How many labs are you in?

[IPremed2010]

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In how many labs do you work during the school year?

I am thinking to work in 2 labs during the school year. Does it sound reasonable?

 

[web2linc]

I was in two labs. It depends on your roles within the lab. I was able to do it fine and take 15 units.

 

[wolverinepwns]

its not important how many labs you work in, what matters is that you show commitment, and actually do something relavant and learn from it! Also it helps if you get published, so personally I would stick to the one I think I would be more intersted in, devote my time to it and show you PI that you care. That way you will learn alot, you will hopefully get published, and you will get an epic LOR from you PI.

 

[Procyon]

its not important how many labs you work in, what matters is that you show commitment, and actually do something relavant and learn from it! Also it helps if you get published, so personally I would stick to the one I think I would be more intersted in, devote my time to it and show you PI that you care. That way you will learn alot, you will hopefully get published, and you will get an epic LOR from you PI.

Not that I have research experience yet, but I was under the impression that things are supposed to go something like this, so I think it might be good advice. 🙂

 

[Ischemic]

In how many labs do you work during the school year?

I am thinking to work in 2 labs during the school year. Does it sound reasonable?

Why would you work in 2 labs at the same time? It's not like you're going to be twice as productive. You're more likely to halfass both making you half as productive. Not to mention time you're gonna have to put in for school and other stuff, where you gonna get time to get all that done and work at 2 different labs?

 

[wanderer]

I don't think it makes much sense working in two different labs, unless they are in very different fields and you're trying to see what field you would enjoy more (not relevant if you're planning on going to medicine though).

 

[iwantMD]

I don't think it makes much sense working in two different labs, unless they are in very different fields and you're trying to see what field you would enjoy more (not relevant if you're planning on going to medicine though).

lol

 

[Bethany555]

for anyone in two labs, do you think your PI's held it against you? is it considered 'proper' to only work in 1 lab at a time (to make it seem like you aren't just trying to maximize your chance at publication/presentation)?

 

[fishbait63]

I worked in two labs before both were continuations (one i was working during my breaks the other during the year final year I took less units to do both). It really matters if you have had experience in the lab before working in two that you have never worked in might be difficult simply because you will not know what is required of you from each lab.
I don't think the PI will hold it against you if you show the same or more commitment you always did; its really not about the hours its about how hard working you are during those hours. If your frantically doing experiments and making more mistakes then it might become an issue.
I think it really depends on the fields if its two very similar fields you should just stick to one and get more depth if it is two very different fields then maybe there is a benefit.

 

[Dannyw]

Not working in two labs, but on two different projects. One is at my school doing bench research and the other is clinical research at a medical school.

 

[hopki099]

I work in two labs. One is for a corporation and one is for the university. Both are interconnected and build off of each other, so it works out nicely. Two unrelated labs, though, may not be worth your time/effort. Try to focus on one in depth if possible.

 

[curlytop]

I'm in two different labs at the same institution. They're unrelated fields but I like them both, and I get very different experience from both. Not on purpose, but neither of them are aware of each other. I don't think it even matters; they're both (from feedback) happy with my work.

Do it because you love both and you know you'll do both right, otherwise, there's no reason to squeeze yet another commitment in.

 

[Total180]

I work in two labs right now...my PIs are married, which makes it extra complicated. I wouldn't recommend it if you are going to school, I run around like a chicken with my head cut off all day....but it pays the bills. But this is all I am doing this year (gap year) so it isn't so bad. Annnnnd time to go take my western out of secondary!

 

[cfx]

I really don't get why you would do this. Money? Aside from that, can't come up with a valid reason...

 

[anfleisch]

Yea I agree with above. You are better off doing really well in one lab than just getting by in 2 labs. Especially if this is one of your first lab experiences, since you will be putting all of your effort towards learning what the hell you are doing. Then, two labs will just mix you up.

 

[brynleerose]

I work with one group doing pediatric clinical research, and one doing basic neuroscience research and the two are very different. I get a lot out of doing both.

 

[hiyaman]

In how many labs do you work during the school year?

I am thinking to work in 2 labs during the school year. Does it sound reasonable?

lol, only two? I work in 8.