Given the current circumstances of the world, the pursuit of “normal” often seems almost ludicrous. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way we interact with each other, take classes and so much more, life must go on.
As students graduate and begin their job search or post-graduate plans, graduate schools and potential employers will still be scouring resumes and cover letters looking for students who made the most of their undergraduate experience. One way to maximize your time as an undergrad is to enrich your college experience by engaging in research.
Participating in research has a plethora of benefits and can make you stand out as an applicant on a grad school or job application.
Jeff Hartman, the assistant director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Office of Experiential Education and First Year Experience, explained that students have a variety of options when it comes to research as an undergrad. When looking for research opportunities, the first place he recommends to start is with your professors.
“What I usually recommend students do for their first step is always to talk to a current or past faculty member to ask them about any research opportunities. If faculty are not currently working on a project, they may have a colleague who is looking for students to help with a project,” said Hartman.
Connecting with professors in your field of interest can be a great way to form connections and develop meaningful relationships with your professors. When the time comes for letters of recommendation, having a solid, working relationship with someone in your field of interest can be a huge plus.
“If students need a letter of recommendation for professional or graduate school, they have a relationship with the faculty member who can talk about their skills, their knowledge and their ability to apply those concepts in a real-life situation,” said Hartman.
Students can utilize the NSU subject matter experts tool on NSU’s website to locate and contact faculty members who have a wide breadth of knowledge in a given area. For example, if a student is interested in cancer research, reaching out to a professor who already works with this topic can be the perfect place to start.
From completing a literature review to doing data entry or analyzing data, there are many ways students can engage in the process of research. The Office of Undergraduate Research also provides tools for students to help them find research opportunities (and even earn ExEL units while doing it). Compiled lists of opportunities in different colleges and departments at NSU, summer experiences and other off-campus opportunities can be found on the office’s website and are a great resource to help students pursue their research interests. Handshake is also a helpful way to locate and apply for research positions.
Hartman also explained that engaging in research can develop time management skills, help you hone your independence, improve your problem-solving abilities and apply concepts you learn in the classroom to real-life experiences.
If students have any questions about finding a mentor or research opportunity, Hartman encourages them to reach out to the Office of Undergraduate Research to see what opportunities are best for them and how they can get involved.
As you start this new semester, remember to take advantage of your time at NSU and utilize available resources to help you gain the NSU edge.
