Post-Masters Funding for Research?

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>I'm currently in a Master of Engineering program at Cornell and will be graduating this upcoming May 2012. Since this is a non-thesis program, and I want to pursue a PhD within 2 years, I figured it would be best to get some research experience at a lab in an academic institution. </p>

<p>I emailed a professor whom my mentor directed to towards who was doing work on a field I was interested in. The professor asked if I had my own funding and how long I would be able to stay since they do not accept short-term guests.</p>

<p>I do not have funding obviously since I'm in a professional masters program, but how does one go about getting post-graduate funding? Would it just be better to get a job in industry and get some experience instead of a lab for PhD applications?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>