<p>Hello!</p>
<p>Ok, this is my first time on this site so I'll introduce myself really quickly. I am graduating this semester with a Bachelors of Science in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota. I have a 3.5 gpa, and I am graduating after only 2.5 years at college. </p>
<p>I am currently looking at getting a job in management at a local retail store to start paying back my loans. However, I am considering the possibility of going back to school, but I am actually more interested in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior than Animal Science as far as research goes. I haven't done any research at the undergraduate level, so I would like to try doing something in the field before I think about spending the next 3-7+ years preparing for a research career! (I would probably be more interested in going for a PhD than a masters, but I would really have to research it more). </p>
<p>I would probably end up going back and retaking a few classes as well to up my GPA, because it could definitely be higher. I haven't taken the GRE yet, but am looking at taking a free practice one in the next few months to see where I would fall, and see if this is even an option for me! I've done really well on standardized tests in the past, but those were just the high school ACT and SAT, not a college GRE so I have no idea how I'd fall in that! </p>
<p>Now, I am willing to travel to do this research, or even volunteer my time if that would be necessary. I am mostly interested in doing something regarding parrot behavior in the wild - I have done a lot of work with captive parrots, and personally I think I would find that the most interesting. I have found a program that accepts volunteers to help with research in Peru, but I haven't contacted them yet to see if you have to be a graduate student or not to be involved (I don't think you do). But I don't really know how to locate research opportunties like this - this was just a fluke from a nonprofit group I happen to know of. Is this common that research projects need volunteers to help them? </p>
<p>I would also have the opportunity to conduct my own research project, with possible presentation at the Association of Avian Veterinarians Conference, through a parrot welfare organization I interned with as an undergraduate. However, this wouldn't be field research, and wouldn't be related to animals in the wild. It would involve going through old files to compare the species, ages, and reasons for surrender for parrots to look for trends in rehoming of captive parrots. So I don't know how relevant it would be, but perhaps it would be a good idea to do for my resume and for applying to grad school if I decide on that route. </p>
<p>Anyways, sorry that this is so long! If I didn't get my point across, my main question is how I could conduct some research as a graduated bachelors degree student to gain experience and see if this is the field for me. </p>
<p>Thanks a ton for your time!</p>