Readers weigh in on work-life balance

Share your thoughts and see what other readers are saying.

Making time for both work and family is always a challenge. But in surveys of graduates of Harvard and the University of Chicago, Claudia Goldin and Lawrence Katz find that financial-sector workers have the hardest time striking this balance—even compared to workers in fields with reputations for being demanding, such as medicine and law. Goldin says students should keep these findings in mind when weighing career choices. We're asking our readers:

Did you consider work-life balance in choosing your first job? How have these concerns affected your career choices since?

We hope you'll join the conversation by leaving a comment below. (This discussion is moderated, so your comment will not appear immediately.)

Most popular

Harvard Stabilizes Finances With Strong Endowment Returns, Philanthropy

Small operating surplus is dwarfed by reduced federal research support and endowment tax liabilities.

Treat AI Like a New Species, Harvard Scientist Says

Joshua Joseph discusses how society can manage and coexist alongside self-governing AI agents.

How Philosophy at Harvard Saved Itself

As humanities shrink across higher education, one department is flourishing. Is its success a fluke, or a roadmap?

Explore More From Current Issue

Delicate green cocoa pods and small white flowers on a tree branch, surrounded by soft greenery.

Harvard researchers investigate climate’s impact on cocoa crops, innovations in nasal vaccines, and links between pain and skull marrow.

Colorful illustration of a split-level house showing various activities in different rooms.

Can the College do more to prepare students for the real world?

Illustration of a phone, book, hourglass, weights, and a hand reaching for a device on a blue background.

Your thoughts on how to regulate the platforms—and stop using them so much