How to Use Slack
Valar will use Slack as a platform for a number of things, including; getting to know your classmates, signing up for group projects, engaging in discussion on course materials and concepts, and receiving notifications about course administrative topics.
You will receive a link to join your cohort’s Slack group along with additional orientation information the week prior to your cohort’s start date. There will be members of Valar staff available in the Slack rooms to help answer any questions that might come up as you go through the program!
Below is some additional information and details about the channels you can expect to see in your Valar Slack Workspace and some frequently asked questions:
The Basics
- Download Slack: Slack is available on desktop and mobile devices. Download here.
- Create your profile: Use your real first and last name to sign up.
- Introduce yourself: Introduce yourself in the #networking channel—what’s your name, story, LinkedIn profile?
Tips & Best Practices
- Check out this article about Good Slack Etiquette
- Pinned Posts: Important messages from Valar staff will be pinned to the relevant channels.
- Tag individuals using the @ symbol + name, which ensures your message gets to the right person. If you need help from the community manager, be sure to tag us!
- Keep things tidy by using threads. When you respond to someone's post, click the "reply" button so your message cascades underneath. This helps us keep Slack more organized.
- The Search bar is your friend. When you're looking for something, you can use keywords to search for content within Slack. You can even refine your search by adjusting the filters.
- Trying to access Slack from China? You'll need a VPN. Click here to learn more about how Valar can help provide you with access to one!
What is each channel for?
#_general is for program-wide communication and announcements. Major announcements, such as project prompts and course information will be posted to this channel.
#ask-an-academic / academic-office: Drop your questions about your current concentration throughout the week.
#capstone: Relevant documents, handbooks, sign-up sheets, and announcements related to the Capstone project will be posted here.
#careers: Post open positions at your companies and career-related discussions here!
#coursework (chat with classmates) is for questions about the courses and/or concentrations. Ask your fellow classmates!
#events is where our staff will post events and other engagement opportunities. You can also find upcoming events by clicking 'Events' in the Network tab on your dashboard!
#networking is where you should introduce yourself and make connections with your fellow classmates.
#projects: Relevant documents, project briefs, and announcements related to projects will be posted here.
#questions / non-academic questions / support is where you can ask questions specific our Slack community managers, such as clarifying due dates or project submission requirements.
#reading_room is where our staff will post course-relevant articles, videos, and reading recommendations - all carefully curated by our academic experts. You are also welcome to post articles that you found interesting as well!
#webinar_recordings: Webinar recordings will be posted here!
FAQs about Slack
Can I submit a project via Slack?
No. Projects must be submitted via email at projects@valar.quantic.edu.
Can I request an exam or project extension via Slack?
No. Extension requests must be submitted via email at emba@valar.quantic.edu or mba@valar.quantic.edu.
Can I request to defer my enrollment to another cohort via Slack?
No. Deferral requests must be submitted via email at emba@valar.quantic.edu or mba@valar.quantic.edu.
Need Help?
- Email us: The best way to contact us regarding questions about your individual account or your performance is to send an email to support@valar.quantic.edu.
- Valar Staff: You’ll see Valar staff on Slack that can help answer questions in public channels. Their usernames will look like this: name at Valar (eg. Hannah at Valar).