HGSE Admissions Blog

by Katie Filiakova

Happy February! Alongside many other students who have just begun their last semester at HGSE, I have started the thrilling and anxiety-inducing process of looking for a job. And while I am slowly descending into the madness of figuring out who I want to be when I grow up, I am excited to share some of the amazing resources HGSE offers to support students at any stage of their career planning process.

• All HGSE students have access to The Hub – a great online resource where students can find posted job listings within the Harvard community and beyond, schedule appointment with the Career Planning advisors, look at some coaching materials to reflect on their goals, and much more.
• The Career Planning advisors are available to chat about anything career-related, from resumes to life-long goals. You can always schedule a 1:1 meeting or stop by the weekly Career Lab office hours to skip the hassle of finding time on your calendar.
• HGSE has a giant net of alumni networks, and every program, concentration, and even some classes have engaged alumni who are passionate about connecting with current students. No matter where you want to go after HGSE, odds are there already are HGSE alums working in the same sphere who would be happy to share their wisdom and experience.
• Many professors at HGSE ensure that their classes are built to facilitate career-readiness. In some of my classes, I have had opportunities to meet with alumni, practice preparing for job interviews, and learn about the backstage work of some of the positions I am interested in.
• Career fairs and alumni events are also incredible resources that are organized by both the Career Planning office and HGSE programs. They are a great way to network and explore what opportunities are out there.
• For my fellow international students, there are career planning events that are specifically geared towards navigating employment while on an F1 visa. 

Job search is a tedious and often stressful process, and I am lucky to have a wide support system here at HGSE. Wish me luck!