Pros
For me personally: - benefits, such as health insurance. I am a young healthy 20-something and I have never used any portion of the health plan, but it kept be from having to buy it through the exchanges. - The next best benefit is that a gym membership is $30/year and you get half price MBTA passes. - Extremely low stress, easy work for money that seems like too much. Though the monotony and tedious nature of the work somewhat justifies it. - You can tell people you work at Harvard. - Some good training courses available at Center for Workforce Development.
Cons
- I don't know what this position is preparing me to do in the future. It's easy and you get paid pretty well, but I fear that while it's good as a single 20 something now, I will potentially lack the skills and real experience that would allow me to make a lot more money later when it matters more (with a family for example). - Merit is not really a thing here. Union members get automatic increases. It doesn't matter if you're any good or not. Almost no incentive to do anything more than necessary to stay on your manager's good side. - Different rules for staff vs managers. Gets frustrating. Mind you, not on paper, but in practice. - I don't know anyone outside of my narrow little department. There isn't really a feeling that we all work for the same thing. - No clear direction. - In theory, tons of awesome educational benefits, especially the ability to get degrees for 90% off or $40 / class at Extension School. But who has time for this?? Don't let stuff like this trick you. - Good to get in for a few years and then get out. - Very little sense of purpose. - High turnover. - Harvard overall is a monoculture. The assumption is that your personal beliefs are secular and progressive. You will not want to say much anything if you don't fit into those categories. It's very common for these things to be assumed when others start conversations with you.