<p>As I will be starting the M.Eng in Manufacturing in January, I was thinking that during my first semester, I should try to gain some research experience in quality control, manufacturing or supply chain by working with a professor.</p>
<p>Although I am more inclined towards working in industry rather than academia, I still think that research will be a valuable experience for me, especially as I want to apply for GSI positions later on.</p>
<p>I am not sure if simply cold emailing professors will work as my requests may simply get ignored.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any recommendations on what strategy I should take in order to search for research opportunities?</p>
<p>Conversely, if anyone currently in IOE knows some professor or GSI that needs a research assistant, please do let me know!</p>
<p>Actually, if you say you will work for free as a masters student, professors will not ignore you.</p>
<p>If I were you, I’d say you are interested in pursuing a PhD and would like to work with a professor in some type of 3 credit independent study for starters. You can contact you graduate coordinator to get the exact class number this 3 credit independent study is. Start e-mailing profs now that you are interested and where you could quickly help with whatever background you have.</p>
<p>…the trick is not to talk about money up front. This give them a chance to look you over before paying you hourly or taking you on as a GSRA (gives a stipend and tuition)</p>
<p>FYI, Michigan is very stingy when it comes to GSIs (Teaching assistants - officially the acronym stands for graduate student instructors). I’ve seen advanced PhD students not get these, and there is a good deal of politiking among faculty about which students get these.</p>
<p>Unless it is offered up front, Michigan engineering very rarely funds a Meng student with a GSI (paying a stipend and tuition). If you want funding the way to do it is attach yourself to a prof.</p>
<p>Don’t say this to a prof. If you want to do research it will take 10+ hours and you should get academic credit, else don’t do it. A few hours a week is not enough to have any impact.</p>
<p>I do research with a professor we both had a couple years ago. It’s just a few hours a week, no major commitment. I just asked after we finished the class if I could do research with them. Though it’s not really in your focus area, if you’re a bit flexible there why not ask them?</p>
<p>I’m assuming you know who I’m talking about. </p>
<p>If not them, how about any professor you had who does research in the area? I don’t know much about the manufacturing or supply chain stuff, but there’s probably a few you know. If you had them before and they liked you, you’re in a better position than cold emailing professors.</p>