<p>:( anyone have any experience with research?</p>
<p>Alright, I"ll let you on to something.</p>
<p>I am currently looking for a research internship in a laboratory at one of UCONN's campus branches, and I did emailed many professors, often modifying each email to be tailored to each professor's interests. I had stated why I wanted to work in the lab and what I hope to gain from it. Dont' forget to attach your resume to the emails.</p>
<p>One professor said he is willing to take me in and I would be most likely to work with one of his graduate students. Guess what? The laboratory specialize in mercury and ecosystems!!!! I have nearly no chemical background, even I am taking a introductionary chemistry class now (but that class moves very slowly and we don't learn too much as I would like to). So, I guess I don't have too much a background knowledge in this area, but you got to be willing to work for it.</p>
<p>arrggh, bell rang just now. ttyl.</p>
<p>I did research with professors as an undergrad. In my particular department, everyone wanted to do research with professors, and the number of undergrads in the department was increasing rapidly, so it was very, very competitive. Taking a lab class early (sophomore year) was one of the smarter things I did as an undergrad - it gave me much more credibility. However, I might have managed to land a project before then if I had been less shy, and more willing to email professors who had not advertised any openings (something that I got <em>much</em> better about over time).</p>
<p>I've been involved in cancer research...with the same PI since my sophomore year of HS (6 years). </p>
<p>I applied to the research department through the HS student summer program and was placed in his lab. I didn't know much about his work but the PI is a great teacher and he took half a day with me to discuss the evolution of his research interests and how it relates to what he does today. And now here I am....he moved his entire lab to Tulane Med to start a new phase in his work and he brought me with him :-)</p>
<p>So....what I'm saying, as are many of these other posters...you don't need a solid background in the prof's work. You should obviously know basic science since it's the backbone of everything. And like the professor mentioned...take time in your e-mail inquiries. In my old lab the PI didn't work for a university but he would get e-mails from local students who wanted to do research...but the e-mails were crap. He would interview the student but it was clear the interviewee had no interest in the work...just the possibility of having his/her name on a publication to get brownie points for med/grad school apps.</p>
<p>Bringing yourself up to date with the work isn't tough but...be prepared to read many research articles and to constantly refresh yourself and remember what your work means in the big picture...I have to do it all the time :-)</p>
<p>Awesome thanks for the help you guys</p>
<p>bump bump bump</p>
<p>Is it possible to work with professors in areas besides science? Specifically, sociology?</p>