Tips | wsuresearchwarriors

Our Feedback to Your Common Questions:

What are some resources for finding research openings in specific fields (specifically engineering?)

For engineering, WSU Handshake is a great online site for jobs and many of the organizations are posting summer research programs now: https://engineering.wayne.edu/career/students/handshake.php
UROP Connect is a resource particularly for WSU undergraduate research openings. You can search for a particular field or key word there: https://uropconnect.wayne.edu/
Some students have found research positions here with a Work Study program: http://careerservices.wayne.edu/student-employment.php
We Research Warriors organize Networking Events every semester that invites various labs across the campus: http://wsuresearchwarrior.wixsite.com/wsuresearchwarriors/networking-events
We Research Warriors sometimes circulate research opportunities information through our emails, subscribe here: http://wsuresearchwarrior.wixsite.com/wsuresearchwarriors/become-a-research-warrior
Get to know someone who researches in that field. We Research Warriors are starting a Student Mentorship Program that pairs you up with a current research student in the field you are interested in: http://wsuresearchwarrior.wixsite.com/wsuresearchwarriors/mentor-program
Attend research conferences, research fairs, and seminars that frequently occur on campus:
- UROP Conference: http://urop.wayne.edu/conferences.php
- CLAS Research Fair: http://clas.wayne.edu/ugr/
- Research fairs in each department individually – ask the departmental advisors
- Seminars in various departments – flyers around their buildings

2. I want to find a research position that is available to a post-bachelor with limited experience.

WSU Career Services website sometimes has research job postings for post-bachelor students: http://careerservices.wayne.edu/
Go to the department’s website and browse the research areas and research faculty members for detailed project information and contact information

3. How do I find a lab if I don’t have any prior experience?

Start with volunteering – a chance for both you and the employer to get to know each other and the suitable projects that you are capable of doing
Register a Directed Study course – you get the experience and the credit at the same time. It’s also much easier to find a lab this way.

4. How do I build up my resume in order to volunteer at a research lab without any prior experience?

5. Is there a particular quality faculty members look for to take in undergraduate volunteers?

This is not a quality but what most faculty members like to look for when recruiting research volunteers is that they are Freshmen or sophomore. If you know you want to go into research apply early while you can but it's not too late if you're a junior or senior there are still faculty members that wills still bring you into to research.
Another thing is that most faculty members like to look for volunteers that can commit time. Research takes time and most faculty members want to bring in people that can put in time mostly 15 to 20 hours a week because they want you to learn as much as possible through hands on experience.
Principal investigators or research supervisors really like commitment and reliability in an undergraduate student

6. What skills are desired/useful in all research situations? How are these skills acquired & improved?

As student researchers, it is also our goal to constantly improve our skills in research. The experimental methodology skills depend on the specific area you are in. I can suggest a few general ways to upgrade yourself:
- Have a habit of reading research journals on your field to stay to update
- Attend conferences and talk to your peers and get inspired
- When you are ready to present your research, or write an abstract, attend some Research Writing Workshops such as those ones we are having that may help you stand out: http://wsuresearchwarrior.wixsite.com/wsuresearchwarriors/research-writing-workshops

7. Tips on reaching out to research professors

Know the research topic/area well: read the background information and publications
Attend their research seminars
Approach them individually and professionally
Express your passion – keep on trying even if you are being added on the waitlist; be specific about what in particular that interest you and why
Mention what you can help with – the particular skills that you have that fit their
Highlight your strengths to make up for your lack of experience: good understanding of the topic, strong academic background, fast learner, positive research attitude, relevant courses taken, commitment, etc.
Start with the professors that teach you or know you; or get to know them better - go to their office hours and chat. It works!

8. I’d like to hear about professors’ experiences with research before they earned their Ph.D.

The Dine with Professors event we hold every fall semester is a perfect opportunity to ask questions like that in a social setting: http://wsuresearchwarrior.wixsite.com/wsuresearchwarriors/networking-events
You can also ask this question at our Research Writing Workshop series where research professors will be invited to show us some of the strategies for research writing: http://wsuresearchwarrior.wixsite.com/wsuresearchwarriors/research-writing-workshops

9. I’d like to hear how alumni chose research over practice. And more information about skills that help with grad school admissions

Lab Fair for Summer Research does just that! You will be able to explore many labs and inquire about their experiences. Here’s to RSVP: https://goo.gl/forms/2xIrNaX6PRHXSZyL2
We would also like to pair you with a graduate research student so that you can consult and interact with your Mentor more closely: http://wsuresearchwarrior.wixsite.com/wsuresearchwarriors/mentor-program

Composed by Jenn Dong on February 9, 2017
Edited by Simon Chen on February 11, 2017

Wayne State University