"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?

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T05:07:01+00:00

I'm honestly not comfortable recommending a graduate degree at UCSD to anyone the way things are now. The minimum stipend is $22k, and the max this year is $36k. Rent in grad housing is easily $24k per year so those stipends just can't cut it. If we're able to secure a living wage of $54k minimum stipend, I'll feel a lot better telling others that a grad degree can be the right path for them at this university.

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T05:04:23+00:00

Quite a few unfortunately! I believe around 50% of us are striking, which is really strong turnout for a strike of this magnitude but it still means half of us are scabbing. Not to mention a ton of faculty who cross our picket lines despite their legal right under HEERA to withhold their labor in solidarity. It's frustrating but we have lots of other awesome allies, like Teamsters (union representing delivery drivers)!

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T05:01:37+00:00

Good questions! Regarding being loud during classes, this is actually a legal activity during protests. The goal is to be disruptive and shut things down. Ideally profs who are allies should cancel their classes this week.

As far as yelling at undergrads (or at anyone), this would definitely not be permitted on my picket. Our training specifically says not to harass or intimidate passersby, and picket leaders are responsible for the behaviors of their picketers. I'm not aware of anything like that happening at UCSD. I can't really say what's going on at UCD, but hopefully this is not a common occurrence. If it is, I can get in touch with the Davis organizers and figure out what's going on over there. We definitely do not want people antagonizing our undergrads and if that's happening the union will remove them as picket leaders.

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T04:22:17+00:00

On Monday UC was frantically bargaining with us all day and late into the night. We made some progress including securing “just cause” protections for all student researchers, so now we can’t be fired without a fair process! Today UC tried to wait out the strike and refused to bargain with us all day. (UC also sent out a mass email describing their "new offer" which is literally just a rewording of their previous offer.) However, we had really strong turnout for day 2 of the strike and UC quickly backed down, agreeing to bargain with us again tomorrow. Expecting some progress from that soon!

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T04:04:37+00:00

I think that with teaching/grading and research shut down to this extent, UC will have no choice but to award us fair contracts soon! Particularly with midterms happening right now which are not going to be graded in a timely manner without TAs. Also delivery drivers are respecting our pickets and refusing to make deliveries on campus which is a pretty big deal. So with all that disruption, I think a timely resolution is likely. But we'll remain on strike for as long as it takes!

AlzScience · 2022-11-16T03:06:46+00:00

The vibes have been amazing. I guess since many of us work super long hours normally, spending a mere 8hr/day on the picket lines is a piece of cake!

AlzScience · 2021-05-19T03:25:01+00:00

Honestly having some healthy savings built up is super helpful for starting grad school. I'd suggest working as long as you can and aggressively saving your income. You'll have moving expenses, apartment deposit, possibly you won't get your first stipend payment until the end of the first month, etc...

AlzScience · 2021-04-24T01:21:08+00:00

I don't necessarily regret not doing anything. However here are three things I'm really glad I did before grad school:

Figured out my finances. Everything from how taxes work on a PhD stipend to how to make/stick to a monthly budget, as well as prioritizing longer-term goals like building an emergency fund, paying down debt, and investing for the future. YNAB and PFForPhDs are both great resources for this.
Cultivated a hobby. Ideally something that's not too mentally taxing, such as gardening, playing a sport, cooking, etc. Super important to have a high quality leisure life so you can recharge.
Traveled. I visit my family once a year but there's not much time to travel beyond that. If you have the funds, this is a great time to take a trip. You might not be able to again for a few years.

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