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Outside of coarse work including labs, are their any other ways to gain lab experience to qualify me for research internships and lab positions?
I'm currently an undergraduate freshman studying neuroscience and psychology, looking for research experience. #research #internship #science
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Soha’s Answer
Hi Christopher,
This is a great question. Over the course of my undergraduate psychology program, I was able to find a few ways to gain research experience. These experiences certainly aided me in securing a summer internship as a User Experience Researcher. So I applaud you for thinking about this so early in your college career. This kind of forethought will take you far!
As you noted, college professors often conduct their own research in addition to teaching classes. Many of these professors will recruit students to work in their lab without much former experience (though this work often offers no pay, you may be able to receive course credit for your contributions). If you're interested in neuroscience and psychology, identify some professors in those department(s) whose research you find interesting. Perhaps you've been in a class with one of them, or perhaps you've heard them give a talk or presentation. Whatever the case, make sure to do your research on the professor before hand. Often, you can find a list of their published work on Google Scholar. After you've identified some professors whose research interests you, and done some investigation into their scholarly work, the next step is to find out if they offer student positions in their lab(s). Often, the only way to find out is to ask, but I recommend doing this in person. Schedule an office visit with each of these professors, express your interest in their work, and communicate your desire to contribute. They may or may not be able to offer you a position, but they will almost always admire you for asking.
In my experience, the best way get on a professor's radar is to make yourself visible to them. Make time to ask questions and show your genuine interest in their work. This paired with your own solid academic record will make you a great candidate for a lab position.
This is a great question. Over the course of my undergraduate psychology program, I was able to find a few ways to gain research experience. These experiences certainly aided me in securing a summer internship as a User Experience Researcher. So I applaud you for thinking about this so early in your college career. This kind of forethought will take you far!
As you noted, college professors often conduct their own research in addition to teaching classes. Many of these professors will recruit students to work in their lab without much former experience (though this work often offers no pay, you may be able to receive course credit for your contributions). If you're interested in neuroscience and psychology, identify some professors in those department(s) whose research you find interesting. Perhaps you've been in a class with one of them, or perhaps you've heard them give a talk or presentation. Whatever the case, make sure to do your research on the professor before hand. Often, you can find a list of their published work on Google Scholar. After you've identified some professors whose research interests you, and done some investigation into their scholarly work, the next step is to find out if they offer student positions in their lab(s). Often, the only way to find out is to ask, but I recommend doing this in person. Schedule an office visit with each of these professors, express your interest in their work, and communicate your desire to contribute. They may or may not be able to offer you a position, but they will almost always admire you for asking.
In my experience, the best way get on a professor's radar is to make yourself visible to them. Make time to ask questions and show your genuine interest in their work. This paired with your own solid academic record will make you a great candidate for a lab position.
Thank you Soha for the response, I'll definitely take your advice on trying to get close with the professors, maybe through office hours or as you suggested making sure to ask questions in lecture. Thank you for the help, much appreciated.
Christopher
Updated
Tyler’s Answer
You have the right idea to start getting lab experience as soon as possible. @Ariane's advice can also be extended to asking the professors that teach your psychology and neuroscience classes to see if those professors have any opening for undergraduate research assistants in their labs. Psychology professors tend to need a lot of research assistants to help with their studies.
You can also look for a National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) project at your university. The NSF REU program is designed to create opportunities for paid research experiences for undergraduates that are working on larger NSF funded grants. You can search for current REU opportunities at the NSF REU website.
https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp
Psychology and neuroscience will be found in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic sciences section.
You can also look for a National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) project at your university. The NSF REU program is designed to create opportunities for paid research experiences for undergraduates that are working on larger NSF funded grants. You can search for current REU opportunities at the NSF REU website.
https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp
Psychology and neuroscience will be found in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic sciences section.
Thank you for the response Tyler, and the link as well. I'll definitely apply to two REU opportunities I found on that since the deadline has't passed yet. Thanks for taking time to help me out.
Christopher
Updated
James’s Answer
The above suggestions are terrific advices. You might also consider coop education as well as summer internship with one or more conpanies.
As always hard work and enthusiasm are dutifully noted by college professors and classmates.
Good luck
As always hard work and enthusiasm are dutifully noted by college professors and classmates.
Good luck
Updated
Ariane’s Answer
If you're enrolled in a current lab, ask your professor if there are any research projects they may know of that you can shadow and perhaps volunteer as a lab technician/assistant. Even if you're just cleaning up things or keeping data organized you'll get an opportunity to be exposed to all sorts of projects.
If you're not enrolled in any yet, make an appointment with your counselor to ask about what professors are working on at your campus and how you might make sometime to meet with them.
If you're not enrolled in any yet, make an appointment with your counselor to ask about what professors are working on at your campus and how you might make sometime to meet with them.
Thanks for the advice Ariane, I'll definitely check out the volunteer aspect you suggested, I hadn't considered that possibility before. Appreciate you taking the time to respond.
Christopher