Harvard Business School

"There are obviously lots of different positions at HBS, some more women-friendly than others. That said, tenure track professorships are extremely challenging. "

"In development, which is has way more women than men, people are really nice but you want to make sure to not get too far into the fray because there's definitely a mean-girl current. As long as you're nice to everyone and don't get too involved, you'll be fine."

"Benefits are overall solid, but there's little flexibility with work arrangements."

"In fundraising and development, it's a heavily female organization. I don't think about equality between men and women because it's so well balanced, if not favoring women a little. The maternity leave benefits are the best of anywhere I've ever worked and the University setting is a non-competitive atmosphere where work ends around 5pm. However, the flexibility in work schedule is lacking, at least in some departments, and the variable nature of it all seems unfair. I wish there were more standard policies for flexible work."

"Pretty much one of the greatest jobs ever for those who have young kids and need flexibility. Maximum 5 year stint, though high-quality researchers can use the HBS network to get another job either within the university or with a closely-affiliated organization. Your professor is critical - try to work with him or her beforehand or, at the least, get a sense of their personality and how they treated prior researchers. The professors actually tend to be pretty honest about what working style works best for them. Overall, great benefits, incredibly flexible hours, intellectually challenging work."