Multiple Research Positions

[Teleologist]

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Are maintaining multiple research positions worth it? I have the option of dropping either position but I'd like to stay on both because the two are vastly different - one's people and health-outcome focused and it meshes very, very well with a program at my university that I want to get in.

The other one is a bona-fide genetic engineering lab in which I'll not only be assisting with research but also conducting a bit of research on my own. This again meshes well with another, separate, program at my university that I wish to get in.

Is it worth committing to two research projects in one semester? The first one is a major time commitment on weekends; the other is more of a during the week thing.

Should I just drop one and focus on other stuff that I really want to do too?

 

[Kochanie]

If you can handle it, why not? I think both of them are very valuable. I'm going to be doing clinical research (low time commitment) and lab research (20+ hours a week).

 

[lmn]

Depends on what you want and what you are capable of handling. I personally did two research positions for two years, but along with my other EC's and life, it really meant that I had quite a busy schedule most days and would have to come into research on weekends fairly often. I learned a lot from both and enjoyed them personally, but it is definitely a big commitment and unless you are likely to publish, the extra one probably won't make the hugest difference in terms of your application.

 

[Amba]

Depends on what you want and what you are capable of handling. I personally did two research positions for two years, but along with my other EC's and life, it really meant that I had quite a busy schedule most days and would have to come into research on weekends fairly often. I learned a lot from both and enjoyed them personally, but it is definitely a big commitment and unless you are likely to publish, the extra one probably won't make the hugest difference in terms of your application.

+1. If you do decide to keep two positions, make sure what you are doing is high yield. Otherwise it's not worth it.

 

[ridethecliche]

I'd do both if you can handle it, be productive, and still do well with everything else. If it's going to be deleterious to academic performance or such, then drop one.