By: Ilana Cohen of @psychgradnetwork on Instagram
How to get the most out of your early research experiences
So you sent the cold emails, you did the interviews, and you got the research job! Congratulations! Now, you might be wondering: what’s next?
I’ve worked in 4 different labs and research centers, and while research positions have a huge level of variation, here are some tips I find helpful to keep in mind:
Go slowly and ask questions.
Nobody is expecting you to know everything at first, and the nature of research is hyper-specific knowledge. It’s completely understandable to feel a little lost at first, and research is all about asking questions, so have at it!
Follow both the small and the big picture.
As an undergrad in a lab, you’re likely going to start off by doing some really small tasks. I’ve found that just focusing on the day-to-day can be somewhat tiresome, and it’s much more rewarding once you to take some time to read related research papers, think about the broader scope of the study, and gain an understanding of where your day-to-day tasks fit into the goals of the study as well as the field.
Expect and accept lots of corrections!
When I got my first draft returned from my PI, I was a bit shocked by the sheer number of comments. Most of my course professors hardly commented on my writing, so I wasn’t used to the level of feedback. It was only after seeing my mentor, a PhD student I worked with, get a similar response that I felt better about my own draft. I’ve since learned that it’s extremely common for professors to lovingly tear up your drafts. Nobody is born knowing how to do academic writing, and professors tend to be detail-oriented and have strong opinions about writing. So know that this attention is a labor of love, and it’s also ok to disagree with some of them :)
Get to know other people in your lab, both your peers and those higher up!
I’ve found it super helpful to accept every meeting when the opportunity comes up. Find a time to talk to them about their experience and research interests. You may learn about a new interest, get a new opportunity, or make a new mentor.
Know that slowly but surely, it will get less intimidating.
Research can be super scary, and it can be extra challenging if you’re underrepresented in research. But there are lots of resources here for you, and everyone starts somewhere. A lot of academia is artificially complicated – if you’re struggling with academic language, know that being a good communicator and being able to explain things in simple terms is extremely valuable. If you’re struggling with learning about a new field, just take it day by day. Find the people you can lean on, believe in your ability to grow, and know that you got this!being a good communicator and being able to explain things in simple terms is extremely valuable. If you’re struggling with learning about a new field, just take it day by day. Find the people you can lean on, believe in your ability to grow, and know that you got this!
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