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Harvard University

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Only start or end your career here. No room for growth. - Financial Analyst Harvard University Employee Review

3.0
28 July 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Great benefits, especially if seeking an undergraduate/graduate degree from the Extension School - Excellent healthcare - Great co-workers - Great work-life balance

Cons

- Disconnected leadership - Constant miscommunication - Forgotten or withheld promises from leadership - Low compensation (although most higher ed is) - Very difficult to earn a title and/or salary promotion. Have better luck applying to higher roles across the University for “promotions” rather than staying with one team

Explore other reviews about Harvard University

5.0
30 June 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
30 June 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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