employer cover photo
employer logo
employer logo

Harvard University

Is this your company?

An exciting ivory tower, but an ivory tower nonetheless... - Anonymous employee Harvard University Employee Review

4.0
Aug 27, 2009
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Some of the brightest and best students and faculty on a global basis, so the inspirational value is high and there's a great sense of being at the leading edge of thought in many domains. The world outside shows great respect for a Harvard background. There is great freedom to structure your own time, but great pressure to perform without much detailed support re: how to get better. Harvard expects you to take the initiative.

Cons

The professional schools at Harvard focus less on contributing to the profession through the subsequent work of students, and more on published ideas of faculty as reviewed by other faculty around the globe. So, ultimately, this is faculty talking to faculty rather than staying closely connected to and influential with the world of practitioners. Too much faculty politics, too little real-world engagement, education, and career support.

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