Research Dilemma

[deleted388502]

Hi All,

I started research my third week of freshman year with a graduate student doing her dissertation. I got a lot of experience there with coding, running participants, etc. but the grad student just did not have time for me and I literally never even met my PI because I was the grad student's RA. She hasn't been too great with giving me LORs (she's super busy) but I think she speaks fondly of me. I dabbled briefly in a cognitive neuro lab but nothing ever came of it and I just kind of showed up for like three weeks, I don't ever list it on my resume but it taught me that I am NOT interested in cognitive neuroscience.

I quit that lab first semester sophomore year to join another lab that was more neuropsych based, and they seemed really motivated and had a lot of opportunities. Fast forward a semester later, I got sick last semester so I didn't do a lot the last couple of weeks and therefore fell behind in the lab. I wasn't doing very much to start with; busy work, being trained to run neuropsych consultations, etc. Now, I'm rating data sets and such but the lab just seems like theres 0 opportunity for growth. They only really give projects to upperclass students and there's seniors who will be taking a fifth year who have the spots to do a thesis. I really don't think there's any opportunity for growth and I really don't just want to run patients and rate data cause I've already done that.

So I applied to another lab, a depression lab that studies like methodologies in psych and it seems nice because I'll get clinical psych exposure (Currently undecided about premed vs grad school) and they REALLY seem to respect me. Literally at my interview today the guy said I could get my own project as soon as I started because I've obviously proven my competence thus far.

Here's my dilemma: I don't want to look like an ass quitting the other lab, and I can't even quit till the end of this semester because I have research credit with them. I know they won't give me an LOR, not really concerned about that, more concerned about my reputation between departments. I'm also concerned how it's going to look that I've floated around between research so much on my resume (3 labs total if I take this new one, the other two were both for a year). Am I making a mistake by quitting the lab I'm currently in? I'm decently interested in the work that they do (the neuropsych part, not really their current studies) but I am literally so fed up of doing bitchwork while my friends are getting their own projects and I'm putting in just as much time and dedication. I've tried speaking to the lab manager and they've basically told me they'll add me as a rater to a couple other projects, but that's it.

Any advice would be appreciated!

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[plumhill]

You shouldn't create any negative tension if you leave the lab tactfully and respectfully. PIs understand that student research interests change, and even though you've got your eye on a particular lab, you can always ask your current PI for suggestions.

That being said, you're a sophomore. Its very rare for sophomores to get their own projects, and its very common for a PI to keep on a student for a year or more before giving them their own project. You've been in the current lab for less than a year, and you've said yourself that you're behind. What makes you think you're ready for your own project? There's a reason that its usually just upperclass students who get their own projects: they have experience (at least academic experience) and they can handle it. Before you up and quit, talk to your current PI to see what you need to do to get your own project. If you're going to jump into a new lab, remember that you'll have to re-adjust all over again and even if you have your own project there, there's no telling how that'll turn out, so I wouldn't be so hasty. The grass is always greener on the other side.

 

[deleted388502]

That being said, you're a sophomore. Its very rare for sophomores to get their own projects, and its very common for a PI to keep on a student for a year or more before giving them their own project. You've been in the current lab for less than a year, and you've said yourself that you're behind. What makes you think you're ready for your own project? There's a reason that its usually just upperclass students who get their own projects: they have experience (at least academic experience) and they can handle it. Before you up and quit, talk to your current PI to see what you need to do to get your own project. If you're going to jump into a new lab, remember that you'll have to re-adjust all over again and even if you have your own project there, there's no telling how that'll turn out, so I wouldn't be so hasty. The grass is always greener on the other side.

Thanks for your response!

The thing is, you're totally right. I am only a sophomore. However, a girl who joined the lab the same time as me, put in the same amount of hours as me, now has her own project and has been given more responsiblity when we've done the same amount of work simply because she an upperclassman. She's doing her senior research thesis, which is the only time I feel they give responsibility.

I also feel that I have had more than enough experience doing busy work/menial tasks, and while not asking specifically FOR a project, I've talked to another girl in my lab who worked there for four years and only ran people/rated data because it's really all there is to do. Is this merited or am I still completely out of line? I just have friends who started getting their own projects and having their own ideas designed into projects like even late in their freshman year because they committed the time and the effort and I just feel bitter that no matter what I do, how much time I put in, I don't feel like I get a lot out of research. I met with my PI at the beginning of this semester and she said she likes students who take initiative. However, there's really nothing for me to take initiative with. Presenting an article at lab meeting is pretty much the only initiative I can take. I literally put questionnaires into envelopes and make copies after a semester and a half, and when I asked to be put on helping out with fMRI stuff, the lab manager said that the two thesis students were enough on those aspects of the project.