Research internships

[MindCastle15]

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Hello,
So I'm starting sophomore year, and I'm looking to work in a lab and gain some hands on experience in research. I was wondering if I could get some pointers about the different kinds of labs to work for:
1) When choosing a lab, should I just look at what they study in the lab, or will getting into a lab headed by a professor who can give me sound advice about my career (i.e. has followed the steps I want to follow) be a better idea?
2) Associate professor/ or Professor- does it matter?
3) How do medical schools look at internships in companies?
Thanks.

 

[Carmiche]

1) Definitely make sure what they study in the lab is something you would like to study too. If you don't like what you're researching, you aren't going to have a great time, and you will probably learn less. "Going through the motions" is something that comes to mind.
2) Doesn't really matter. Make sure the PI has a history of being productive, though. Joining a lab that hasn't published anything in 10 years could end up being a dead end. If you can find a faculty that does clinical research, these projects often result in more frequent publications.
3) If you are doing research it doesn't really matter too much where you do it at.