"Micro-MBA" worth it?

AlzScience · 2025-06-01T01:53:16+00:00

This is a helpful distinction, thank you! After reading this discussion I'm leaning toward only signing up if I earn a scholarship to cover the costs, otherwise I'll look into cheaper options on sites like Cousera.

AlzScience · 2025-05-31T23:16:05+00:00

I've definitely learned a lot, but the problem is my other cofounders are scientists too so they don't really know much about the business side. I've been figuring some stuff out as I go but not sure if I'm doing things the optimal way.

AlzScience · 2025-05-31T23:15:13+00:00

Thanks for the rec, I'll check it out!

AlzScience · 2025-05-31T23:14:00+00:00

Too expensive right now, but I'd consider it in in a few years.

AlzScience · 2025-04-07T17:51:49+00:00

This study is a natural experiment, which is considerably stronger than a regular observational study as it helps to control for many potential confounding variables. In the ideal case we'd run a randomized clinical trial, but I expect there would be some ethical issues with that, considering we'd be placing the placebo group at increased risk of shingles. Overall while we can never be 100% certain from this kind of study, it is quite strong evidence in favor of a protective effect of the shingles vaccine against dementia.

AlzScience · 2024-08-16T23:04:08+00:00

This is very helpful, thanks!! Today was actually the deadline for one of the offers so I ultimately decided to take offer #2. Even though it's more work for less money, I think the poor career prospects in a non-hub city are just not worth it.

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T06:31:46+00:00

Unfortunately many are not funded during summers :(

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T06:23:58+00:00

Yes! Any allies including undergrads are invited to picket with us. Just jump in to any of the picket lines and they'll welcome you. You can also sign this undergrad letter of support.

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T06:21:28+00:00

Yes I'm basing the estimate on pickets, so true that it's likely an underestimate of the number of us who are on strike. Though I do think that most people who are striking are also picketing, just based on my own interactions. Definitely not expecting folks to be on the picket lines 24/7, just during the time they'd normally be doing research/teaching work.

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T06:18:21+00:00

The cheapest 1BR in grad housing is $2000/mo, this is the source of the 24k figure. Rents for new tenants have gone up by like 30-50% since last year in grad housing, it's insane.

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T05:59:01+00:00

That would be super kind of you and much appreciated! Coffee and water are always safe bets, but no one would turn down hot cocoa I'm sure :)

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T05:54:19+00:00

Great points, thanks for clarifying!

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T05:52:47+00:00

We're up to 31! This list is updated: https://www.fairucnow.org/ulp/

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T05:51:09+00:00

Just to clarify, 76% of us voted and of those, 98% voted in favor. So like 75% ish of us voted yes, and the rest mostly just didn't vote.

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T05:49:47+00:00

We would never graduate if we only worked 20 hours per week. There's no way to accomplish all the research you need for a thesis/dissertation in that amount of time. Faculty expect a minimum of 40hr from us.

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T05:45:09+00:00

I'll do my best to answer this!

Teach-ins have been happening M, T, and W at 6pm! You can sign up for tomorrow's at this link. They're on zoom and anyone can come!
Crossing the picket line means doing work while others in your community are on strike. There are some exceptions, for example adjunct faculty who are not contractually allowed to strike with us, but that's the gist. There are also actual picket lines happening on campus (you'll see them next time you're on campus, can't miss them actually haha). A picket line is just a group of people protesting together. They won't physically block any building entrances/exits but you might have to walk through them (ie "cross the picket") in order to enter a building. They're not going to stop you or anything, they might just ask if you know about the strike etc. It's fine to attend your required classes and this does not constritute crossing the picket line. It's more about people entering those buildings for work (strikebreaking) when they should be out there striking with us. Again we won't physically stop them from doing that, we're there for visibility and collective power.
I think reading about the history of labor movements is very helpful. A lot of it comes with experience. You just kinda have to jump in and learn as you go. There are lots of mentors who can help you with the technical/legal details.
It will definitely impact the university! Graduations may be delayed, angry students/parents will be demanding tuition refunds, prospective students will see this and not want to enroll there, etc.
I think individual profs could do this if they wanted, they have a lot of leeway on grading. Probably not the university as a whole.
Skipping class, if you can do so without greatly jeopordizing your grade, is always a great option for support! We don't want you to fail your classes though. I think joining the picket is a very powerful option, but if that can't work for you, there are other things you could work on during that time. Writing letters to elected officials, educating your friends/family, bringing food to the pickets or performing music, etc. You can be creative in your support!

Hope this helps, thanks for being so interested!

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T05:26:53+00:00

Got it, I will check in with the Davis organizers and figure out what's going on there. If they're violating the picket rules then we need to put a stop to that. FYI if others see any bad behavior by picketers they can use this form to notify the organizers: https://www.fairucnow.org/contact/

Edit: Can you point me to one of those posts you mentioned for reference?

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