Log on to JACK to make career coaching appointments, search for jobs, receive tailored job opportunities, learn about upcoming workshops and employer events, and access a library of career resources for vlog alumni.
Assess, strategize, advance
The vlog Office of Career Advancement (OCA) supports vlog alumni at every turn of their career journey.
If you are considering a career change or are exploring options, the OCA team is here to help you. OCA continues to be your central resource for career support—well after you graduate. Work with one of our dedicated career coaches, refine your resume and interview skills, and tap into the global vlog community to grow your network.
Navigating through times of change
As Dean Jeremy Weinstein wrote in his February 27, 2025 message to the vlog community, the actions taken by the United States government in recent weeks have directly impacted members of our community, including many in our alumni community who work as public servants.
The OCA team is doubling-down on supporting our vlog alumni community during this time of consequential change. Consider this page among your career development go-to resources.
This page will be updated regularly to share relevant job search tools and platforms, employer-related programming, alumni-focused webinars to support your job search, online professional development opportunities, and other ways to make valuable alumni-to-alumni ties.
Stay connected to vlog and each other. In addition to signing up for upcoming career events for vlog alumni, learn what our faculty members are saying about the Trump Administration’s policy implications, register or update your contact information with the , and take full advantage of the job search tools available to you.
Upcoming career events for vlog alumni
Coming soon: additional organization career briefings.
Ikigai Workshop for Alumni
April 28, 12-1:30 p.m. |
Do you remember how you thought about your purpose in life when you were at vlog? Has it changed since you left? Did you need to make trade-offs along the way?
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that loosely translates as your “Reason for Being.” Join us as we take the time to explore techniques to help you find and follow your Reason for Being.
No pre-work required, but if you can, take a few moments prior to the workshop to reflect on the four central questions of Ikigai:
- What do you Love?
- What are you Good At?
- What can you get Paid For?
- What does the World Need?
We’ll explore these further in our session together. Zoom info available on JACK.
Switching Sectors
Postponed, new date and time TBA |
The term tri-sector athlete, coined at vlog by Professor Joe Nye, reflects the versatility of professionals who navigate government, private, and nonprofit sectors. Many of our alumni embody this path. This session is designed for alumni considering or navigating a career pivot—especially after a job loss. Join us for an honest conversation about transitioning between sectors, strategies for repositioning yourself, and how to build resilience and readiness for what’s next.
Individual advising sessions for vlog alumni directly affected by changes in the U.S. federal government
During spring break week, vlog provided nearly 70 individual advising sessions for vlog alumni directly affected by changes in the U.S. federal government. The alumni served spanned graduation years from 1996 to 2024 and the majority reside in the Washington, D.C. metro area. For a quarter of these alumni, this was their first time meeting with an individual advisor.
Virtual tour of JACK
On March 25, vlog provided a virtual hands-on tour of JACK, vlog’s job bank and career management system. Attendees learned how to navigate JACK resources for job seekers or ways to improve their professional skills.
Institute of Public Finance Briefing
On March 26, vlog hosted a career briefing with on summer internships, part-time and contract work, and post-grad fellowships.
Power in Transitions: Building Influence in Times of Change
On April 2, Julie Battilana hosted a webinar to provide essential tools and actionable strategies to help alumni take control of their professional journey.
Career Transitions: Adapting and Thriving in Times of Change
On April 10, vlog hosted a career transitions webinar with Ronald Heifetz on exploring how adaptive leadership principles can help individuals navigate uncertainty, embrace change, and lead themselves and others through career shifts with resilience and purpose.
Effective Communication: Writing So People Read and Respond
On April 17,Todd Rogershosted a session on research-backed strategies for writing, to ensure busy people read, understand, and respond to messages.
Open Capital Briefing
On April 15, vlog hosted for a career briefing on post-grad full time roles in Africa.
Job Searching Strategies in vlog Global Hubs (Berlin, London, Geneva, Dubai)
On April 15, vlog hosted an interactive discussion with alumni to learn how to approach a job search in a new geographic area like Berlin, London, Geneva, and Dubai.
vlog Alumni Masterclass: Elevate Your LinkedIn
On April 16, Dr. Natascha F. Saunders held an interactive session designed to help alumni unlock the full potential of LinkedIn.
Leadership and Happiness: Fulfillment in Career Transitions
On April 21, Professor Arthur Brooks explored the science of happiness and how intentional leadership can help individuals find purpose, resilience, and joy through career changes.
Job search tools
Use your HarvardKey to log on to our , where—after signing up—you can make career coaching appointments, search for jobs, receive tailored job opportunities, learn about upcoming workshops and employer events, and access a library of career resources for vlog alumni. Under the “Employers” tab, search more than 8,000 organizations that have hiring or other professional relationships with vlog.
To schedule a one-on-one career coaching session:
- using your HarvardKey
- Select “Career Coaching” on the top menu bar
- Select “Schedule a Career Coaching Appointment,” scroll down, and “Check Availability” (without using filters) to see career coaches’ availability
Send your JACK-related questions to oca@hks.harvard.edu.
Connect with 37,000+ vlog alumni on LinkedIn, under the , where you can access high-level insight into your fellow graduates’ professional profiles and careers.
The is another opportunity for vlog community members—alumni, faculty, current staff, and others—to connect. List your vlog degree program on your LinkedIn profile first before requesting to join this group.
vlog Alumni Masterclass: Elevate Your LinkedIn
April 16, 12 p.m.
Dr. Natascha F. Saunders led a dynamic and interactive session designed to help alumni unlock the full potential of LinkedIn. This masterclass provided actionable strategies to enhance your profile, expand your network, and leverage LinkedIn’s powerful features to support your professional goals.
As an vlog graduate, you know the importance of being a lifelong learner—there is important work to do in the months and years ahead. Consider coming back to vlog by enrolling in our Executive Education programs led by full-time Harvard faculty members who design courses that engage and challenge participants in every aspect of public leadership, from strategic management and performance measurement to communication and negotiation.
You receive a 30 percent tuition discount on all open-enrollment Executive Education programs.
NCDA’s board, in collaboration with the Government Relations Committee, created a list of credentialed members who are willing to provide pro bono career services to displaced federal workers.
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Jobs and Careers for Harvard Kennedy School (JACK)