Getting Started at FAS

Welcome to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences!

You have probably already heard that the Faculty of Arts and Sciences is a great place to work. As you get more comfortable with our campus and your job, we urge you to explore the world of opportunities available to you here and learn for yourself what makes this working environment special.

Getting Started at FAS is designed to help new staff get to know the community and culture of FAS so that they can better feel connected to their new work environment. New FAS employees will also have a chance to connect with other new staff members as well as HR Consultants and FAS senior leaders at welcome receptions.

For more information about Getting Started at FAS, please contact hr_programs@fas.harvard.edu.

Getting Started at FAS Orientation Information

Getting Started Self-Paced Course

Getting Started at FAS is now available to newly hired FAS staff on the Harvard Training Portal. The course is designed for new staff to take at their earliest convenience and may be paused/restarted at any time. After this course, you will be able to:

  • understand how FAS fits into Harvard as a whole
  • differentiate the different divisions/units that make up FAS
  • identify key policies at FAS
  • evaluate different professional and networking opportunities
  • recognize who to go to when you have questions or need support.

The course contains audio and close captioning, and will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Additional materials, including an FAS organizational chart and a list of relevant acronyms/terms at Harvard and FAS, are also available on the course page.

Please note: access to the training portal requires an Harvard Key. You will need your eight-digit HUID to set up your Harvard Key. Information about creating and accessing your Harvard Key is available from HUIT.

Please contact hr_programs@fas.harvard.edu with any questions.

Getting Started Welcome Receptions

In addition to our Getting Started at FAS course, FAS HR hosts quarterly welcome receptions for new hires at FAS. New staff will have the opportunity to network with colleagues, HR Consultants, and FAS senior leadership in an informal interactive setting. For the 2023/2024 academic year, we will be hosting all Welcome Receptions on the following date(s): 

  • 06/06/2024

FAS HR will reach out directly to new hires, their managers, and FAS senior leaders with dates and Zoom information. We encourage attendees to turn on their Zoom webcams to foster a sense of community. Please email hr_programs@fas.harvard.edu if you have any questions.

Harvard Central Administration New Employee Orientation

Looking to learn about Harvard's benefits and services?

Please be sure to attend the Harvard-wide New Employee Orientation during your first few weeks at the FAS, where you will learn about Harvard's structure and culture as well.