employer cover photo
employer logo
employer logo

Harvard University

Is this your company?

Very flexible, but requires self-motivation. - Grad Student Harvard University Employee Review

4.0
Jan 10, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

As a grad student, my working time is very flexible which I like. My adviser also allows me to develop my own research interested, which is cooler than most places. Finally my adviser is willing to spend personal time with me to talk about research, and is extremely smart and well as technically competent, which to my knowledge, is not always true everywhere.

Cons

The flexibility that comes with working as a grad students also means that you need to be very self-motivated. You need to choose your own classes to attend, and papers to read. This sometimes might make you feel aimless. Also, sometimes being a Teaching Fellow takes a lot of time, depending on which professor is teaching the class.

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