Not Enough Time for Lab

[AttemptingScholar]

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I recently began working in a molecular genetics lab. To my frustration, I'm moving very slowly because my full class schedule makes going to almost impossible--it's been over a month and I'm still practicing gels and not allowed to do any real work--a decision I agree with because I can't come in enough to get anything done!

Next semester, I'm taking a slightly easier and freer schedule, so I should be able to come in more and I'm hoping to step up my involvement. I hear that 10-12 hours/week is pretty normal for undergrad students, and I'll have a chunk of hours one day and all day Friday, which should do that. However, the other undergrad working with me seems to have endless time to spend in the lab--she's there for much of the day four days out of the week. I'm worried I'm dead weight in this lab who won't be able to keep the position until summer (I'm hoping to work in the lab over summer) or get a good letter of rec.

The head of the lab insists we put schoolwork ahead of extracurriculars, so I am, but I feel like I'm essentially not there at all.

 

[ObjectiveBoba]

I don't really see a question in your post -- but if you do not have time to work in lab, then I suggest you not push yourself to do so. In fact, I tell all my undergraduate volunteers to put school ahead of research. Chances are, yes, you are a dead weight in the lab, and are wasting their reagents.

For most undergraduates working in my lab, the magic number of hours in which they are given more responsibility is ~20. Particularly as most of basic science research is waiting around for your experiments to finish -- any less than that you probably won't be able to finish a Western Blot or other simple experiments.

 

[TrumpPutin2022]

You gotta approach this more strategically. Why are you working in the lab? To get into medical school? First and foremost, if your researching under a great professor that could write a letter of rec that'd put you a step up, then I'd go after that first. Win over the professor. I made the mistake of wanting to become the best future researcher I could. I did too much in the lab. They even started paying me for my work. I got along great with the staff and professor. But, one day asked for an opportunity to be a bigger part of a project and I was let go. Basically, at my university undergraduate students were only allowed to do so much. We are easily replaced. MOST IMPORTANT is to buddy up with you letter of rec writer. No matter how long you are there, you can create a great relationship with them even while doing the crap jobs of research like working the autoclave or cleaning the lab constantly.

 

[ObjectiveBoba]

...I got along great with the staff and professor. But, one day asked for an opportunity to be a bigger part of a project and I was let go. ...

I am sorry, I really doubt this, at least in the context that you have provided. Most PIs will stick their head out for any of their good researchers, including undergraduate ones. Yes, undergraduates are easily replaced -- but most staff and professors like to continue relationships with undergraduates because they are also human beings who like to teach, train, and help the next generation of researchers. That's the reason any professor writes a letter of recommendation really, not even to mention accepting students into their lab.

In fact, asking to be a bigger part of a project would be exactly the thing any PI would encourage. Besides, it is unlikely that someone would be let go for simply asking to do more work.

 

[TrumpPutin2022]

I am sorry, I really doubt this, at least in the context that you have provided. Most PIs will stick their head out for any of their good researchers, including undergraduate ones. Yes, undergraduates are easily replaced -- but most staff and professors like to continue relationships with undergraduates because they are also human beings who like to teach, train, and help the next generation of researchers. That's the reason any professor writes a letter of recommendation really, not even to mention accepting students into their lab.

In fact, asking to be a bigger part of a project would be exactly the thing any PI would encourage. Besides, it is unlikely that someone would be let go for simply asking to do more work.

That is your experience. Mine is a lot different. It truly depends on your researcher. Your situation sounds like an ideal world but, in reality most people find themselves doing lab work when they thought they would be doing research.

 

[Dox4lyfe]

I recently began working in a molecular genetics lab. To my frustration, I'm moving very slowly because my full class schedule makes going to almost impossible--it's been over a month and I'm still practicing gels and not allowed to do any real work--a decision I agree with because I can't come in enough to get anything done!

Next semester, I'm taking a slightly easier and freer schedule, so I should be able to come in more and I'm hoping to step up my involvement. I hear that 10-12 hours/week is pretty normal for undergrad students, and I'll have a chunk of hours one day and all day Friday, which should do that. However, the other undergrad working with me seems to have endless time to spend in the lab--she's there for much of the day four days out of the week. I'm worried I'm dead weight in this lab who won't be able to keep the position until summer (I'm hoping to work in the lab over summer) or get a good letter of rec.

The head of the lab insists we put schoolwork ahead of extracurriculars, so I am, but I feel like I'm essentially not there at all.

I am literally in your exact some position, except I did it on purpose. I told my PI that this first semester, I'd spend the little time I have to get trained and learn everything about the lab (I joined mid-October). Next semester, I'd work 10+ hours in larger chunks to get much more done. I also told the PI from the start that I intend on working over the summer.

Just as a previous poster mentioned, make sure to form a strong relationship with your PI. Unless your goal is to crank out papers for a future research career, your focus should be on learning as much as you can about the research process, being productive with any of the time you spend, and most importantly, strengthening your bond with the PI.

 

[aldol16]

You need to manage your time better. You don't always have to be studying outside of class and you can use dead time in the lab better. So if you're running a gel and have half an hour to kill, you can use that to do some work, etc. Time doesn't get easier to manage at any point after this.

 

[AttemptingScholar]

You need to manage your time better. You don't always have to be studying outside of class and you can use dead time in the lab better. So if you're running a gel and have half an hour to kill, you can use that to do some work, etc. Time doesn't get easier to manage at any point after this.

That's definitely part of the problem, but most of the studying is at night. It's the classes themselves--like I feel like I'd have to skip class (which I won't do) to spend a lot of time there. In your experience, is this a common problem? Or is it a sign that this might not be a fulfilling career for me? This semester will be my busiest of all four years and soon I'll be able to use this lab work as a class credit, so I'm hoping time will free itself up. It may take awhile though.

 

[aldol16]

That's definitely part of the problem, but most of the studying is at night. It's the classes themselves--like I feel like I'd have to skip class (which I won't do) to spend a lot of time there. In your experience, is this a common problem? Or is it a sign that this might not be a fulfilling career for me? This semester will be my busiest of all four years and soon I'll be able to use this lab work as a class credit, so I'm hoping time will free itself up. It may take awhile though.

Wait, I don't get how you're spending all your time in class. Even with a heavy courseload, I usually had at least two afternoons a week back in undergrad where I could be in lab. That's not even counting the evenings.