Going into debt for graduate school is for a good cause – right?  The student loans are worth the reward in the end - correct?  This article deals with the reality that sometimes enrolling in graduate school does not make the best financial sense.  Take a look and make sure that you are prepared to make the plunge.  For me, grad school was one of the best decisions I ever made.  It was also one of the cheapest: PhD programs in the sciences often pay your tuition.

Sometimes Grad
School Can Be a Big Financial Mistake by Aleksandra Todorovahttp://finance.comcast.net/personalfinance/view.html?x=debt/advice/gradschool&cvqh=finance_gradschool

As you know (or have easily discovered),  I have a passion for increasing the diversity of people in the sciences.  Here is a recent article from Nature Medicine describing the importance of diversity in the sciences, and some ideas of how to go about developing it.

http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v13/n5/full/nm0507-513.html

“If American science is to meet the needs of all of its citizens, its scientists must reflect the diversity of the country’s population.”

Hello, we’ve added RSS Feeds to two cool blogs, Brazen Careerist and Employee Evolution.  These blogs tackle the corporate arena from a woman’s perspective, and from a 20 something’s perspective.  Read up!

I saw this link on an email I received for a diversity event.  I think that the tests are really interesting and I definitely learned about my own biases!  If you’re a big nerd like me you’ll think that taking the tests are fun too.  I guess the next step is that now that I am more aware of my biases, I must consciously work to overcome them and treat people equally in spite of them.  Do you harbor biases that you’re unaware of?  Take the free exam! ( https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/)

Admit it, we all still jam to the Destiny’s Child song about these ladies buying their own car, shoes and jewelry, proudly stating that “I depend on me.”  In addition to singing about it, we sisters need to be about it.  To get your finances in order, check out the book Personal Finance for Dummies by Eric Tyson.  Or, from the Queen of Money Management herself, flip through The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke by Suzy Orman.  A great way to start saving pennies is to borrow these books from your local library!

Our new issue is out!  Visit www.moxymagazine.com today!  Visit Moxy everyday to read the daily RSS feeds for career, finance, relationships, fashion and lifestyle.

Business Cards 

Every one can have a business card quite easily. It makes you easy to remember, get in touch with and can even network itself, when you are not there to self-represent.  Many home software programs come with a business card template, or you can order business cards for free at www.vistaprint.com. A small business card case also adds a polished touch and makes a great gift. 

When someone hands you their card, take a moment to read it. If there are a several people that you are meeting at once, keep all of their business cards out and refer to them like name cards, so that by the end of the conversation you’ll have their names down pat.  

Finally, after you part ways, make a note of what the person was like: personality, looks, or job – anything to help you remember them – on the back of the card.

I am a young minority female and have received a PhD in the sciences.  I am now a Realtor.  While I love what I do, I struggle with the decision that I have made, as I am a strong proponent of increasing diversity in the sciences.  I felt that I served as a representative (whether I wanted to or not, hollywood stars) and I felt that my being there might make someone else’s journey through school and on to a scientific profession that much easier.  I am encouraged when I see programs such as this at UMBC, where professors understand that getting through college and grad school has just as much as a social component as an academic one.  They are not only willing to recognize the isolation that many underrepresented minorities in the sciences feel, they are willing to do something about it.  Take a look, from the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/13/science/13conv.html?ex=1174449600&en=d4a6ab386a0737d6&ei=5070&emc=eta1

March 13, 2007

A Conversation With Michael F. Summers

Goal No. 1: Good Science. Goal No. 1: Diversity.

Well, we finally got the latest Moxy issue out!  It’s another good issue, with articles about buying a car, adult acne, and hanging out with co-workers after hours.

 We love putting together the magazine!  We wish it were our day jobs.  But since we’ve got to pay the bills, we’ve decided to publish every other month.  We can improve on content and layout if we’ve got a little more time.  Please continue with your support!  Thanks!  And if you ever want to write an article please let us know.

I got this email, and a family member used it with success:

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don’t have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem.  When you need to  use the 411 information option, simply dial 800-FREE-411 or  800-373-3411 without  incurring any charge at all.

You can also call internationally at domestic long distance rates via Futurephone, but I have to dig that number out of my email archive abyss.

Happy Calling!