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Harvard University

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Top-heavy trickle-down - Research Assistant Harvard University Employee Review

3.0
Feb 7, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Amazing benefits and endless educational opportunities (if you make the time for them)

Cons

Nealy impossible to move laterally within organization, which is structured for the benefit of high-status faculty and administration. Salaries for supporting research staff seems under-appreciative of immense "trickle down" workload and there is virtually no staff support for mid-level employees.

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Pros

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Cons

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2.0
Jun 30, 2026
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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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