Interested in Undergraduate Research?
The College of Engineering offers many opportunities for undergraduate students to get involved in research!
Getting involved in research has been one of the most rewarding parts of my time at Texas A&M University. The process of getting started can be daunting, so here are some tips on how to find a lab and jump in!
1. Reach Out Intentionally
Getting to know professors and finding a place to start can feel overwhelming. You can browse faculty by research area on most department web pages. Reading papers that interest you is also a good way to connect the dots. I was fortunate to do my research with a professor I took a class with because I looked up his work and thought it was interesting.
If you email a professor you don’t know, be professional. Use their title, ask a couple of questions about their work, mention a paper you found interesting and talk about how you could contribute. Attach your resume and ask if they would be willing to meet and see if working together is a good fit. You may not receive a response as professors can be busy; don’t take it personally.
2. Find a Mentor
Most research groups have a variety of graduates, undergraduates and maybe even postdocs. In many cases, you won’t work directly with a professor on a project but with a graduate student.
If you have the option to choose your project, spend some time talking to different people in the lab and seeing what their work looks like on a daily basis. Communication is key. As you grow in the lab, you will become a subject matter expert and direct your own research more. Developing self-advocacy will help you no matter where you go.
3. Jump In!
Starting can be the hardest part, as it takes a lot of time to understand the existing problem and approach. Ask a lot of questions. Research is at the edge of knowledge, and there is so much specificity to learn.
Don’t be afraid to leave your lab and go somewhere else if you don’t feel it’s a good fit. It is better to learn what you don’t like earlier than later, and it gives you a breadth of skills and knowledge you can take to your next experience.
Research is a great opportunity to develop skills and see if a career as a researcher is right for you. I hope these tips will help you get started!
Computer science and Mathamatics, Class of 2024
If you found this blog post interesting, you may consider reading “Finding Your Place in Research: A Guide to Navigating Research Labs” and “The Pursuit.”