By: Tressa Pantalena
For a multitude of reasons, finding research to participate in is daunting and seemingly
impossible, especially if the infrastructure of your university lacks the necessary tools for you to
succeed. However, having research experience in your discipline is an extremely valuable and
marketable resume item that can set you apart on school and job applications.
Within biomedicine and its subgenres, there are a few ways that one can break into
research roles. The first step should always be to consult one’s university professors – almost all
have PhDs, and therefore have extensive research experience in their field. Many institutions are also characterized as research institutions, meaning that there are faculty-run research labs. All you have to do is reach out via email or office hours to find out who is currently taking students, and what trainings you need to do before you start.
It is also very important to make an identity for yourself. Always introduce yourself and
include specific details that communicate your goals and interests. Being a “real” individual
can set you apart from students that send dozens of copy-paste emails. We suggest you create
profiles on LinkedIn and other platforms to ensure that your relevant items are easy to find,
reinforcing your dedication to your field (if you are Googled, having a professional LinkedIn
pop up is ideal).
Tips for finding research opportunities:
LinkedIn Jobs: Great for summer opportunities and part-time/per diem opportunities year round.
When to apply: 1-3 months prior to summer (for summer internships). Part-times can begin even as soon as your interview is over!
Universities in your region: If you look into larger universities in your state (or even your university!) it can reveal summer programs that match your goals. Their target students are usually rising juniors and seniors. Universities tend to bias towards their own students first, but it is extremely common to have a cohort of students from mixed backgrounds.
When to apply: December-March before your target summer (depending on the program’s date). Some applications are due in mid December, and some aren’t due until mid March. It is best to start looking for these at the end of your Fall semester.
The ultimate key to success is to be authentic. Science and research is a highly
competitive and cold field in many ways, so it is easy to lose oneself in an attempt to appear
most qualified. If you’re dedicated and passionate, you will reach your goal eventually, so
being qualified will come with time. The best way to network and build relationships is to
communicate your passions and interests. You can maintain professionalism while having a
personality that sets you apart, which is ultimately even more important than which classes you received an A in. This journey is an extremely daunting one, but that is why Research Girl and
other resources exist to help you. Do not be afraid to cold-email a new person, or submit that
reach application. You never know if you might be the exact person that an employer or
researcher is looking for.
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