Top 5 ways to get into research as an undergraduate student
Research is either a career goal or hopeful stepping stone for many college students, particularly those wanting to pursue STEM fields. The hope for most of these students is that they will get involved in research during one or more years of their undergraduate degree, and that will provide them with the experience, skills, and connections necessary to propel them to prestigious positions in further degrees or their careers. I have been lucky enough to take part in research during my undergraduate computer science degree, and I would love to share some tips with any other students hoping to do the same.
1. Talk to one of your professors
This is the tried and true (and well known) standard entrance into research as an undergrad, but I think it is still worth mentioning. It’s relatively likely that you will end up enjoying one of your major classes, and you should try to make that known to the professor when it happens. If you develop a relationship with that professor, you can then approach them about any projects they’re currently working on or know of. If you express your interest in the field, the coursework, and the work that they are doing, it’s pretty likely they will offer or recommend you for a research assistant position. Whether paid or unpaid, this is a great option and is often the first step for students interested in pursuing research during their degree or as a career.
2. Summer programs at your university
Summer internships are a common topic on the minds of many college students, and there are programs available for research that utilize the same timeline. These are obviously more specific to each university, but most universities that regularly conduct research have summer programs for students. At DePaul, for example, there are a few different options, like the Undergraduate Summer Research Program (USRP) and Dean’s Undergraduate Fellowship. These are paid programs and are open to a ton of different areas of study. Much of the work is similar to that of a typical research assistant, however the extra time that students have during the summer can accelerate the course of their projects. These two are the main examples at DePaul, but again most universities with regular research will have very similar programs you can apply for.
3. Opportunities with NSF and other public institutions
In general, I think these are typically the most exciting opportunities and often the most prestigious. It’s obviously very nice to participate in research at your university, but working with institutions that are nationally funded and accredited can be extremely valuable for both your resume as well as your skills and expertise. One of the most prestigious and sought after opportunities is a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). These offer high pay, free housing, and cutting edge research opportunities at prestigious universities and institutions throughout the country. Opportunities like those are available through other publicly-funded organizations like NSF and can be found through their websites. It’s also very helpful to look into any national labs or programs that exist around your university, or if you are really interested you can look into programs and labs across the country. There is a lot of public funding for research, and if you do enough searching you can find some very cool opportunities to work with those programs as an undergrad.
4. Keep an eye out for conferences and other events
This option goes along with the previous mention of working with labs and other public institutions in your area. I like to always do a quick online sweep every few weeks to see if any new conferences or research events have been announced in Chicago that apply to my field. If you have ongoing or finished research, you can usually apply to have it included at these events and be given the privilege to present it. If not, you can sign up to attend and use the event to learn more about your field and network with other researchers and professionals. A great aspect of being an undergrad is that you can often get assistance or full coverage of any fees if you make a case to your university. I would urge you also to not limit your search to just strictly traditional research events, going to more modern and less-traditional networking events for your industry can be very beneficial and help you learn what it’s like to actively work at a top company or lab.
5. Expand your search!
This is the final option for this list, which is purposeful. This is a non-traditional and less guaranteed route. Expanding your search can mean a lot of different things. First, look into other universities near yours to see if they have programs open to students from other schools. You can also look into research opportunities in the corporate world at various companies, although those are few and far between. Another option is to contribute to open-source or public projects, you can look for these online or potentially in the city/area that your school is in. Again, options in this category are non-traditional and more rare, so do not expect to find incredible options. These can be your last-resort options to get some experience under your belt, and they can help you land better opportunities in the future.
Obviously, all of these tips should be taken with a grain of salt. Every university is different, and every program within those universities is different. These are simply some tools you can use if the situation calls for it, but ultimately it is up to you to land a research position if you want one. Keep searching, keep an open mind to all possibilities, and you will find a role that will serve you well.
~Jeff