For non-science majors doing research...

[Global Warming]

Did you feel it was extra difficult in obtaining a position? When you did recieve a position, do you feel people look down on you?

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[tiedyeddog]

Did you feel it was extra difficult in obtaining a position? When you did recieve a position, do you feel people look down on you?

I am a science major so I can't comment on how hard it is for a non-science major to find a position.

Being looked down on or not depends on what area the research is in and also how willing your PI or grad students are to work with you to get you up to speed.

 

[RaginRajon]

I was a psych major (just graduated) and have been having a terrible time trying to find a lab job for my gap year. The only advice that I have is to try to avoid saying that you are a pre-med. Most labs don't want to "rent" someone for the 10-14 months before you leave for medical school.

 

[Global Warming]

I have tried being both honest and dishonest about being a pre-med. In my experience..I found it better to just be honest about your intentions of going to medical school. I have been put as the student leader of my lab (granted that it isn't a major famous lab) and delicate responsibility to the other UG researchers. I get along with everyone very well b/c of personality, however I sometimes feel that the PI looks down on me....

Is it me or is there some invisible conflict between PhD's and MD's? All of my PhD profs...favor students who plan to pursue graduate school or PhD programs. Us pre-med students are seen as money hungry people that simply wants to drive fast cars and live a lavish life...

 

[tiedyeddog]

Is it me or is there some invisible conflict between PhD's and MD's? All of my PhD profs...favor students who plan to pursue graduate school or PhD programs. Us pre-med students are seen as money hungry people that simply wants to drive fast cars and live a lavish life...

It has to do with the fact that most pre-meds just do research to pad their resumes, don't put in any extra effort to learn about what they are doing in the lab, and in generally change plans way to much for the time required to train them.

 

[Global Warming]

To be perfectly honest, this is the reason why I started applying to research labs. However, once I began doing "actual" work, I was inspired and found the general atmosphere to be very inticing. Despite me being a very good student, super friendly, and having a "good" relationship with PI, I still find that I am not given the respect that I deserve.