employer cover photo
employer logo
employer logo

Harvard University

Is this your company?

Great benefits, job is alright. - Staff Assistant Harvard University Employee Review

3.0
Mar 13, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

excellent benefits and not just health but within the greater Boston area, discounts to all sorts of things. good intellectual opportunities through lectures and talks and such around campus. the extension school provides an incredible opportunities to get degrees and certificates. Also once you work for Harvard it is much easier to get a different job in a different Harvard school or department.

Cons

poor management. pay inst great. people can be really frustrating to work with. a lot of big egos float around no matter what school or department you are in. Also it is HUGE so it can take a while to get a good understanding of how everything works. Not a lot of feedback or positive reinforcement. My particular job (staff assistant) doesn't require much brain power which most of the time I hate.

Explore other reviews about Harvard University

5.0
Jul 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Light work if you have the right team

Cons

Low pay for amount of work

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

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All