Working at EDMC Education Management Corporation — Reviews by Employees

I am looking for current and former EDMC employees to speak with me for a story that I am researching. I can be reached at cdeitch@steelcitymedia.com

I left EDMC about 7 months ago and have secured employement with a great company, making the money I was making before I took the job at EDMC (I took a pay cut to go there, wow). Seriously, if you're a prospective employee for EDMC, just look at the sheer volume of bad press. This many people can't be wrong, or ineffective at their jobs, or just miserable. Percetion is reality, and the reality is a LOT of people hate this place, including me. I can't possibly say anything that hasn't already been said, so I won't go into detail about the job or the company. But I will say that this many bad reviews can't be ignored. It's such a shame that Pittsburgh, with its limited corporate headquarters and limited employment opportunities, has a company like this at the helm of its economic climate. U of Phoenix was on 60 Minutes AGAIN a few weeks ago. I'm sure that EDMC would be quick to point out that they were not a part of that story. Sure, now, but don't kid yourself in thinking that they're exempt from any analysis from the US Dept of Education or other bodies of law. i received a survey a couple months ago, from an outside company, asking me about my days employed at EDMC. I was brutally honest. Maybe the powers that be are trying to make a difference. The fact that I received this survey proves that somebody, somewhere higher up knows there's trouble in River City. So for all you defendants of the organization, wake up. Change someone's life: your own. Put the Kool Aid down and be honest with yourself, although that might be hard to do since you're so dishonest every day of your life in the hallowed halls of EDMC.

I was briefly with this company, and I would encourage anyone who may take a position here to seriously reconsider. I had just recently graduated and was looking for work in academic administration. I was ecstatic when I was hired here. Everything seemed to go perfectly. My interviews were very positive and the pay (at $31 grand a year) was excellent. And best of all, it was in a professional setting where I could help students. Or so I thought....

This company treats education like used cars. The "Admissions Representative" position consists of you spending 8 hours a day every day, badgering people into deciding to enroll in college and file the FAFSA in one phone call. IN ONE PHONE CALL! Deciding to go back to school should be a thorough and well thought out decision. Not something you do in a forty minute phone call. The trainers are quick to point out that these are people who requested information. Not true. EDMC simply buys these people's information from job search engines. So if you don't have a college degree and filled out a job search, we'll call you relentless three times a day, every day until you either change your number or stop answering your phone.

EDMC was recently in the news because less then 40% of there students have been able to pay back their loans. They are in danger of losing their Title 4 funding, and if that happens, then it is game over for them. What apparently has been happening to the other 60% is that we call these poor, uneducated people, promise them a quick fix to all of their problems by obtaining an "education" and then the money will start rolling in. The problem is that oftentimes these students are unprepared and unqualified for college, are unable to finish, and now thousands of dollars in debt because we pressured them into taking out loans they can't afford.

But then again you have to ask yourself, "What kind of school admission requirements that only consist of having a GED and good credit?"

I currently work for this company in an Academic Advising position. I think the majority of the postings on here are from people who work(ed) in Admissions. There is a ton of pressure put on the ADAs but I've seen things dramatically improve with time.

I've been with the company for over five years and this makes me VERY veteran. Everyone whines and complains how shady and under handed the Admissions people are but rarely do people mention that ALL students are given Academic Advisors.

My pay is not comission based, nor is it on a metric system. I take my students educational experience seriously. In the past I have told students that clearly do not belong in our school that I don't think that our degree programs are going to be a good fit for them--be it for finacial reasons or because they failed the most fundamental english course so many times.

I do feel my coworkers--even those in admissions--do respect me, and I feel that the management does a fairly decent job.

Again, I'm not in sales, but EDMC is NOT the evil company people think it is!

Amazing how many of you post on company time, using company equipment, revealing company ups and down, shortfalls. This information is viewed by so many people especially during this time of media reviews, investor reviews, attorney (from all sides), politicians, etc. Let the truth speak for itself.

