blamed when students resent the pressure |
| Workload | Unmanageable caseloads, endless "remediation" work |
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What You'll Learn
- Student mentors are held responsible for students' progress, which affects their evaluations and pay
- Management is described as cult-like with an agenda focused on numbers and finances
- Mentors report building great relationships with students but working long and odd hours
- The CEO's background at Amazon indicates a shift in culture, with mentors treated like pickers
- Some mentors are WGU graduates, providing one-on-one guidance and weekly check-in calls
Student mentors are held responsible for students' progress, which affects their evaluations and pay
Student mentors at Western Governors University are responsible for the progress of their students, which can affect their evaluations and pay. The university's administration has a ""student obsession" and a focus on metrics and finances. Student mentors are evaluated based on how quickly they can push students through their courses, which some mentors describe as "harassing them on the phone about doing their school work" and treating students like children. Mentors are expected to make weekly check-in calls and ensure students are on track to complete their degrees. This evaluation system has led to concerns about unfair job practices, as mentors' pay and job security are influenced by their ability to meet these metrics.
The role of a student mentor at Western Governors University involves providing one-on-one guidance to students throughout their studies. Mentors help students create a course plan, understand university policies and procedures, and stay motivated to complete their degrees. While some students appreciate the support and guidance provided by their mentors, others view the frequent check-ins as overly intrusive. Some students have described the mentors as "babysitters" or "coddling," indicating a desire for more independence in their learning journey.
The expectations and metrics set by the university administration for student mentors can be challenging to meet. Mentors are expected to work long days and odd hours to support their students, and the workload can be demanding. The university's focus on metrics and quick student progress has been a point of contention for mentors, who feel that the quality of education may be compromised. Some mentors have expressed concerns about the lack of support from management and the impact of their evaluations on their pay and job security.
While some student mentors have built great relationships with their students, the pressure to meet metrics and the evaluation system can be challenging. The university's focus on quick student progress and high enrolment numbers has led to concerns about the quality of education and the treatment of mentors. Mentors are expected to work independently and take responsibility for their students' progress, which can be demanding and, at times, overwhelming.
The evaluation system at Western Governors University directly links student mentors' performance to their pay and job security. While the university prioritises student progress and enrolment, mentors are held accountable for ensuring their students meet these metrics. This performance-based evaluation system can be stressful for mentors, especially when combined with the demanding workload and long hours. Mentors are expected to take initiative and ownership of their students' success, which can be rewarding when relationships are positive but challenging when faced with student resentment or administrative pressure.
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Management is described as cult-like with an agenda focused on numbers and finances
Several reviews of Western Governors University's (WGU)'s student mentor roles describe the management as cult-like with an agenda focused on numbers and finances.
Reviews describe a culture of "student obsession", where mentors are evaluated based on how quickly they can push students through their courses. This has resulted in mentors feeling pressured to harass students about their school work and treat them like children. The focus on metrics and numbers is further emphasised by the high caseloads that mentors are expected to manage, with limited support from management.
Mentors have also reported feeling punished through endless "remediation" work if their numbers are not high enough, and that their performance is unfairly impacted by student complaints. The emphasis on metrics is particularly notable given that many mentors hold advanced degrees, such as RNs with Master's degrees, and feel they are being treated like robots.
The culture at WGU has been described as changing, with some reviews noting that mentors are no longer viewed as valuable frontline employees but rather as dispensable. This shift has been attributed to the CEO's background at Amazon, suggesting a prioritisation of efficiency over employee satisfaction.
While some reviews praise WGU's mission and the relationships mentors build with students, the management's focus on numbers and finances has led to concerns about the quality of education and mentor job security.
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Mentors report building great relationships with students but working long and odd hours
While some mentors at Western Governors University report building great relationships with students, they also report working long and odd hours.
One former student mentor at Western Governors University reports that they loved their students and their team and co-workers. They also highlight the positive experience of working with an amazing team. However, they mention that they had to work long days and odd hours. Another former employee mentions that they built great relationships with their students but worked long days with odd hours, including days and evenings.
Student mentors at Western Governors University are responsible for keeping students enrolled and are evaluated based on how quickly they can push students through their courses. This often involves harassing students about their school work, which can lead to resentment from students. Mentors are also responsible for making weekly check-in calls with their students. While some students appreciate the support and guidance provided by their mentors, others view mentors as a form of "babysitting" or "coddling," indicating a desire for more independence in their learning journey.
The role of a student mentor at Western Governors University can be demanding, with reports of unmanageable caseloads and expectations to work outside of traditional business hours. Mentors are expected to be available during lunch breaks and work a minimum of 10 hours outside of the typical 8 am to 5 pm workday. This may involve working split shifts to meet the requirements. Additionally, there are concerns about low pay, limited upward mobility, and a focus on metrics rather than mentor well-being.
