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Career Connections

Dynamic learning environment, innovation-driven culture, enviable faculty and staff. Amid our culture of achievement, it’s no surprise that many employees progress in their careers by taking on new roles within Harvard.

The following classes and tools can help you prepare for your next position, put your best foot forward in the application process, and gain an understanding of Harvard's career landscape. And just as importantly, they'll help you excel in your current role.

Career Connections Across Harvard 2024: A Reimagined Career Development Program Exclusively for Harvard staff.

A Fresh Chapter for Your Career in 2024!

Chalkboard with diagram and text Career Connection Across HarvardGet ready for the all-new Career Connections – an exclusive and redesigned experience crafted just for Harvard staff. We have transformed our annual one-day event into a dynamic, year-round journey designed to help you explore career development opportunities here at Harvard.

Throughout the year, we will be hosting panel discussions, webinars, networking events, and other special events to help you meaningfully connect with your Harvard colleagues, explore common interests, and collectively shape your professional futures.

What Can You Look Forward to in 2024

  • Individual resume review sessions
  • Networking in your interest areas
  • Career advice from Harvard colleagues
  • Opportunities to build inclusive communities to share and support career goals

Career Connections across Harvard Events:

In-Person Resume Review and Networking Sessions! Choose how you’d like to participate! - May 1, 2024

In-Person Resume Review Sessions

Improve your resume in a 20-minute one-on-one session with a Harvard Human Resources professional. You will receive a high-level resume review with personalized tips and suggestions.

All sessions will be held in person at the Center for Workplace Development, 124 Mt. Auburn Street, third floor. Open to all Harvard staff.

20-minute appointments are available between 12 noon- 2 p.m. on a first come first serve basis.

Registration is required. Register here for May 1 2024 resume review session.

To prepare for the resume review, please:

  • Bring a hard copy of your latest up-to-date resume
  • Proofread the resume for typos, spelling, and grammar
  • Prepare specific 1-2 questions to ask your reviewer

Career Connections In-Person Networking Sessions

Networking is a vital part of career development. It allows you to foster critical relationships, share knowledge and experiences, and create a collaborative community that thrives on mutual support. And through these activities and experiences, you may find you can advance your career as well.

These in-person facilitated networking sessions provide a unique opportunity to connect with peers, learn from each other's successes and challenges, and expand your professional network here at Harvard. All sessions will be held in person at the Center for Workplace Development, 124 Mt. Auburn Street, third floor. Open to all Harvard staff.

Each session is limited to 40 participants. Registration is required. Choose the session that fits your interests and schedule.

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Networking Sessions for New Harvard Staff
This event is designed for staff who started at Harvard 3 – 18 months ago and who would like to meet others new to Harvard. A facilitator will structure the networking session with conversation prompts and exercises to break the ice and build meaningful connections in a supportive environment. As a newer Harvard employee, you’ll leave this event with new contacts and tips to help you navigate your career at Harvard.

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Networking Sessions with Harvard Peers: Sharing your Career Story
This event is for Harvard staff who are looking for an opportunity to meet new people from across the Harvard community, share their career stories, and gain new insights and resources from peers. A facilitator will lead with conversation prompts and exercises designed to help you practice your professional networking skills, whether you are comfortable networking or not at all.

Register here for May 1 Career Connections Networking Circles.

Career Courses and Tools

How to Prepare as an Internal Candidate

This comprehensive online course is available through the Harvard training portal anytime.  It provides important thought questions and practical examples of resumes, cover letters and interviews.  All internal candidates are encouraged to review the course content before beginning your internal job search.

Other career development courses on the Harvard Training Portal:

Additional internal mobility resources

Watch these helpful videos for valuable insights from Harvard staff about managing your career at Harvard: 

Use these checklists to guide your preparations as an internal candidate:

Watch for *Career Connections across Harvard, our annual career development event open to all benefits-eligible staff, typically held in June.

LinkedIn Learning

Linked In Learning has a vast number of career development courses, here is a collection of them: 

Selected Career Development Topics from LinkedIn Career Development

How much time do you have for Career Development?  Any amount of time counts; it all adds up.  This a chart gives you a few ideas to get your started.