Let me first say that I am a current employee and have been with EDMC for only 5 years. I have experienced so much in these few years and let me sum it up: I F&%ing LOVE WHAT I DO. I am no longer an ADA because in that short period of time I left the ADA role, moved into management and went on to a position within the coorporate office that affords me job satisfaction. Here are some facts: Life is tough and you have to work hard to do well-I gave up saturdays and nights at home for a few years early after college. I couldn't go out and drink or leave the office early...but now my reality is a great career I am proud of that pays well offers flexibility and has become a large part of who I am. I have seen more lazy EDMC employees who expect an easy job making big bucks out of college...good luck because without sacrafice you can't get anywhere in life. I was in management and saw turnover and most of it was a complete disregard for the American dream-Complaints? Disagree? Don't argue with me instead go pick up that unemployment check-because I am sure you didn't resign once you figured out the job wasn't for you-.

I have been an E.D.M.C. Employee for almost a year. I hold a B.A. in Psych and a M.S. in Biochemical Sciences and Engineering. Currently, I am an ADA and I take great pride in interviewing prospective students that may be able to meet the necessary academic qualifications. This company has stood behind each and every employee, regardless of "applications".
My company sets the gold standard for how all should be treated in a Corporate Environment. If you work hard, and follow the rules, sky's the limit. As you read through the responses, you can see that all of the "ex-employee's" had a bad experience because they were ineffective at their job, thus they are collecting unemployment and struggling to survive. It is the belief of this author that E.D.M.C. will be here long after the disgruntled workers have collected their last unemployment check. Maybe they should request some information..I know a great Admissions Director!

Education Management payback rate tops threshold

By Rick Stouffer, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 17, 2010

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_695188.html

Funny you mention the warm transfers who filled out a job application. This industry is so ripe with corruption and EDMC had become one of the worst. I received a warm transfer today who had posted a resume on resumebucket.com and never expressed any interest in education. A quick mock job interview and transferred to me. The MGroup reports that have these "bait and switch" leads have the highest conversion rates - the company doesn't care if it makes us leave the office feeling like scoundrels for not apologizing for the deception and allowing them to actually do some research on Higher ED before having them sign the binding arbitration agreement. EDMC now has all "leads" in a "lead pool". One call close, or another ADA/AR calls them within a few hours, even when marked as "not interested". There is no opportunity to advise a student of their educational options, if you don't get them to sign the arbitration agreement on first contact, someone else will because they go back into the "pool".

Anthony DiGiovanni, Lowell L. Vande Kamp and the rest of the Executive Committee that McKernan, Joans and Leeds brought in from Apollo Group and Corinthian have run the company into the ground (not that it wasn't already heading there).

Dial, Dial, Dial, Close, Close, Close. It is truly a scene from Glenngary Glenn Ross with Todd S. Nelson driving the train.

If you are a salesman that wants try and get people in to school that arent ready for it, and openly admit that they arent ready for it, then this is the place for you. First of all, I was not an ADA, but I saw first hand how they got treated. One 2nd Director even went as far as calling his ada stupid and incompetent right in front of quite a few people. I want to mention names directly , but I will not due to the fact that I am sure that this will cover alot of people anyway. EDMC says they care about thier students, but all they really want is apps.

So, with that being said, here goes my rant. They do not live up to promises made and have so many double standards that it forced me to leave. Upon my hiring, I was told I would be working a m-f schedule from 8-5 which I thought was great. I show up for my first day of training and they "conviniently" tell me that "no, your schedule is t-sat." When asked if i could get it changed, thier response was, sorry but thats how it is, with no explination...bait and switch!! Second, in my interview I mentioned that I had something pre-planned in october that I will need a day off for. Wouldnt you know it that day was the Saturday before a start week. In the interview, I said the date, it was discussed, and was told "no problem, just give us notice". Well, when it came to schedule potential vacation days, IN JULY!!!!!!, I gave them the notice they requested. My supervisor approaches me and said you cant have this day off because its start week. I kindly explained that I was told I could have it off in my interview. He then says there is no way youre getting that day off. After a couple days, I explained again that I need the day off and what would I need to do, even offering working large amounts of OT. The response I got was "There is no way in hell youre getting that day off, now go away".......talk about lack of professionalism!! But, they gave another 2 colleagues off because "they had something planned already.".......Lied to from the start...one reason I wanted to leave!!

The job itself was OK,,,,,,besides calling and hounding the same student 5 times a day for 2 weeks straight to meet your call quota for the day. The place disgusts me and I have moved on to a better job at a better university. The company is under investigation by congress for various reasons. I am glad i got out while I could.

If you need a job until something else comes along, then this is the place for you. If you like being belittled by management, lied to, have your soul owned during start week because you need to "change lives" and have no respect unless your a kiss ass, EDMC is a great place.