My Letter to New HGSE Students

October is my favorite month, and I feel nostalgic for HGSE! I haven’t met in person with students for career coaching appointments since March 2020 Covid shut down, and I left the Career Services Office at the end of 2020. So I’ve been imagining what it would be like to be back doing on-campus meetings with students. What would I most want to say to HGSE students about career advice?

First and foremost, your time at HGSE is incredibly special! The academic and social resources are amazing. Your biggest challenge may be prioritizing and balancing your time. It’s so important that you take advantage of the opportunities that inspire you the most. Think of yourself as a researcher for your own learning and career. Pay attention to where you are spending your time and energy and use that information to inform your decisions about the classes you take, lectures and events you attend, activities you join, and connections you make. If you observe your own process and keep your actions in line with your mission, you will get where you want to go.

HGSE’s Career Services Office has incredible staff and programming to help you succeed in your career decision-making and job search. Take advantage of these offerings! First, begin your career consciousness early so that you can identify and fill your gaps toward your desired position and career. Then, meet with someone in the CSO to help you strategize and learn about resources you may want to get involved with and course projects or internships that will fill career gaps.

Make connections all over Harvard! Everyone wants to hear from students so reach out to HGSE alumni (like me) on LinkedIn. While offerings at HGSE could keep you busy 24/7-- courses, lectures, and activities at the other Harvard Schools are also invaluable. Make sure to explore HKS and the academic departments at FAS and GSAS for project and internship opportunities. At Harvard—and beyond—you can take the initiative to work with phenomenal professors and staff to create amazing learning experiences for yourself. Keep abreast of the Events Calendars for all of the Harvard schools--you will be blown away by the speakers who come to campus. Don’t miss out on the Harvard Art Museum. Yes, the Glass Flowers at the Harvard Museum of Natural History are worth visiting--and Burdicks for chocolate! Your time on campus will fly by, so choose wisely and build relationships while you're at HGSE to be a part of your life for the long term.

Wishing you a spectacular year!