Research experience can be a valuable way to learn more about your choosen field and at the same time have the opportunity to put what you’ve already learned into practice. Experience in a research lab can help you build practical laboratory, research, and work skills while also helping you to develop working relationships with faculty and graduate students. Many students are unsure of how to go about finding such opportunities, though. In a large, research oriented institution like Penn State, it can be a daunting task. The tips below will help you set about finding opportunities that will be well suited for you and your interests.
The BBH Society sponsors a Research Night every spring to help match students interested in gaining research experience with research faculty looking for research assistants. Participating in this activity is an excellent way to get to meet a number of faculty in one place and find out details about working in their labs. NOW is a good time to start preparing for this event by doing your homework and seeking out what opportunities you might most be interested in.
Getting Started:
- Update your resume
- See Career Services for advice
- Create a pared down version with relevant information
- Find out what’s available
- Start with BBH web site (http://bbh.hhdev.psu.edu/lab, see other handout)
- Look at related departments, research centers (e.g., Prevention Research Center, Huck Institute for Life Sciences, Psychology, Social Science Research Institute)
- Consider faculty who are teaching classes of interest to you
- Do your homework!
- Read the information on the faculty web site or lab web site carefully! There may be information already posted regarding the availability of opportunities and how to apply.
- Read papers written by the person with whom you wish to work. Be sure you know what the work is that they are doing. A quick Google search can almost always get you to that person’s most recent publications.
- Pay attention to your emails!
- When faculty need help quickly, the best way they have of contacting you is through the BBH Listserv. If you’re not reading those emails, you could be missing out on opportunities that might be perfect for you!
- Events like Research Night will be announced via email.
- Consider what you have to offer
- Think about what special skills, training, experience you have
- What relevant course work have you taken? What grade did you receive? Relevant projects?
- How do these things match up with faculty research fields?
- How much TIME do you have available? Be realistic!
- Contact faculty and PIs from labs in which you think you would be the best fit
- Email each individual faculty member (do NOT send blanket emails).
- Briefly describe what work they do that’s of interest to you. Be specific!
- Ask for a face to face meeting to discuss any opportunities they may have available for you.
- Attach your resume.
To Do Tips:
Be honest! This is not the place to exaggerate or overstate your qualifications or experience
Do your homework! Find out what work is going on in the PI’s lab. Read their recent publications.
Be realistic! Do not commit to more than you can deliver.
Be assertive. Give a detailed and straightforward accounting of any relevant experience or training. Consider software packages (other than Office), first aid/EMT/CAN/counseling training.
Details count! Be neat. Check spelling and grammar! Ask someone to proof read for you. Use full sentences, a greeting, and a closing in your email!
Be polite and respectful. Use proper forms of address (Dr. is a safe bet). Thank them for their time.
Be considerate. Be on time. Listen actively; take notes. Ask questions. Show a genuine interest.
To NOT Do Tips:
Don’t start out with shortcomings. Don’t start a conversation or meeting with what you can’t do or haven’t done.
Don’t be generic. Be specific in your interests. Demonstrate that you’re familiar with the work and have a genuine interest in it.
Don’t burn bridges. These are small fields where people tend to know one another. Bad mouthing a PI, doing haphazard work, or quitting abruptly can have unforeseen consequences. You have no way of knowing if the PI’s collaborator happens to be on the admissions committee of your dream school.
Don’t send mass emails. It’s clear when your email is vague that you’ve send the same email to multiple people hoping someone will respond.
Don’t be late or miss meetings. Don’t reschedule in less than 24 hours unless it’s absolutely unavoidable.