Research I don't enjoy...worth it?

[NeuroFP]

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I got into a program that, like another poster here, conjures and examines 3D images of protein structures via fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and another multitude of methods. I'm helping a soon to be PhD with his research -- I'm a research assistant.
The only problem is, I'm not enjoying it. At all. I dread going to the lab at this point (I started about 6 weeks ago). The last week, I spent over 60 hours (over a span of 5 days) in the lab. I know it's ridiculous...the reason always seemed to be something along the lines of, "let's just finish this" or, "let's get another image up of this.." and the time seemed to just build up.

Do you guys think that it's worth it to stick with this guy?
I'm already starting to dislike research because of this, and I don't want to get a bad taste of the world of science from just this experience --which at this point, I am.
Or is assisting in research as an undergrad always going to be like this?


Thanks for any input!

 

[harposnarpo]

Are you interested in other jobs in the lab? Maybe if you do your job well enough for a few months you can move to a better position? Talk with the PI and tell him you don't want to stick with your current job for much longer.

If that doesn't work, change labs.

 

[NeuroFP]

Alright. But before I do that, I just want to confirm that this is just a summer position.
Would you still recommend that I try to change labs?

 

[HumidBeing]

No, undergrad research is NOT always, or even usually, like that.

If I remember correctly, you're doing this as a volunteer for the experience, right? This guy doesn't even let you leave when you tell him that you have to. It would be lousy if you decided that you hated bench work just because of this experience.

Give him a schedule of when you are available and stick with it. Start looking for other labs so that you get a more well-rounded idea of what bench research is like.

 

[harposnarpo]

Alright. But before I do that, I just want to confirm that this is just a summer position.
Would you still recommend that I try to change labs?

What I said only applies to a long-term position. I hereby officially retract the previous post and provide new advice:

Suck it up and stick with the lab. You're already halfway there.

 

[URHere]

I agree with the above poster. I think most people with research experience have had at least one lab experience they wish they could erase from memory. Stick it out to the end (but try to reduce your hours to non-ridiculous levels), and then find a different lab in a completely different field once the summer is over.

Don't kill a potential LOR just to have a better summer.

 

[NeuroFP]

Alright, thanks so much for your help, everyone.

I'll keep you all posted on how it carries on.

 

[Rikkye]

I know exactly how you feel. 😡

 

[IMReady]

Just make sure you follow up with the person you're assiting (i.e. GET THAT LOR) from either the PhD student or other PI...whoever knows you best. Ask them for the letter when you're fresh in their head and let them know exactly what it's for: med school.

Also follow up with them to see if they've published any of the work you've helped with, and if you're name is on it. Some labs are very nice about including everyone on a paper who has done work on the study.

If you're not getting paid and you don't like it (I've been there), you should know if you will be getting anything out of it. Just putting "summer of research" on an application isn't is great as putting "summer of research, with publication, and here's my LOR."

Hopefully you can use this research experience to get a position next summer in a lab you actually enjoy, for pay (What I ended up doing).