Despite the challenges, some mentors find the role rewarding, as they are dedicated to helping students graduate and achieve their career goals. They serve as cheerleaders and motivators, providing ongoing support to their mentees.
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The CEO's background at Amazon indicates a shift in culture, with mentors treated like pickers
Western Governors University (WGU) is an online university that was founded in 1997 by a group of U.S. governors. The university's mission is to provide a personal, flexible, and affordable education to its students. WGU is known for its competency-based education model, which allows students to master concepts and progress towards a degree at their own pace. Each student at WGU is assigned a program mentor who provides one-on-one guidance and support throughout their studies. These mentors are typically WGU graduates themselves and are responsible for helping students create a course plan, understand university policies, and stay motivated to complete their degrees.
However, reviews from former and current student mentors at WGU paint a different picture of the university's culture and work environment. Many reviews highlight the high expectations and heavy workload associated with the role. Student mentors are expected to work long and odd hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of their students. The role often involves managing a large caseload of students, which can be challenging due to a lack of support from management.
The CEO of WGU has a background in Amazon, and this is believed to be influencing the shift in the organization's culture. There is a perception that student mentors are increasingly being treated like "pickers," indicating a focus on efficiency and metrics. Mentors feel that they are held responsible for student progress and retention, with their evaluations and pay tied to these factors. This has created a high-pressure environment where mentors feel pressured to push students through their courses quickly.
The management style at WGU has been described as "cult-like," with a focus on numbers and financial metrics rather than student well-being. Mentors report feeling micromanaged and evaluated based on their ability to keep students enrolled, often leading to a negative experience for both mentors and students. The university's recent decisions, such as the RTO mandate that resulted in the loss of remote work for many employees, have also contributed to a sense of dissatisfaction and instability within the organization.
Despite the challenges, some student mentors at WGU have shared positive experiences. They highlight the opportunity to build great relationships with students and the satisfaction of helping them succeed. However, the overall sentiment suggests that the role of a student mentor at WGU can be demanding and may not align with the educational focus that mentors and students expect.
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Some mentors are WGU graduates, providing one-on-one guidance and weekly check-in calls
Working as a student mentor at Western Governors University (WGU) has its pros and cons, according to reviews on Indeed.com. On the positive side, some reviewers report building great relationships with students. One reviewer describes WGU as "a good company with a great mission", and another says they "loved [their] students and [...] team and co-workers".
However, several reviews describe a "cult-like atmosphere", with management focused on numbers and financial metrics rather than students. Some reviewers feel that they are treated like "metric-focused robots", and that they are unfairly blamed when students complain about phone calls. Other reviews mention low pay, long hours, and limited room for growth.
Despite these criticisms, WGU alumni have shared how their mentors helped them identify their goals, supported them through challenges, and provided ongoing encouragement and support.
At WGU, every incoming student is assigned a program mentor, a faculty member who provides one-on-one guidance throughout their studies. Some mentors are WGU graduates themselves, and they help students create a course plan, understand university policies and procedures, and stay motivated and on track to complete their degrees. Mentors usually make weekly check-in calls with their students to ensure things are going smoothly and provide support.
These weekly check-in calls can be a source of encouragement and motivation for students, as they can discuss any questions or concerns they may have with their mentor. Mentors can also help students navigate university policies and procedures, which can be especially helpful for new students.
In addition to providing one-on-one guidance, WGU mentors may also help students create a personalised course plan that aligns with their career goals. This could involve selecting appropriate courses, determining the pace of study, and providing information about certification options.
Overall, while there are mixed reviews about the experience of working as a student mentor at WGU, the mentor programme appears to be a valuable source of support for students, with some WGU graduates crediting their mentors for their success.
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Frequently asked questions
The work culture at Western Governors University has been described as ''cult-like'', with a focus on numbers and financial gains rather than actual student obsession. The management has been criticized for being disorganized, unprofessional, and restrictive, leading to a high-pressure environment.
Student mentors are expected to work long days and odd hours, including evenings and lunch breaks, to meet the needs of their students. The work is completely online, and mentors may have to set up split shifts or work a minimum number of hours outside of regular business hours.
Student mentors at Western Governors University are responsible for guiding and supporting students throughout their academic journey. They help students create course plans, understand university policies, and stay motivated to complete their degrees. Mentors also make regular check-in calls and provide one-on-one guidance.
One of the main challenges reported by student mentors is the high-pressure environment and the focus on metrics. Mentors are evaluated based on how quickly they can push students through their courses, which can lead to a sales-like environment. Additionally, caseloads are often described as unmanageable, and mentors may feel restricted in their career growth within the university.
Student mentors have the opportunity to build great relationships with their students and make a positive impact on their academic journey. The university's mission of providing accessible and flexible education is admirable, and mentors are dedicated to helping students succeed and graduate.
