How did you get started on research?

[passionformed]

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I have been trying to get research; I emailed professors and applied to summer research programs. But professors are saying they don't have positions, and I know summer programs are tough to get in w/o previous experience. So how do I get experience? I have been emailing each professor individually and talking about their research in the email.

Are there any other ways?

 

[Lollygag]

What year are you? A research class is mandatory at my school for Biology majors. If they have something like that at your school, you could try doing that early that way you can get your foot in the door. If you get to know the professor and you do well they may consider taking you on for projects in the future.

Speak with your classmates and see how they found research. A lot of times, finding research is school specific and they may have a better idea of where to find it.

 

[Cinclus]

See if you can set up a meeting with the chair or associate chair of the department. They are often able to help connect you with a lab they think could use you.

 

[911 Turbo]

Cold approached professors. Success rate was about 60% brah.

 

[EmergencyMonkey]

See if you can set up a meeting with the chair or associate chair of the department. They are often able to help connect you with a lab they think could use you.

^^this. I think a dept chair would be a great resource.

______________
visit the monkey at EmergencyMonkey.com

 

[passionformed]

Cold approached professors. Success rate was about 60% brah.

By email?

 

[911 Turbo]

By email?

Yes. One short paragraph stating my intent.

I didn't attach a resume but I think you should.

 

[sunflower18]

Summer research -- cold called a lab at my local med school and asked them if they needed undergrad lab assistants. They said yes and hired me!

Academic-year research -- read research interests on my school webpage for various professor's, decided which one looked the most interesting, looked up her previous publications, and decided to email her to ask to get involved.

Both were pretty simple. The latter was/is via the psychology department, so it wasn't too competitive. Still, it's science research and it's really cool and interesting! So it worked out well.

 

[SilentSoldier]

cold emailed professors, ended up with the only professor that said yes. hope it works out better for you

 

[magicm]

Cold approached professors. Success rate was about 60% brah.

I agree but when you call or show up make sure you have done your homework and know what they do. I find if you have read their papers and can explain why you are interested in their work your in

Personal success rate with this approach 83.33%

 

[PathToMDPhD]

I worked with one of my professors in his genetics lab for a semester. I had taken several classes with him, done very well in them, and he knew how serious I was about research.

Have you approached any of your own professors? People who know you, and your work ethic? For me, that really helped.

 

[Aerus]

By cold-emailing. State your interest to work in a lab, highlight specific positive qualities that you have in which you believe will benefit the lab, and mention any other things you have that are relevant to the lab.

PI's also like long term committed students, so if you're looking for one lab to work throughout your undergrad career, mention that too.

 

[yehhhboiii]

I went to the office of a professor whose class I had taken and talked to him about how I wanted some research experience. I offered to volunteer for the summer and he set me to work with a graduate student on their project. I learned how to do science but found out that I didn't have what it takes to earn a Ph.D.

 

[tima]

Continue to email labs in various departments. I think it's a good idea to say you are interested in his/her research and you want do unpaid part-time research for at least 2 semesters. Try to look for long term research rather than summer (3 months of research). It usually takes 2-3 weeks to get trained in the lab, so the PI might be more interested if you want to work for 2 semesters.

 

[magicm]

By cold-emailing. State your interest to work in a lab, highlight specific positive qualities that you have in which you believe will benefit the lab, and mention any other things you have that are relevant to the lab.

PI's also like long term committed students, so if you're looking for one lab to work throughout your undergrad career, mention that too.

personally i think the cold call or meeting is better then the cold email.

its easier to say no to an email then a voice or even better a person

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

Find out a professor's office hours and go in and ask about his/her lab. Research beforehand so that you can say specifically why you're interested. If there's no space for you in that lab, ask for other labs you could potentially join.