Likelihood of landing research opportunities?

[deleted1040417]

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I'm wondering how likely someone with no research experience is in terms of landing a research position after graduating with 0 undergraduate research? Otherwise, I can try my best to convince undergrad profs to take me in during my final year and commit to them throughout my gap year(s).

EDIT: I'm willing to do 2 gap years considering that's how long most prefer.

 

[M&L]

I'm wondering how likely someone with no research experience is in terms of landing a research position after graduating with 0 undergraduate research? Otherwise, I can try my best to convince undergrad profs to take me in during my final year and commit to them throughout my gap year(s).

talking to your undergrad professors is always a good place to start.

What is your major?

 

[deleted1040417]

talking to your undergrad professors is always a good place to start.

What is your major?

Biology BA

 

[M&L]

Biology BA

Good !!! That should make things easier perhaps. You can definitely get a spot without experience , but you usually need to know where to look and /or have connections . That’s why talking to your professors is a good place to start . Also your school might have some sort of a student research center that helps students find research . Also try asking your academic advisor .

 

[JAK2-STAT3]

If you don't have any luck finding a paid position, some labs may be open to having you as a volunteer. In general, PIs like free labor. If you work hard, show interest in what the lab is doing, and aren't an insufferable person, opportunities will present themselves. Send some professionally-written cold emails and see what happens.

 

[M&L]

do talk to your school first before you send out cold free emails, because sometimes schools can point you towards paid opportunities. This is how i got myself a paid research position with zero research experience.

 

[deleted1040417]

Our biology advisor isn't really much help.

Yes, the university does offer research for credit if you can get a professor to agree to take you in. I've emailed a professor whose research interests me, but they requested I try later and if I have yet taken their course (which I will be in this coming Fall). I can try talking to them in person while doing well in their class and explain my situation with the 2 gap years I'm most likely going to be taking.

EDIT: Talking to them in person may be difficult, we will see. I'm sure they will have online office hours at least if not in person.


I was just wondering worst-case scenario if a professor does not end up taking me on if I can land research after graduating with no experience, but will continue to try with undergraduate professors.

 

[deleted1040417]

do talk to your school first before you send out cold free emails, because sometimes schools can point you towards paid opportunities. This is how i got myself a paid research position with zero research experience.

There are tons of paid internships, but they only take on rising sophomores/juniors and for some reason don't allow any rising senior open to gap years to apply.

I didn't really know I'd commit to medicine until later in college and found out about the value of having some research in your app until it was late to apply to most internships. Others just ask for experience.

 

[M&L]

There are tons of paid internships, but they only take on rising sophomores/juniors and for some reason don't allow any rising senior open to gap years to apply.

I didn't really know I'd commit to medicine until later in college and found out about the value of having some research in your app until it was late to apply to most internships. Others just ask for experience.

Oh definitely. It’s a mess . I think the only reason I got into NIH is because I was a veteran (and my hiring boss was as well ). I was more than qualified, don’t take me wrong !!! But I don’t have connections and I didn’t have experience.

 

[Ihave Nonamè]

People here aren’t acknowledging the closure of many university labs at the moment. Many of those that are open are limiting their staff such that volunteers are not allowed in.

Individuals at my school are very put off by anyone attempting to return in any capacity. They don’t consider it to be responsible. I personally have received some rather emotionally charged responses online (school social media - my full name was not disclosed) from students, grad students, and a professor for “being selfish and trying to put others’ lives at risk“ because I was concerned about missing out on opportunities.

 

[deleted1040417]

People here aren’t acknowledging the closure of many university labs at the moment. Many of those that are open are limiting their staff such that volunteers are not allowed in.

Individuals at my school are very put off by anyone attempting to return in any capacity. They don’t consider it to be responsible. I personally have received some rather emotionally charged responses online (school social media - my full name was not disclosed) from students, grad students, and a professor for “being selfish and trying to put others’ lives at risk“ because I was concerned about missing out on opportunities.

This was in terms of what I was thinking, that is why I was thinking of the 2 gap years with 0 experience at my chances of landing an opportunity. On my campus, labs were closed for a couple of months, but they've picked back up. I do highly doubt anyone is willing to take on newbies/train anyone right now though.

One of my friends still goes to campus accordingly to their PI and they keep apart. Another is just doing remote tasks since they were offered a remote option if they weren't comfortable of returning.

EDIT: I also acknowledged this when emailing the on the professor that responded to ask at a later time.

Thank you for adding this.

 

[jhmmd]

If you don't have any luck finding a paid position, some labs may be open to having you as a volunteer. In general, PIs like free labor. If you work hard, show interest in what the lab is doing, and aren't an insufferable person, opportunities will present themselves. Send some professionally-written cold emails and see what happens.

This is exactly what I did. You need to be able to sacrifice pay for experience. If you're volunteering you're also more likely to get flexible hours so you can work that around a job if you need to.