"Students that apply to work-study late or that are not eligible are definitely concerned," she says.

The Harvard Advantage

Homer also cites the advantage that Harvard students have over other undergraduates, largely because of the reputation of the College and the proven track record of its students.

"Our students have it better than most," she says. "It's known that Harvard students make better employees."

Kain at OCS concurs that Harvard undergraduates often begin a step ahead of students at other schools.

"We're lucky in one sense. The reputation of the College and the students here as responsible and reliable is helpful, but unfortunately, that's not the only factor in finding a summer job," she says.

But Harvard students are now feeling the just-before-summer crunch in the rush to find a job before June rolls around.

Aida Bekele '94 says that she began filling out applications before Christmas, but at present has no summer employment.

"It's been a real effort. Even looking for possibilities is hard," she says. "You can always work in a restaurant, but it's hard to find a job where you can make money and learn something."

Although the pressures of finding a job weigh heavily on some students, other have adopted a more relaxed attitude.

Some undergrads, like Emily L. Drugge '93 for one, say they try to disregard the emphasis often placed on summer employment as a stepping stone to a high-powered and fast-moving career.

"I should be more panicked about it, but I haven't really been," Drugge says. "But it's definitely harder this summer, especially for finding paying summer jobs."

The Winthrop House resident from Darien, Conn. says she had hoped to work at the New York Shakespeare Festival where, she noted, she would receive less than minimum wage. Working a second summer as a camp counselor is her back-up plan.

"The big problem is that people who go away have to find apartments and their jobs have to pay for it," Drugge says. "It's also difficult because it seems that people get going earlier and earlier looking for jobs."

Still, some undergraduates who have found jobs say they haven't noticed the panic that has beseiged some of their classmates. Lawrence C.C. Cheung '94 will be a summer employee of New Jersey PIRG, a group that campaigns to save the environment. He will be working full-time studying toxic waste issues.