January @OCS

Intern or shadow an alum or employer in January!

Alumni and employers may offer internships (paid or unpaid) or job-shadowing experiences between January 3-21, 2022. These experiences allow students to observe and ask questions, gain hands-on experience, learn about an organization or industry, and build relationships.

Here are examples of activities you may engage in during a job shadow experience (many can be done remotely):

• Shadowing an alum or employer on a typical workday
• Attending workplace meetings
• Conducting informational interviews with staff
• Undertaking a voluntary small project or relevant research assignment
• Serving alongside an employer in volunteer work
• Discussing industry trends and an organization's mission
• Participating in an educational tour conducted by the office or organization

Search for a Winter Break Experience

Students are encouraged to create an independent job shadow experience by connecting with alumni directly. Winter Break Experiences are also posted in Crimson Careers and may be offered by an alum, an employer, or in conjunction with a Harvard affiliate (e.g. the Center for Public Service and Engaged Scholarship).

Log in to Crimson Careers and select “Winter Break Experience” as the position type to search all postings.

• Note that Winter Break Experiences are typically posted from September through November.
• Internships may be paid or unpaid. Job shadowing experiences are typically unpaid.
• Note that OCS is unable to provide funding for January 2022 experiences. Students will be responsible for their own travel and housing expenses.

JANUARY SITE VISITS
January 10-22, 2022

Join your classmates on a 90-minute virtual visit to an organization where you will have the opportunity to network with alumni and professionals, learn about an organization's culture and mission, explore various roles and functions, and learn about internships and jobs in the sector.

2022 visits will be announced in November. Here is a list of where we visited in 2021:

Harvard Business School Virtual Site Visit: Mock Case Class

Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 3:00 - 4:30pm ET
Eligibility: Current Harvard College students

Considering business school in the future? Interested in the Harvard Business School 2+2 Program? Learn about the HBS Case Method by participating in this mock case session hosted by 2+2 faculty adviser Ethan Bernstein. This is a great chance to see the case method in action! Please only join this event if you can make it for the entire 1 hour and 20 minute session and will have time prior to the event to review the case (case materials will be distributed electronically in the week prior to the event).

RTI Virtual Site Visit

Tuesday, January 19, 2021, 2:30 - 4:15pm ET
Eligibility: Current students of Harvard College, GSAS, and Extension School (admitted degree candidates)

Join this virtual visit to learn about RTI International, an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition in the following practice areas: Health, Education and Workforce Development, International Development, Energy Research, Environmental Sciences, Social and Justice Policy, Food Security and Agriculture, and Innovation Ecosystems.

With headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina and offices in 25 countries worldwide, RTI addresses critical problems with scientific rigor and technical proficiency. Staff of nearly 6,000 work in more than 75 countries—tackling hundreds of projects each year to address complex social and scientific challenges on behalf of governments, businesses, foundations, universities, and other clients and partners. Separate business operations—including RTI Health Solutions and Syntegrity—serve commercial clients across a wide range of industries around the world.

Google Virtual Site Visit

Wednesday, January 20, 2021, 3:00 - 4:30pm ET
Eligibility: Current Harvard College students

Please join us as we explore what it is like to work at Google. Google's mission, to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful, is at the foundation of every Googler's work. Hear from Harvard alumni Googlers who are working in engineering and technical roles at Google. They will share about their work, give advice for students, and discuss Google's unique company culture. Participants will also hear from the recruitment team about various internships and full-time opportunities for undergraduates to explore now or in the future.

Harvard Kennedy School Virtual Site Visit

Thursday, January 21, 2021, 1:00 - 2:30pm ET
Eligibility: Current students of Harvard College and Extension School (admitted degree candidates)

Join this visit to discover the exciting opportunities available at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) to pursue your commitment to improving the lives of others and making valuable contributions to the world. HKS offers degree programs in Public Policy and Public Administration in addition to a wide range of other academic and professional opportunities. HKS students/alumni who earned their undergraduate degree from Harvard College will also join to offer their perspective.

The National Basketball Association (NBA)

Thursday, January 21, 2021, 2:00 - 3:30pm ET
Eligibility: Current students of Harvard College, GSAS, and Extension School (admitted degree candidates)

Join us for a virtual site visit with the National Basketball Association. Harvard alumni working in marketing and other areas will share their experiences and advice for students considering a career in sports.

PepsiCo Virtual Site Visit

Friday, January 22, 2021, 1:00 - 2:30pm ET
Eligibility: Current Harvard College students

Are you interested in marketing, brand management or consumer products? Do you also want to learn more about how artists are selected for the Super Bowl Halftime show? Or how "Uncle Drew" was produced? Come (virtually) visit PepsiCo this January! Hear from alumni and top professionals about their experiences working with $1B brands. Learn about PepsiCo’s culture and find out more about how to apply to PepsiCo's internship. This is a great opportunity to learn about one of the world's leading food and beverage companies from the people who lead PepsiCo's brands every day!

TBA in October. Programs will include:

Navigating Summer Funding

Designing Your Career

Arts & Museums January Internships Showcase

​​​​​​​Leveraging Your PhD: Why Employers Value Your Skills

Are you looking to build skills and experience at an arts organization? Interested in a transformative, project-based three week experience? Apply for an OCS ARTS & MUSEUMS JANUARY VIRTUAL INTERNSHIP!

Internship opportunities are available at ten cultural organizations and will take place from January 3-21, 2022. Deadline and list of opportunities will be available in September 2021. Full-time interns receive a $750 stipend.

This OCS program places students in arts organizations and museums for a three-week, full-time, project-based internship over the January break with, in some cases, the opportunity to continue into the spring semester (5-8 hours per week). All interns receive a stipend through the Office of Career Services. Past interns have worked at the following arts organizations: A.R.T., Art Institute of Chicago, Boston Casting, Boston Center for the Arts, Boston Children’s Museum, Handel & Haydn Society, Harvard Forest’s Fisher Museum, Harvard Museums of Science and Culture, Heart Mountain Interpretive Center in Wyoming, Boston Baroque, and Jose Mateo Ballet Theater.

See the current list of January Arts & Museums Internships:

JANUARY IS “FLASH MENTORING” MONTH

Hundreds of Harvard alumni representing a variety of fields and professions have signed up on the Firsthand Advisers platform to connect with you. January is a great time to get advice on different career pathways, strengthen your informational interviewing skills, and expand your network.

What it is:  

A platform that connects you with Harvard alumni from around the world for a:

• Career conversation,
• Resume review, or
• Mock interview.

What to do:

Search alumni profiles and sign up for informal conversations with alumni that interest you.

How to do it:

Go to the Firsthand platform, click the “Get Advice” button, and set up a password. Then use the platform to search, message, and schedule a meeting time with an alum.

What to say:

Check out the OCS tips and questions to prepare and to get the most out of your “Flash Mentoring” discussion. Questions might include:

• What was your first job after you left Harvard?
• How did you spend your summers while you were an undergraduate?
• What skills did you learn at Harvard that have helped you throughout your career?
• What are your favorite parts of your job? What do you find most challenging?
• What changes have you seen in your industry given the COVID pandemic?
• Based on my skills, education, and experience, what other career paths do you suggest I explore?
• Who else would you recommend I speak with?

Explore options, get connected, and jump start your career during Flash Mentoring Month!