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What do I do if I lack research experience and want to work for my prof??
- Thread starter mac_kin
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Weird how you have so many people applying for research spots. At my school, we can basically walk up to a prof, show interest, and be allowed to do research on the spot.
I guess just try to show your prof how interested you are, and how good of a job you will do. That and maybe find a back-up prof? Why is this one so important?
I guess just try to show your prof how interested you are, and how good of a job you will do. That and maybe find a back-up prof? Why is this one so important?
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Don't be intimidated. 🙂
Most labs teach you "on the job" and the skill set you need you'll have to learn there, so it's likely that unless your classmates worked in an almost identical lab, they'll be starting more or less at the same place you would be, you'd all have to be retrained. They might have a little more familiarity with gels etc, but most likely it's not something that you won't catch up on pretty quick.
I think if you show a lot of enthusiasm, excitement, and really get it across that you're motivated to learn and to help in any way you can, that you're a quick learner and a good team player, you should do fine. I definitely think attitude will go a long way.
If you do have related skills though, DO play them up. For example, I got my last research job largely due to my computer savy and ability to manipulate databases and learn software, which turned out to be a skill in high demand to anyone doing clinical research that involves statistical analysis. So if you're tech savy, or a gifted grant writer, or a whiz at finding anything and everything in lit searches, those are skills that they might be interested in.
Most labs teach you "on the job" and the skill set you need you'll have to learn there, so it's likely that unless your classmates worked in an almost identical lab, they'll be starting more or less at the same place you would be, you'd all have to be retrained. They might have a little more familiarity with gels etc, but most likely it's not something that you won't catch up on pretty quick.
I think if you show a lot of enthusiasm, excitement, and really get it across that you're motivated to learn and to help in any way you can, that you're a quick learner and a good team player, you should do fine. I definitely think attitude will go a long way.
If you do have related skills though, DO play them up. For example, I got my last research job largely due to my computer savy and ability to manipulate databases and learn software, which turned out to be a skill in high demand to anyone doing clinical research that involves statistical analysis. So if you're tech savy, or a gifted grant writer, or a whiz at finding anything and everything in lit searches, those are skills that they might be interested in.
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Agreed, don't be intimidated. Research seems very whiz-bang from the outside, but really a lot of it is work that a trained monkey can do.
I would look at the web pages for labs at your school, find some that look interesting to you and e-mail/meet in person someone at that lab to talk about possible openings. Not everyone will be interested in taking you in, but I think you'll find that many labs would be thankful for free help. Just make sure you fit in, labs are like social petri dishes - the right fit can be really fun, while a bad fit can make your life miserable.
And on a somewhat unrelated note, it's a bit strange to qualify your lack of research experience with an "it's not my fault!": #1, it's research, not the draft - no one's going to arrest you for not performing research. #2, absolving yourself of responsibility is generally frowned upon in med school. I'm sure there were many factors that made research a less viable option for you, but having worked in research for a while I have a hard time imaging the person who couldn't possibly get some sort of role in research if they really wanted to, and I would look unfavorably upon someone who blamed external sources for their own lack of experience.
That sounds harsh all typed up, so imagine I just said that with gentleness and empathy and you'll get the idea.
I would look at the web pages for labs at your school, find some that look interesting to you and e-mail/meet in person someone at that lab to talk about possible openings. Not everyone will be interested in taking you in, but I think you'll find that many labs would be thankful for free help. Just make sure you fit in, labs are like social petri dishes - the right fit can be really fun, while a bad fit can make your life miserable.
And on a somewhat unrelated note, it's a bit strange to qualify your lack of research experience with an "it's not my fault!": #1, it's research, not the draft - no one's going to arrest you for not performing research. #2, absolving yourself of responsibility is generally frowned upon in med school. I'm sure there were many factors that made research a less viable option for you, but having worked in research for a while I have a hard time imaging the person who couldn't possibly get some sort of role in research if they really wanted to, and I would look unfavorably upon someone who blamed external sources for their own lack of experience.
That sounds harsh all typed up, so imagine I just said that with gentleness and empathy and you'll get the idea.
