OCS Advisors Push Alternatives to I-Banking

Harvard juniors and seniors were told to look beyond lucrative fields like investment banking and consulting while considering their post-graduation options at the kick-off last night of Harvard’s annual Career Week.

Citing an uncertain economy, Office of Career Services (OCS) advisors instead encouraged students to look into options like public service, teaching and international programs.

“If they think it’s the economy of two years ago, when the jobs were jumping off the shelves, they’re wrong,” said Judy E. Murray, the recruiting director at OCS. “Those who are prepared, though, will do very well.”

Preparation and a willingness to look beyond prominent recruiters seemed to be the most frequent advice advisors had to offer at the event.

Bill Wright-Swadel, the director of OCS, said that although firms are not recruiting as many Harvard students, there are still many opportunities with smaller organizations which haven’t actively sought Harvard students in the past. He said public service is one of the rare fields with growing job opportunities despite the poor economy.

“In the past few years, the government’s been gearing up because they know there’s going to be a significant number of retirements,” Wright-Swadel said. “Also, any organizations that deal with national security and terrorism have seen a lot of growth. A lot more students are looking in that field.”

Despite such opportunities, though, students were told to keep other choices in mind.

“The idea is a discovery of the options open to them,” said C. Kelsey Kester ’04, the director of the Center for Enterprise, which co-sponsored the event.

Kester described the increased role of Phillips Brooks House in planning career week as evidence that trends in employment for seniors might be shifting in response to the economy.

“This year they helped us shape a more inclusive week,” said Kester. “There’s not just an emphasis on business.”

Career Week will continue with seminars and workshops until Thursday, when it culminates in an eight-hour career forum with more than 100 businesses in Gorden Track. Sponsors expect about 2,400 students to attend.

Career Week is jointly sponsored by Harvard Student Agencies, OCS and the Phillips Brooks House Association.