Please note, the On-Campus Interview Program (OCI) requires registration and is for Harvard College and GSAS students and alumni ONLY: (See Eligibility Requirements)
What is OCI?
OCI streamlines the application and first round interview process for both full-time and internship opportunities with approximately 200 employer participants each year. The majority of on-campus interviews are held in our interview facility at
1033 Mass Ave, 5th Floor. However, the process is highly competitive and used by only certain types of companies.
The program is one tool among many that students should utilize in their search for jobs and internships.
Some students mistakenly think of OCI as the “easy” way to find a job or internship. While many aspects of the program make the application and interview processes more convenient, it is important to realize that OCI is often stressful with multiple quick deadlines and demanding interview schedules. Not all students are successful using OCI, as you can see from the By the Numbers statistics below.
Why is there so much Finance and Consulting?
Every year, students ask this question. Over 25 different industries were represented in last year’s On-Campus Interview Program, including popular opportunities at Abercrombie & Fitch, Facebook, Pepsi and Walt Disney. That being said, many types of companies and organizations do not hire through an elaborate process such as this. Formal programs are very time consuming and expensive for employers. Highly sought after firms in areas such as sports, media, electronic gaming, non-profits and entertainment are overloaded with applications and have no need to spend resources traveling to college campuses in search of additional candidates. Other types of companies such as start-ups, venture capital, journalism positions and biotech firms are looking for applicants to show initiative by finding them. In addition, many companies prefer to make “just in time” hiring decisions closer to the employment start date and cannot predict hiring needs in advance.
If you do not see an employer, organization, or industry of interest to you interviewing on campus, they may still be interested in hiring you! Refer to the
Explore Careers Section of the OCS website and use OCS Drop-In Hours, Monday through Friday 1 – 4pm, to let OCS help you develop an individualized job search plan.
Last Year (2010-2011) By the Numbers
Although students often report that it feels like “everyone” is using OCI to find their job or internship, that is not statistically the case. Many students apply to research opportunities,
fellowships, and/or
graduate programs with help from their professors, houses, and OCS. Many students find their full-time job or summer internship through a Crimson Careers “Non-OCI” posting, an
OCS panel or event, or through developing their
professional network. Below, see last year's OCI Program “by the numbers.” You may also want to review previous
Senior Surveys and
Summer Surveys to get a larger perspective on your classmate’s activities.
|
|
FULL-TIME |
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS |
| |
|
Seniors Only |
Juniors |
Sophomores |
Freshman |
| # in class |
: |
1,632 |
1,631 |
1,708 |
1,670 |
| # (and % of class) active OCI participants |
: |
639 (39%) |
542 (33%) |
187 (11%) |
32 (2%) |
| # of OCI applications |
: |
11,620 |
10,373 |
1,196 |
111 |
| Average # of OCI applications |
: |
18 / student |
19 / student |
6 / student |
3 /student |
| # of OCI Interviews |
: |
3,271 |
2,352 |
220 |
33 |
| Average # of OCI interviews |
: |
6 / student |
5 / student |
2 / student |
2 / student |
| # (and % of applicants) who accepted offers through OCI |
: |
277 (43%) |
242 (45%) |
46 (25%) |
5 (16%) |
| % of class who accepted an offer through OCI |
: |
17% |
15% |
3% |
< 1% |
