Are you ready for a challenge outside the classroom? Do you want to see how work is really done in your field? It might be time to explore a research position. But you have to plan ahead to make sure the right opportunity comes your way.
How can a research position help you?
A research position broadens your scope - personally, academically and professionally. It gives you the chance to explore your interests and see what professional-level work is really like. You'll learn marketable skills and gain the kind of "real-world" experience that looks great on a resume. That makes getting a job or getting into grad school much easier.
On a more practical front, some research positions offer a salary or college credit. Check with your professor or department to see if credit can be granted.
What kind of positions and projects are available?
Opportunities vary from field to field and school to school. Students in the sciences may find themselves assisting in the lab and monitoring the progress of experiments. Sociology students may find positions holding interviews, tallying statistics from studies and reviewing scholarly journals. Humanities students may find jobs assisting in the compilation of a database or helping with library research. And positions vary from short-term projects to ongoing assignments to independent study programs leading to course credit or a final report.
How do you find a research position?
Start with your own school. Many schools offer resources for students who want to do research, including job postings, funding opportunities for independent research, awards recognizing undergraduate research and information about summer research programs. Check your school's directory or Web site to see if your college offers an undergraduate research center.
You may also want to consult your department to see if opportunities are posted informally or if the staff know of any professors who are currently seeking research assistants.
If your school doesn't offer a formal research program, you may be able to create your own. Set up appointments with your professors to discuss their research. "This approach works because faculty like to talk about their research," says Charlotte A. Otto, a member of the
Council on Undergraduate Research, chemistry professor and associate provost at the University of Michigan.
If nothing is available on your campus, apply for positions at other institutions. A good place to start is the
Research Experiences for Undergraduate program (REU). Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the REU provides a stipend and possible college credit for students conducting scientific research at colleges nationwide. Students apply directly to the laboratories and departments participating in the REU program.
Who is usually chosen for research positions?
Students should demonstrate aptitude and experience in the field most closely related to the research area. Beyond that, specific criteria can vary. "Since the project concerns the faculty member's research, it is the faculty member who sets the criteria for participation," Professor Otto says.
In informal research programs, the professor has even more control, choosing from among students familiar from class. To improve your chances, develop a working relationship with your professors through office hour visits and independent study programs.
When should I look for a lab research position?
Anyone from a freshman to a graduating senior could apply - but keep some guidelines in mind:
- Before considering research during your freshman year, make sure you're ready for the extra load. Don't overload while you're still adjusting to college.
- Improve your chances by establishing a working relationship with your professors. Start appropriate coursework early to help build your pool of likely professor-mentors.
- Start applying during sophomore or junior year. Getting a position after you graduate is more difficult. It takes time for faculty to train and get to know a research participant.
Keep one thing in mind as you look for your research position: There is a difference between research position and simple grunt work. "Sometimes students are hired as a pair of hands: They clean glassware, take care of animals, set up experiments for courses, etc. These are 'jobs,'" Professor Otto says. "Research is not a 'job.' Look for a position that allows for "faculty/undergraduate interaction, ideally in all phases of research."
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