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Harvard University

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Great benefits, not sure about long term job growth - Finance Harvard University Employee Review

3.0
Mar 19, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible, great benefits, good mission, great area. If you don't take advantage of the TAP program here you are a crazy person, it's awesome. You will work with a lot of incredibly smart and dedicated people (some not so much, see cons).

Cons

There is a higher than average lifer/hard-worker ratio here than most places. It's seems like it's getting harder to disappear in to the bureaucracy (which is good), but there are still some entitled staff that view having their job as a right. I say that as a staff member. Staff are also always the lowest on the totem pole. Pray a faculty member doesn't see something of yours they want, it might be gone the next day... like your office for instance. And while the benefits are great, the pay is not. Price of a healthy work-life balance it seems, but as a young worker it is frustrating watching your peers in similar positions make down payments on houses while you can only envision renting.

Explore other reviews about Harvard University

5.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

This place is huge, your mileage may vary based on which school and which department you work in - even in the same role. I have the best manager hands-down, and the team around me makes it all worth it.

Cons

Pay is slow to advance, PTO stuck at 15ish days annual, career advancement is inconsistent

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

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