An Interesting Approach to Proving Research Experience

Graduate School
1

<p>I posted a thread not too long back, and received some excellent advice on pursuing research experience, which I intend to follow. But I do acknowledge the limitations and constraints, particularly that it may be difficult to find a professor - or even an organization in the private sector - who would want to work with an undergraduate without much experience in the field. </p>

<p>So here's my idea. I have, in the past, considered writing to be a pastime of mine, so much so that I even have pieces saved in MS Word on economics, which obviously have not been published in any capacity. I had to wonder why I was suppressing my own voice, even if I don't (yet) have a Ph.D. in the subject, especially when there are a number of resources I could use as a platform. Thus, I am considering launching a blog (what type of host I opt for is up to debate, but I would probably use a free service to begin) where I comment on the economic news of the day, as well as posts from prominent figures in the field. If anything, it could be considered a compilation and analysis of the works of acclaimed figures. </p>

<p>Does anyone have any thoughts, or criticisms, of my idea? Obviously, my intent is to raise my profile, while almost compelling myself to stay up-to-date with the news of the day, and research enough to be able to write effectively. I could even publish research papers on my own - which I had considered doing already, actually. It by no means will supplant professor-guided research, but I do think it is a fascinating way to supplement it.</p>

2

<p>Undergraduates get research experience all the time without a background in the field, so you can get experience despite not having any. You have to start somewhere.</p>

<p>You can write a blog. Many students (mostly grad students) maintain blogs on scientific issues and even occasionally write pieces for newspapers and magazines. But a blog is not going to substitute for research experience, so you still have to get that. Most of all, if you plan to use the blog to help you get into grad school (and it will only serve as an “interest piece” and not any significant part of your admission package), you have to make sure that the blog is GOOD. It has to give thoughtful economic commentary on news, nothing juvenile or that makes you look shallow. You have to make sure that the writing is well proofed and deep.</p>

<p>Don’t count on publishing research papers on your own. It is very difficult for independent scholars to get published, even independent scholars with doctoral degrees and histories of publication. It will be even more difficult for an undergraduate with no record to get published doing independent economic research.</p>