<p>Last year, I worked as a research assistant for a history professor. However, it worked out in a fortuitous way--I took a seminar with him first semester, earned an A+, and when I was talking to him about my plans for graduate school, he said that he was conducting some research that he could use my help with. The problem is that the professor was a visiting one, as was the other history professor who I had last year. </p>
<p>I'd like to be able to dive right back into research this year, but I'm unsure about how to approach it, if it's acceptable to ask a professor who you haven't had yet for a class. I'm also not sure which type of professor is better to approach--one who is well established and tenured, or one who is a newly minted PhD, and thus will be looking to publish and gain tenure. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any suggestions on the matter?</p>
<p>For history, there isn't that much you can do unless you're advanced in languages that they could use an extra set of eyes for translation.</p>
<p>I think for starters, you can approach various professors and just introduce yourself and ask about their research. Professors loveeee talking about their research! Then ask them about what they're trying to do at the moment and if what the professor needs to do at the moment seems doable for you, you can try to pipe in and ask if they need help with that.</p>
<p>Or, you can come up with an independent study topic and approach a professor in that particular field and tell him/her about your proposal and see from there. You'd get to do your own independent research which looks much better for graduate schools than assisting professors.</p>
<p>in my dept. (psychology) we are encouraged to just be direct with profeesors, even ones we've never met when it comes to research opportunities. just shoot them an email or find out their office hours and visit them if you can. good luck!</p>