RA Positions Quandary

[whiteelephant]

Dear collective wisdom,

Was wondering if I could tap here for some advice. I am interested in pursuing a clinical/community psychology phd and am currently looking for more research experience. I am looking in the MA, RI and CT area. I have an mph and a bachelor's from a prestigious university.

The problem is that I am having trouble finding research work. While I do have somewhat of a network and have done research work, I had to get some organizational issues under control. So, I took the past year to do research in the community. Now that I am looking for research work, I can't find opportunities.

I've tried networking and describing the research/analytical skills that will make me an asset. I've researched 10 or so professionals at various research institutes and departments.

I'm getting quite discouraged by this whole process. And just wondering how to strategize researching research opportunities.

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[PsychPhDone]

There are tons of research universities and hospitals in that area. Start looking for job postings at major research hospitals and universities. Even more importantly, contact PIs in labs whose research interests you to see if there are any openings -- very often, postings don't make it to the official HR page until they have actually been filled.

It might be a tricky time of year to find a "traditional" full time research asst. job, as many are filled in the spring to start in the summer. Still, it's not a bad idea to put out some feelers and see if anything is available.

 

[whiteelephant]

So, my strategy has been to write to PI's and include cover letter and CV. If I get no responses, do I just assume it's going to be tough/impossible to get something at this time of year?

 

[PsychPhDone]

I handled hiring in my old lab, and it could mean lots of things. The biggest thing it probably means is that they are busy doing other things, have forwarded your inquiry to an RA for filing, and you got lost in the shuffle. It's important that you straight out ask if they are hiring now in addition to sending materials, which it sounds like you are probably doing. It's going to be a really tough time of year, but not impossible.