Emily Rostel

Health Physicist

Environmental Health & Safety

For Emily Rostel, Stanford’s work culture is defined by bright people and a value for work-life balance. It’s a culture that Emily, a health physicist, says has allowed her to feel successful and satisfied in the two years she has worked at Stanford and “is critical to me wanting to stay.”

“Stanford is a work environment of very smart people.  I learn a lot from the folks I work with,” she says. “However, unlike many places that attract smart, ambitious people, there is an emphasis on helping employees maintain a work-life balance. Stanford not only allows, but encourages using my lunch hours to exercise. This helps me stay focused throughout the work day and gives me more time for other things while I am home.”

On the job, Emily says she has been given the tools, resources and exposure to excel. “Stanford consistently supports and encourages acquiring the skills I need to do my job better,” she says. “And I really appreciate that Stanford allows me to participate in diverse projects.”

The benefits and rewards of working at Stanford are also attractive features that are hard to put a price tag on, says Emily. “The typical benefits, such as vacation, retirement and health, are excellent, but it’s really the extra benefits that make working at Stanford enjoyable,” she says. “I have used my professional development money to take classes on sports nutrition, gluten-free diets, and personal finance. I’ve used my free Caltrain pass to go to San Francisco on the weekends. And Stanford provides $300 a year in exchange for me riding my bike to work rather than driving, which I prefer to do anyway.”