Frequently Asked Questions
What is One Day’s Work?
One Day’s Work is Harvard Law School’s Student Funded Fellowship program. The concept is simple. Students entering the private sector after their second year of law school donate one day’s worth of their summer salary. The money collected will then go to a member of their class entering the public sector upon graduation.
Why should I donate?
Do the math. Your contribution of one day’s summer pay can help fund a fellow student’s employment for an entire year! The Harvard Law School community supports its own. Now, having secured a private sector summer job, you have the opportunity to give back to your community and support your fellow students.
Where do I send my check and/or completed form?
Checks should be made payable to “Harvard Law School.”
Please include “One Day’s Work” in the memo line.
Please mail or hand-deliver checks to:
Dean of Student’s Office (617-496-2436)
Attn: Meg DeMarco
1563 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
You can also pay by credit card. Just complete this form.
Aren’t there already numerous public interest fellowships available for students planning on careers in the public sector?
While there are some public interest fellowships available, the demand for such fellowships far outstrips their supply. There are incredibly talented students willing to work in the public sector for very little money. However, these highly qualified students are nevertheless having a difficult time finding a job because the economy has devastated entry-level hiring in non-profits, government and the like. Thus, this fellowship fulfills a need felt by both Harvard Law School graduates and the public sector organizations themselves.
Will the money awarded supplement income that the recipient is already receiving from a public interest organization or government office?
No. The fellowship money will provide a one-year salary for graduating students working in public sector positions. The fellowship is not meant to equalize the recipient’s income with that of a graduate entering the private sector. As Professor Rubenstein, a former recipient of such a student-funded fellowship, explains:
“When I graduated from HLS in 1986, I wanted to work on HIV-related legal issues because my friends were dying and I assumed I would too. I pleaded with the ACLU and other groups to hire me, but no money was available. My own HLS classmates came to the rescue. We had a program then called the 1% solution. Classmates contributed 1% of their income into a pool and the money was used to provide fellowships to those of us in the class pursuing public interests jobs. I secured one of these coveted Harvard Fellowships in Public Interest Law, called the ACLU back and told them I could pay my own way, and I soon joined their national legal staff and helped launch their AIDS Project. Without my classmates’ funding support, I would not have been able to undertake this public interest work at that critical moment.”
How is the fellowship awarded?
The selection process will be administered by the Office of Public Interest Advising. Selection of the recipient will be conducted by a Selection Committee appointed by Dean Minow. This Committee will include staff, deans and perhaps alumni. Awards will be made based on the potential for an outstanding career in public service. Factors to be considered include the applicants’ summer jobs, clinical and externship placements, course selection and research projects that demonstrate an interest in and the skills to perform the proposed work.
When will the fellowship be awarded?
The fellowship will be awarded in the spring of 2013, to a student in the Class of 2013 entering the public sector upon graduation.
What if I can’t donate a full day’s pay?
While students are encouraged to donate one day’s worth of their summer salary, any donation is greatly appreciated and will still help One Day’s Work reach its goal of funding students entering the public sector upon graduation.
Are my contributions tax deductible?
Yes! After your donation is received, the Dean of Students Office will send you a thank you letter acknowledging your contribution. That letter can be used as documentation of your charitable contribution for tax purposes.
What if I don’t have the money in my bank account to pay now?
One Day’s Work understands that, while you are fortunate to have already secured a job for this summer, you have yet to begin receiving your paychecks. Please feel free to post-date your check, preferably sometime on or before September 1st. One Day’s Work will contact you at that time, before charging your card, to reconfirm the donation.
When is my money due?
Students can donate today, tomorrow, or any time that is convenient for them!
What if I don’t want to provide my credit card information?
All personal information provided by donating students is kept strictly confidential, under lock and key in the Alumni Office. Students can also donate via check or cash—whatever means is most convenient for you!
What if I’m not going into the private sector but I still want to help?
Convince two friends entering the private sector that they should donate in your stead! Word of mouth advertising and shameless campaigning on behalf of One Day’s Work are greatly appreciated.
How does the fellowship application process work?
Students interested in the One Day’s Work fellowship must (1) find a sponsoring organization, (2) work with the organization to develop a job description and fellowship proposal, with the understanding that the student most likely will not be able to work at that organization if fellowship funding is not received, and (3) obtain a letter of support from the sponsoring organization. After the proposal and application package is approved by the organization, students will submit their application to the One Day’s Work selection committee for consideration.
This is the way the Skadden and Equal Justice Works fellowships work as well. Because this process is well-established in the public interest world, organizations understand their role in helping students they wish to have work for them in this way.
Who do I contact if I need more information?
Please email onedayswork@gmail.com for more information about One Day’s Work.
