Undergraduate Research Experience Help

[Mnbvcxz]

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Hey,

EDIT (9/15): I got a position, thanks for helping me. My questions now is: how to get good at research and not waste the time of the PI and the other people training me? How can I innovate? Also, time wise, when should I start to be independent?

I'm at my 2nd "No" asking research professors in Neuroscience and Immunology about helping them out in their labs. I was wondering if I'm taking the right approach here.
I have been reading abstracts from their publications and sending them a short e-mail stating what I'm studying now, when I go to school, what I like about there research and that I would be happy to do anything they need me to for as an unpaid research assistant. I also enclose my resume which contains some previous research experience, a bunch of nation science awards and some volunteering. Then after a week, I call them up.
I was wondering why they have been saying no and what I can do to improve my odds. I read some research experience threads on this forum, but I was wondering specifically what I could do in my case since I'm neither majoring in a science field nor asking professors from my school which seems to make it harder.
Would I have a better shot just taking my resume to a professor's office during office hours? Also is it possible that late-August is just too late to get a position for the fall semester?

Thanks a lot for your help guys, I appreciate it.

 

[Charles Darwin]

Here was how I approached my current research position:

Me: Hi Dr. ______, do you take students for research?
Prof: Yep, send me an email.

That's it. I didn't hand him my resume or CV, I simply talked to him face to face after class. Maybe you should take that approach instead?

 

[Doctor246853]

Hey,

I'm at my 2nd "No" asking research professors in Neuroscience and Immunology about helping them out in their labs. I was wondering if I'm taking the right approach here.
I have been reading abstracts from their publications and sending them a short e-mail stating what I'm studying now (music major), when I go to school, what I like about there research and that I would be happy to do anything they need me to for as an unpaid research assistant. I also enclose my resume which contains some previous research experience, a bunch of nation science awards and some volunteering. Then after a week, I call them up.
I was wondering why they have been saying no and what I can do to improve my odds. I read some research experience threads on this forum, but I was wondering specifically what I could do in my case since I'm neither majoring in a science field nor asking professors from my school which seems to make it harder.
Would I have a better shot just taking my resume to a professor's office during office hours? Also is it possible that late-August is just too late to get a position for the fall semester?

Thanks a lot for your help guys, I appreciate it.

Only 2nd "No"? Ha, you'll probably get about 15 more before you get that one "Yes". (If you have no research experience) It will workout, just keep doing what you're doing and add in some cold emailing. *PM if you need more detailed info*

 

[NewYorker9]

It's not too late, I know people that have started half way through the semester. I think the real question here is why you're trying to get a research position during the school year at a university besides your own? It would make more sense if it was over the summer, but I'm lost as to why you would do it during the academic year

 

[Scherbatsky]

Hey,
Would I have a better shot just taking my resume to a professor's office during office hours? Also is it possible that late-August is just too late to get a position for the fall semester?

Yes. I would definitely approach the prof/researcher in person rather than just send an email. If they prefer setting up appointments, you can email to set up an appointment to discuss your interest. This worked for me in undergrad

 

[Mnbvcxz]

Thanks a lot guys. I ended up getting a position in a research professor lab. I'm supposed to meet with them and discuss what projects exactly I can do next year. I was wondering what I am expected to know when I go to the interview. How could I best prepare myself, besides reading their most recent publications and getting as much general knowledge of their field (immunology) as I can through reading textbook chapters?
From reading other people's thread, I see that I am expected to do at least 10-15 hours a week. I was wondering if some of it is sometimes during the week-end and how late at night can one stay in the lab. I'm taking 24 credits so my schedule during the week is a little packed.

 

[kpcrew]

holy **** 24?
why?

you don't know anything so you will have to match someone's schedule to learn from them and chances are that they won't be in on weekends or too late at night. it doesn't matter really but from my experience, many people like to do the 9-5 schedule or something similar to that

 

[Mnbvcxz]

Thanks a lot.

