Though Akazhanov was unsuccessful in the summer recruitment process as a junior, he says he did enough research to feel well-prepared to go through recruiting this year, and he succeeded in finding a job.

Gilmore says part of the appeal of jobs that hire through a recruiting process is that the system offers students an accessible, already-established framework to follow in order to achieve employment­—a framework that is largely absent in other fields.

“It is a very clear path to a goal that in some ways allows people to skirt some of the more proactive” elements of the career search process, Gilmore says.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BANK

A 2003 survey by Sarah Deighton, who interned with OCS while a student at the Graduate School of Education, showed that the number one career choice among students in all years—who were asked to “indicate the top three fields you are most interested in working for after you graduate”—was working with nonprofit organizations.

Compared to the 13.3 percent of students surveyed who chose nonprofit work, 11.8 percent said they were interested in consulting and 6.3 percent in investment banking.

Gilmore says the number of students who actually inquire at OCS about nonprofit careers does not match the high demand suggested by the survey data.

But she suggests that a number of students may take jobs in business initially to develop skills for nonprofit work later in their careers. She also suggests that students may see work with nonprofit organizations as less fit for someone with a Harvard degree.

“The expectations surrounding a Harvard degree weigh heavily,” Gilmore says. “They have a very strong sense...that they must do something prestigious and high-paying in order for their work to be worthy of their degree.”

But 9 percent of students in the senior class apply to the Teach for America program, according to Orin Gutlerner, the director of the Undergraduate Teacher Education Program.

And resources exist for students who seek jobs in fields other than business, like the Center for Public Interest Careers. Students who are interested in such careers, however, say they have not found adequate career resources at OCS.

Cheng, who interned with an independent film company through Harvardwood’s summer program after her freshman year and will intern with another company through Harvardwood this summer, says that OCS counselors directed her to an alumni database and to a Monstertrak listing of careers when she went to OCS during her freshman year.

“It was useful once,” Cheng says. “But as far as actual advice given to me during those appointments, it was not really helpful.”

‘MAGIC WANDS’ NOT INCLUDED

OCS counselors note that some student frustration with OCS may stem from the fact that students expect OCS to show them the direct path to a given career.