<p>is it uncommon for an undergrad to help in research?
I will be a 3rd year petroleum student and I think i'd like to get my masters one day. I figure it might help to show that i have some research experience, and it could be interesting. I have 4 petroleum class as of right now. intro to petroleum, petroleum fluids, reservoir fundamentals, and gas reservoir fundamentals. do i have to wait until 4th year? </p>
<p>Undergraduates do have opportunities to get involved in research at many schools, and doing so does greatly help with graduate admissions. Just make a list of professors in your department whose research interests you and ask around for undergraduate research positions with them. They generally understand that your knowledge of the field is incomplete (after all, you are an undergraduate still). Not all professors hire undergraduates, but many do.</p>
<p>I was involved in undergraduate research and even published an SPE paper… it was a great experience. Start talking to professors and letting them know you are interested.</p>
<p>Absolutely, but you need to go seek out the opportunities yourself. It is unlikely that there will be someone who does matchmaking between undergrads and research groups.</p>