no response from professor about research, what to do now?

[gatorade848]

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i had been arranging for a research position with a professor at my school; as a back up plan I also asked another professor, who is a close family friend, if I can do research at his lab over the summer through email. i know its kinda late and I only emailed him like 4 days ago but I havent heard anything from him, which feels kinda weird. should I just walk across the neighborhood, knock on his door, and just straight up ask him about his? we literally live right next to each other and i see him come back from work everyday... for some reason i feel i might be intruding or something lol

 

[Myro]

Firstly, he might not have responded because he is either busy or just disregarded your email by accident.

And if he is a family friend, who is he closest to in your family? Let's say he was your mom's friend, then just have your mom strike up a conversation with him and have her tell him that you're interested in doing research and that you'll call him or stop by to talk to him about it. That way it won't be so awkward.

OR, if you do see him coming back from work everyday, then do something outside that'll give you an excuse to be out there the same time he is. Stalk him through you front window, and when you see him coming down the road, start taking a bag of trash outside or pretend like you're picking up leaves on the front yard. As soon as he gets out of the car, RUSH HIM (just kidding), strike up a convo and go from there.

Good luck!

 

[PingPongPro]

Go visit his office at school and ask him there. Emails get disregarded all the time. Just go ask him face to face at school and see what he says. Maybe being his neighbor will give you a leg up, but I don't think you should go to his home and bother him. He simply might not have openings in his lab and could be in an awkward position rejecting you when taken off-guard.

 

[Keepitclassy]

Personally, I think you approaching him is a much better plan of attack than having your mother approach him. You manning up and asking him face-to-face will make you seem much more motivated, dedicated, and driven as opposed to having your mother doing it for you.

Be casual in your initial approach, but be cordial when asking about the position. I'm sure as a family friend he'll do his best to pull some strings, especially if you seem sincere about it.

 

[datmicro]

ppl still email professor? I stopped doing that long time ago. you need to go to their office and express ur interest in person

 

[gatorade848]

i emailed him saying i really want to do research, then I asked when is the best time for me to come in and discuss this matter face to face. i figured this is better than me just suddenly asking him when i see him. since we know each other well i thought he wouldve responded by now... yea i am gonna try track him down at his workplace monday lol

 

[Catalystik]

i emailed him saying i really want to do research, then I asked when is the best time for me to come in and discuss this matter face to face. i figured this is better than me just suddenly asking him when i see him. since we know each other well i thought he wouldve responded by now... yea i am gonna try track him down at his workplace monday lol

I suggest you take a more professional approach than that of neighbor to neighbor. You are asking for the equivalent of a job (paid, unpaid, or for class credit), not for a favor. You may have put this person into an awkward position with your casual inquery. Maybe your email was dismissed without name recognition due to noninclusion of usually attached information. Did you send a copy of your resume and transcript? This is typically done. How else can he decide if you're competitive for any position he may have to offer? Have you read up on what he's published recently so you'll sound interested and involved? Do so. Then ask his secretary for an appointment to "Discuss your career options." Understand that he may not feel compfortable mentoring you in his work place and that it's very late to arrange a summer opportunity at this time of year, so a place is unlikely to remain available. But, if so, it's possible that he's aware of other opportunities elsewhere.

 

[gatorade848]

I suggest you take a more professional approach than that of neighbor to neighbor. You are asking for the equivalent of a job (paid, unpaid, or for class credit), not for a favor. You may have put this person into an awkward position with your casual inquery. Maybe your email was dismissed without name recognition due to noninclusion of usually attached information. Did you send a copy of your resume and transcript? This is typically done. How else can he decide if you're competitive for any position he may have to offer? Have you read up on what he's published recently so you'll sound interested and involved? Do so. Then ask his secretary for an appointment to "Discuss your career options." Understand that he may not feel compfortable mentoring you in his work place and that it's very late to arrange a summer opportunity at this time of year, so a place is unlikely to remain available. But, if so, it's possible that he's aware of other opportunities elsewhere.

i didnt include the resume/transcript. I didnt ask for a position i was asking him may I come in and talk about possible research opportunities face to face and thats when I would give him the official resume/other stuff if needed. so i should actually schedule an appointment with his secretary? his kids and I are really good friends and they were like "oh ok just email him or something he will probably figure something out". looks like I shouldnt have listened to them lol

 

[Catalystik]

i was asking him may I come in and talk about possible research opportunities face to face and thats when I would give him the official resume/other stuff if needed.

so i should actually schedule an appointment with his secretary?

If it was a more open-ended inquery, that's good to hear.

Why not give it few more days, as things can be busy at the end of a term. If you've heard nothing by a week after your email, then set up the formal appointment time.