An okay place to be a life sciences graduate student - Graduate Student Researcher UCLA Employee Review

3.0
22 June 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Top-notch research going on, if you are looking to be a top-notch researcher it's one of the best places in southern california. There is a new push on campus to help STEM graduate students with alternative career choices, but help is fairly thin on career planning front (unless of course you want to be a top-notch researcher).

Cons

Graduate student culture is nonexistent. Performing work for research mentor is more important than personal education.

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5.0
5 July 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great pay and good work

Cons

No cons really. well compensated

1.0
5 July 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

None that I can think of

Cons

A colleague was laid off today. She was with UCLA for 10+ years. She got a meeting invite with 10 minutes notice. Her Director read out a cold statement that her position was eliminated and handed her over to the HR. Her manager came running to her cubicle and told her she had 2 minutes to pack up and leave. He insisted that he accompanied her to her car. Many other colleagues had similar or worse experiences. All Managers and Directors and above saved their jobs. And they sacrificed many individual contributors.

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