Since 2001, well over one thousand Harvard Extension admitted degree candidate students have participated in the Faculty Aide program.
The majority have worked as research assistants to support Harvard Extension and Harvard University faculty with their publications and other scholarship.
The program offers students the opportunity to develop the research skills they need to become future scholars. The experience serves as an excellent vehicle to crystallize academic interests.
The program is ideal for students who are considering going on to graduate school (master’s or PhD) because prior research can be a requirement (or highly desired) for many graduate school applications.
How it Works
1 Jobs sent via email
In the fall (late September) and spring semesters (late February), a small number of faculty aide jobs will be sent to currently registered, eligible admitted degree candidate or Premedical program students via email.
To be eligible to participate, you must live in the United States, be allowed to work in the United States (and for Harvard), and, if an ALB candidate, have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA or, if an ALM candidate or Premedical program student, have a 3.33 or higher cumulative GPA.
You also must be a student in good academic standing with no current or prior administrative warnings or disciplinary actions in your student record. Full-time Harvard employees are not eligible for the program.
An eligible student can only hold one Faculty Aide role per semester.
2 Apply for jobs
If you meet these basic qualifications as well as specific job requirements, you simply connect with the instructor directly to apply for the position.
In most cases, you send a resumé and/or schedule a phone or video interview with the instructor.
The instructor will let CARC know who they wish to hire.
3 Hired and start working
If hired, you’ll be paid $21 an hour for a maximum of 50 hours per semester (typically five to seven hours a week).
You may also, if you meet the above eligibility requirements, design your own faculty aide job by approaching a Harvard instructor whose research aligns with your academic interests. For more information and to see program rules and guidelines, please see this page or e-mail carc@extension.harvard.edu with questions.
This is an honors option program subject to the rules, regulations, and policies of the Harvard Extension School Career and Academic Resource Center.
Recent Research Projects
Most museums recognize the need to talk about climate change in their public programming. For many museums this is an educational and philosophical discussion. However, those museums on the water’s edge (ocean, river, lake, or even flood prone areas) realize that they need to take action now.
The faculty aide student worked on a study focused on the technology used in these cultural institutions to tell the urgent story of climate change and what individuals can do to make behavioral changes to assist in finding solutions.
The Faculty Aide also researched examples of museum programming that teaches about stewardship of the oceans and aquatic life.
Faculty:
Katherine Jones, Fall 2023
Faculty Feedback
“I wanted to send a sincere thank you. [My faculty aide student] was an INCREDIBLE resource. Because of her help, the documentary is already in the early production stages.
She was a creative partner and an excellent sounding board for ideas. She knows the science of climate very well, and her enthusiasm for the project has really helped keep me moving these past few months. I can’t thanks her and you enough. This support is invaluable”.
John Sutter
Contributor & Climate Correspondent, CNN