How to Obtain Research Assistant Positions

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
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<p>Hey guys how are all of you guys doing? I'm really glad I found this forum because for the last couple of months I've been anxiously wanting answers for many of my questions.</p>

<p>So I'm seriously thinking about graduate studies in psychology and for an individual to gain admissions to top tier psych programs you have to have some research under your belt to be considered a serious applicant along with the good GPA, good test scores, letters of recommendation, etc.</p>

<p>I've researched the psychology site and noticed a database of all research assistant positions that are currently offered to undergraduates. Or so I thought. I emailed numerous individuals for the position and they have either told me they are no longer looking for assistants, have not even bothered to respond, or they've gotten back to me saying they'll inform me of the position more as the fall nears. The latter response seems promising but what if I can't get a research position?</p>

<p>Are there any ways I could secure a research assistant position as a second-year undergraduate or is this daunting task just impossible? Any input at this point would aide me. Thanks in advance.</p>

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<p>Well you took the right first step in emailing all the faculty. What really helps though is if a) you do it far before you actually want to do the research and b) if you know the someone in the faculty beforehand. One of my roommates is doing research with the EE department for the summer (FWIW he says their research is going nowhere). How did he get it? He found it from one of his TAs last quarter. He went into office hours every week, got to know the TA, and at the end of the quarter the TA asked if he wanted to do research over summer. It was that easy. Like many things in life, it's not always what you know but who you know.</p>

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<p>email every single psych professor, and ask if there is anything you can do to help them out in their lab or personal side projects. </p>

<p>(if you are interested in phd programs, it would be extremely beneficial for you to work with someone who has similar research interests as you.)</p>

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<p>you don't have to have everything arranged before you show up! If you start talking to profs in person (and get to know your TAs) my bet is something will turn up within a quarter or two.</p>