How do i gain research experience

[Jumoke]

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Been out of school for years working. No research experience. Applying to volunteer at a local hospital school. I'd like to gain some research experience to supplement my application and make me more competitive.

How do i? Where do i even start? I currently work full-time but can work out some time to prepare this for the next application cycle.

What do you suggest?

 

[jaydar]

What I did was blanket all the hospitals in my city. It took a lot of Googling and hours spent emailing, but I found something great, stuck with it for a few years, and I really think it was crucial for my successful application cycle this year.

Basically, I just Googled to find out about the research programs in hospitals I was interested in (I focused on children's hospitals), then searched for the names of program directors, lab techs, basically anyone associated with each program. After I made a list of people, I just googled their names with their institutional affiliations to try and find email addresses. Many of these people direct educational programs, too, so you can sometimes find their contact information that way.

I must have sent out 50+ emails with a brief description of my story and what I was looking for before I got a response from a chair of research at a major hospital connecting me with a fellow (who was also a nontrad) who needed some help with her research. After an internship with her, I made more connections and ended up working in clinical research for a few years. Applied this year and got in!

 

[Goro]

With no ties right now you need to develop some.

First start the volunteering, and get to know the doctors (or do so after you start shadowing). Perhaps they can point you to a researcher.

Failing that, once you go back to school (I assume you're lacking in some pre-reqs?), get to know your faculty, and they can direct you to some researchers, if they're not doing any already.

Been out of school for 10yrs working as a software developer. No research experience. Applying to volunteer at a local hospital school. I'd like to gain some research experience to supplement my application and make me more competitive.

How do i? Where do i even start? I currently work full-time but can work out some time to prepare this for the next application cycle.

What do you suggest?

 

[Jumoke]

Thank you all for these great ideas & advice, i will start working on all these. I am currently taking pre-req chemistry & biology courses this summer, so i will try to connect to some professors. I should also be able to make some connections at my volunteering hospital too.

I will google and check that website as well..

Thankies

 

[kami333]

Also highlight your software development background, it's hard to find programmers who also understand the science parts (especially at the salary range that labs can pay). My IT background was one of the reasons I was hired for my current position, some days I feel like an Oracle DBA (at half the salary).

 

[kayak30]

Hi there,

I'm 31 years old and I have been on the pre-med path since 28...Taking my time (and because I didn't have a choice to crank through the classes) I managed to get into two research positions...both were through science professors (first one with a Bio prof, and second with a genetics prof who were both heavily involved in research). I think you should approach your teachers and at least see what they suggest, chances are they have a colleague who does research too if they are not directly involved. I got lucky and managed to develop a good relationship with both, got two strong science LOR's from them and continue to keep in touch with them. Good luck with the pre-reqs and this process 👍

 

[CarbonBased]

Thanks for starting this thread because it is a question that I am struggling with as well. I was also curious if the type of research you do is important, does it need to be medical related research?

 

[Girly X]

Thanks for starting this thread because it is a question that I am struggling with as well. I was also curious if the type of research you do is important, does it need to be medical related research?

Medical/science (basic or clinical) is best. However, any research you can get will probably be better than nothing. As long as it adds to your story...for example interested in social issues or health policy----> some sort of social science research will add to your application.