To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer. In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript. Undergraduates can benefit from working in a research environment. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience working in a materials-chemistry laboratory at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, for the past two years. Being able to mix an undergraduate education with original research in a proper laboratory has been a fantastic opportunity.
Three months into my first year of college, I contacted a professor about working part-time in their lab, and I was fortunate enough to be recruited. My project resulted in me being named as co-first-author on a paper 1 , and the group feels like family. The experience helped to prepare me for graduate school and made me realize which aspects of science I am passionate about.
However, I also struggled to cope with failure, with balancing my undergraduate classes with research responsibilities and with the internal pressure I imposed on myself to make the project work. Looking back, I wish someone had told me what to expect and offered advice on how to get the most from my research.
Because there are few guides for undergraduate researchers, here is some advice based on my experiences. Learn to think like a scientist. A lot of people start their undergraduate research by glancing at the faculty list and e-mailing multiple professors whose work seems interesting.
Although this might get you a position somewhere, it is not the most effective approach. Before looking at labs, dive into the science to find out which areas fascinate you. Read a lot, go to talks, and talk to your professors not just about their classes, but about science in general as well.
Collection: Conferences and events. Subscribe to e-mail newsletters from journals such as Nature and Science. Try to read research highlights and science news regularly. Podcasts and articles by, for example, Nature , Science , Scientific American or Quanta can also be interesting sources of information.
Follow academics, journals and universities on Twitter. Lastly, interviewers often ask candidates if they have any questions. Check out these interview resources for more tips. New section How to get research experience as a premed student. New section. New section By Aspiring Docs. How hard is it to find lab experience? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. This article is more than 7 years old. Jonida Tafilaku.
Opportunities for science students should be more accessible, writes a biochemistry blogger How to write for Blogging Students. Getting experience in a lab is difficult as a science undergraduate student.
Photograph: Alamy. I absolutely enjoyed this one week course as it has not only given me a chance to broaden my knowledge in scientific research, but also the opportunity to meet other young scientists from all around the world. Natalie and Phil are incredibly passionate and enthusiastic about scince and this passion has definitely passed on to us.
They were always here to help us and guide us through our work, at the same time teaching us how to think critically about the techniques we were using. The Laboratory Skills summer school was a fantastic experience and one that has definitely helped me to obtain new immensely valuable skills. I am feeling much more confident about applying to university and will definitely keep in touch with the BioGrad lecturers.
I have learnt a lot of new skills most importantly to be able to work independently and more confidently in the lab as well as in a group. The BioGrad scientists were very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
I recommend this course to anyone looking for work experience in a lab. Although it was a short course they helped open my eyes to different opportunities for me as a science student. It was worthwhile attending the course as it has given me an insight into what it is like working in labs. Speaking to Natalie and Phil has given me a greater understanding of what possible career I may do in the future. There is something new every day. The skills and experience I gained in such a short amount of time was incredible.
Thank you again. In this time, we learnt, in a completely hands-on procedure, how to execute several essential laboratory experiments which are vital to furthering our experience and employability in our desired field. Furthermore, the expert assistance of Phil and Natalie which was readily available in such small groups allowed us to safely make, identify and learn from any mistakes we made during the course.
As a result, I can say my confidence in laboratory work has been strengthened hugely, and my interest in laboratory work has definitely been piqued. Also, during this time, we learnt practical skills such as organisation and time management, teamwork and cooperation and communication skills, which are important in most any job. Phil and Natalie were always willing to answer any questions on anything to do with laboratory practices to experienced career advice.
A special thanks form me, as the course and advice gave me an insight that made me completely rethink my career prospects! Due to this, I can say this course may have definitely changed my life! I would whole-heartedly recommend the laboratory skills summer school to anybody wanting further experience in Life Sciences, and thank you for an unforgettable 5 days!
I liked the fact that the course was challenging for someone like me who is doing A-levels as it forced me to think about everything I was doing and be thorough with the work. I feel so much more confident carrying out practicals and have come away from the course with a greater sense of knowledge and understanding of many different scientific areas, as well as ideas of what to choose to do at University. A-Level DofE Gold.
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