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Harvard University

Is this your company?

Take advantage of the opportunity and then go somewhere else. - Staff Assistant Harvard University Employee Review

2.0
Feb 28, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

If you are lucky enough to be employed at Harvard, you will enjoy the work-life balance and the salary is better than other University in Boston. Vacation is pretty generous, depending on your manager. Education benefits and working with brilliant, influential people is always a plus as well. Union raise every year too!

Cons

It seems like Harvard doesn't factor in interpersonal skills when hiring. Just throw a bunch of people together and hope for the best? Role mobility is not that easy unless you work your bum off in the same position for what may seem like an eternity. If you aren't doing something you love and something you are passionate about, this will probably get your foot in the door somewhere else (because apparently working at Harvard is a great look). I wouldn't recommend staying at Harvard unless you truly love the work you are doing and you want to take advantage of their awesome employee benefits. But after you get what you need, run, because you will get sucked in and be in the same pay grade for like 10 years, all for the love of "stability." Every section of Harvard is different, but I think the overall culture of Harvard in terms of their employees is that appearance is everything. Even if the staff are unhappy, as long as "we" look good, that's all that matters.

Explore other reviews about Harvard University

5.0
Jul 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Excellent infrastructure, people, breathtaking resources

Cons

None, really. Wish they offered 2 year postdocs at the MHC

2.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great Union and benefits for non-profits/higher ed. Wonderful colleagues outside of leadership!

Cons

GSD Development and Alumni Relations (under current leadership) is an incredibly toxic work environment. I didn't realize the intensity of the toll it took on my until after leaving, and I am not one to leave a negative review, but as they are hiring for several positions currently, I wish to share words of caution with applicants. Cons: - Absolutely not a safe space for anyone who is Black, brown, trans, queer, working-class, or disabled - 100% top-down direction. No room for personal exploration, initiative, or creativity. - Minimal guidance from leadership - Frequent pivots, even in the late stages of projects - Petty, immature talking behind your back by leadership - No upward mobility unless the Associate Dean or Dean like you - Deeply disingenuous comments, reflections, and feedback from leadership - Complete lack of transparency on direction, goals, etc. - Small mistakes are made cornerstones of performance evaluations, while leadership routinely missteps. Leadership never takes accountability. - Top-down policy decisions, completely lacking detail, thought, and care outside of legal ramifications - Ever-changing in-office requirements

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