RA interview...any tips?

[chaos]

I'm quite nervous at the moment, I just got an interview for later this week at an awesome sounding RA position (volunteer, not paid, but it sounds like there is still a lot of competition). If I got the position I'd be working at a state of the art neuropsychiatry research center with a doctor at an Ivy League school...the school that is my first and 'nearly impossible, i'd have a better chance of winning the lottery' selection. and knowing me I am going to do something horribly wrong at the interview and die. From what I gather I wouldn't just be doing data entry, I'd be possibly learning to do MRI and fMRI's and conduct interviews...I'm only 19 and I've never had any kind of RA position, or actually any job before so I'm not quite sure how to go about these things...all my credentials are academic...i'm your classic study geek with no social skills. any tips on what to do/avoid during an RA interview?

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[flanagan10]

First off, I would try to put your anxiety in perspective, and regulate it as much as possible. I can say that probably the last thing a professor wants in his lab is someone who is jittery and nervous, especially if you are working with abnormal populations. So just calm down, and put things in perspective. It sounds like a great job, but you should also realize that hey, if you don't get it, it's not the end of the world.

Next off, just to clarify, I hope you realize that just because you RA at the school you want to go to for graduate school, that in no way guarantees you a place for graduate school. Two of my good friends worked for a year with a professor, applied to work with her, and she did not extend an offer.

Finally, I would say that a) be familiar with his research. Read a couple of his papers. I think if you showed up with one of his papers, had some **** underlined, and really had some cool questions to ask, you'd be really ahead of the game. Try to show that the stuff you've done in your classes is translational to his lab, even if it is only a project or two. Also, make sure you make it clear you plan to stick around for a little bit, because professors almost never pick and train people who are only going to be on board for a month or so.

Good luck,
Thomas

 

[Psyclops]

Appear really eager. Even if they talk about things you don't know about its ok because "you area really interested".

 

[psy86]

Finally, I would say that a) be familiar with his research. Read a couple of his papers. I think if you showed up with one of his papers, had some **** underlined, and really had some cool questions to ask, you'd be really ahead of the game. Try to show that the stuff you've done in your classes is translational to his lab, even if it is only a project or two. Also, make sure you make it clear you plan to stick around for a little bit, because professors almost never pick and train people who are only going to be on board for a month or so.

This is excellent advice-- do a PubMed search and see what the prof has been up to; read a couple of papers and ask questions about them.

Also, dress reasonably professionally. I don't know how much of a 'formal' interview this is, but even if it's casual I would try to show up in something mature and appropriate to wear around research subjects (e.g. dress pants and a nice button-down shirt or sweater). Do not show up in something revealing or in sneakers. Just my opinion, but I think people notice these things.

Good luck! If you don't get it, there will be lots of other opportunities down the road if you keep your eyes open.

 

[JatPenn]

I'm quite nervous at the moment, I just got an interview for later this week at an awesome sounding RA position (volunteer, not paid, but it sounds like there is still a lot of competition). If I got the position I'd be working at a state of the art neuropsychiatry research center with a doctor at an Ivy League school...the school that is my first and 'nearly impossible, i'd have a better chance of winning the lottery' selection. and knowing me I am going to do something horribly wrong at the interview and die. From what I gather I wouldn't just be doing data entry, I'd be possibly learning to do MRI and fMRI's and conduct interviews...I'm only 19 and I've never had any kind of RA position, or actually any job before so I'm not quite sure how to go about these things...all my credentials are academic...i'm your classic study geek with no social skills. any tips on what to do/avoid during an RA interview?

I'm guessing this is the Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center in Hartford?

 

[chaos]

I'm guessing this is the Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center in Hartford?

That's correct...I've heard it's a great research center..do you know much about it?

Thanks everyone for the advice, I tend to get nervous easily which isn't the greatest attribute but I'll try not to pass out or anything. Heh regarding what Flanagan said, at least now maybe I have about as much of a chance of getting into that school as I do of getting struck by a large vehicle than by lightning. Anyway, I'll let you know how the interview goes.

 

[JatPenn]

As an undergraduate (I assume since you are 19) volunteer, you will be doing work the salaried RAs wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole: copying, faxing, and endless data entry. But don't get discouraged, everyone has to start somewhere.

 

[Psyclops]

They might even let you play with urine and stool samples? If you're lucky.

 

[Psyclops]

error

 

[chaos]

As it turns out, I got the position! Now on to the endless paperwork! lol. And yeah they basically told me I will be doing data entry for a long time, but I'll also get to shadow the doctors and maybe watch some interviews and learn about the MRI's and such, so it won't be all statistics. Anyway, I'm just grateful for a chance to work at a place like that.

 

[JatPenn]

"shadow the doctors?" they must have meant the upper-level clinical research assistants, because I'd imagine in a place like that anyone in charge (those with doctorates/MDs) is behind a desk in their office in front of a computer all day when they aren't in meetings...

 

[perfektspace]

That's fantastic. Regardless of what they have you doing it will look great on your CV. Don't be afraid to remind your supervisor(s) that you are interested in doing things above and beyond the average RA. If you stick around long enough and are persistent you will probably get to do some advanced grad-level work.

 

[flanagan10]

Great news. You will be surprised where these things lead. I did volunteer in a lab measuring animal **** for about a year...but just on a chance, random encounter, I met a professor in the building halls and went on to publish an article with her, obtain a two year RAship (paid) with her, and work on my BA paper with her. So always look for opportunities and ways to expand on the experience. Congrats.

 

[Psyclops]

That's fantastic. Regardless of what they have you doing it will look great on your CV. Don't be afraid to remind your supervisor(s) that you are interested in doing things above and beyond the average RA. If you stick around long enough and are persistent you will probably get to do some advanced grad-level work.

This is very good advice. Its important to remain an advocate for yourself, without being annoying of course. It is ery easy to get caught up in your duties (entering data, gargaling urine, wighing manure) and forget what a great opportunity you have an how much you can learn. make sure you chat or ask for instruction, or the "why" behind the things you do. Of course then you get into staying extra, but it will be rewarding I swear. Congrats.

 

[chaos]

"shadow the doctors?" they must have meant the upper-level clinical research assistants, because I'd imagine in a place like that anyone in charge (those with doctorates/MDs) is behind a desk in their office in front of a computer all day when they aren't in meetings...

hmm I could have sworn he said doctors...maybe I get to sit quietly and watch them drink coffee and write grant proposals or something, lol.

Thanks for the advice everyone...yeah the grad students who interviewed me basically said I'd have opportunities to do other stuff but I'd have to be self-motivated, that this was a busy institution etc, which is about what I expected. I was quite lucky to get the position I think since I haven't done any kind of reseach assistant position before. of course i'm sure it helps that they don't have to pay me, hehe.