 

[Mnbvcxz]

Thanks everybody. I absolutely love the research I'm doing right now. I was wondering what makes a research assistant good at research and not just an annoying random addition to the lab staff and how does one get good at research?
What are ways in which I can actually save time/help the lab people and at which point after you started research did you begin to feel somewhat useful?

 

[DrStraggler]

Lol, I probably got about 20 "No's" before I got my first research assistant experience. It's all about making connections. The one thing that finally worked for me was that I didn't ask for a position, I just asked to meet with the PI to talk about my "opportunities for research at the university level." I made it broad so it didn't seem like I was asking HIM for a position at HIS lab. Went to the interview, ended up charming my way into a position (By charming, I mean telling him about how I adored his research, which I actually did find interesting!)

Idk, I guess you just have to have a genuine interest for the research you're doing...keep pursing Neuroscience, because, well it's just AWESOME!

good luck OP!


EDIT: Lol, didn't see that you got one, well congrats! And 24 is way too much...overload...haha

 

[nysw]

Thanks everybody. I absolutely love the research I'm doing right now. I was wondering what makes a research assistant good at research and not just an annoying random addition to the lab staff and how does one get good at research?
What are ways in which I can actually save time/help the lab people and at which point after you started research did you begin to feel somewhat useful?

Picking up techniques quickly, reading up on background behind the project, doing literature searches to see what has and hasn't been done. That's the basics.
To be 'good' at research, you have to show to them that you're capable of thinking on your own and putting 2+2 together, whether that's through demonstrating that you know what the implications that a result would have a project or coming up with new directions to take the research, bringing up new ideas, etc. Thinking critically is key 😉

You'll start feeling somewhat useful when no one has to hold your hand through procedures and you're given the authority to order stuff & come up with procedures. I hated when I first started because I would have to watch other techs and label their tubes for them.

 

[ellm1205]

Thanks everybody. I absolutely love the research I'm doing right now. I was wondering what makes a research assistant good at research and not just an annoying random addition to the lab staff and how does one get good at research?
What are ways in which I can actually save time/help the lab people and at which point after you started research did you begin to feel somewhat useful?

You have to show initiative; don't be afraid to ask questions if you're not clear why you're doing something. From my experience, you really need to understand the research if you want to contribute significantly to the projects. It may take a while for you to feel useful in the lab, and that's ok. Just try to constantly think about what you're doing in lab and how you can improve the procedure/get better results. Also, try to skim through scientific journals once in a while on topics related to your research so you can be up to date and have interesting stuff to talk about with your mentor.

 

[Doctor246853]

Thanks a lot.

Dam that was quick, good job👍 Now just stick with it until you graduate.😀 You remind me of a young me🙄

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Sometimes they are not conducting research, or are looking for graduate students instead of Ugrad. that's what they told me when I got my first couple of "no's."

 

[Doctor246853]

Sometimes they are not conducting research, or are looking for graduate students instead of Ugrad. that's what they told me when I got my first couple of "no's."

You do know that the OP landed a position right? (just asking)

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Embaraasssinggggggg! *Hides in a corner*

 

[Doctor246853]

Embaraasssinggggggg! *Hides in a corner*

Oh no one will even notice that little flub... *Shouting* HEY EVERYBODY, LOOK AT JOHNNYROMANES POST AT 9:38PM!!!!!!! (jk, Im just a little sleepy)

 

[Mnbvcxz]

Haha, thanks anyway.
I should edit my 1st post. If anyone else has other suggestions about being good at research, please feel free.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Oh no one will even notice that little flub... *Shouting* HEY EVERYBODY, LOOK AT JOHNNYROMANES POST AT 9:38PM!!!!!!! (jk, Im just a little sleepy)

Oh nooooooooo *family guy voice*
Btw, I was looking at yourMDapps, and you have great EC's.
Your BCPM is a 4.0? Good luck on your application and interviewing.

 

[Doctor246853]

Oh nooooooooo *family guy voice*
Btw, I was looking at yourMDapps, and you have great EC's.
Your BCPM is a 4.0? Good luck on your application and interviewing.

Yeah thanks. I have a few F's and D-'s in crap like history1&2 and gov 1&2. Stupid classes.