<p>Note: I am interested in Biology or possibly Psychology-related research.</p>
<p>This semester, my classes are spaced out in such a way that I have no large chunks of time available early in the day, and classes end every day at either 2:40 or 4:25pm. Is this likely to present a problem for getting into a lab? I am willing to work past 6:00pm in order to complete the ~10 hour weekly time commitment...but do many labs have people working that late who could train me? Should I tell the professors upfront when I email them about this potential time constraint? Would they be less likely to admit me into their lab under these circumstances, or is this a fairly common enough occurrence? </p>
<p>If that wouldn't work, is it considered acceptable to work for less than 10 hours instead? Especially given the fact that this semester, I am probably only volunteering, rather than doing research for credit.</p>
<p>I am a sophomore, and this is my first semester looking into getting research experience. Any advice would be really, really appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>it’s possible you could find a place for yourself even if you could only be there 3-4 hours a week. it varies from lab to lab, and even from project to project within a lab. same goes for the hours, really. most lab-worker people I’ve observed tend to leave around dinnertime, but maybe you and a night-owl could get a lot of work done. I think you should be very upfront about your time constraints, although you should frame it positively (“I can work everyday from 4:30-6 pm for sure, and then some days even earlier”) rather than focusing on your busy midday. also, if you think you might like to work in this same lab in the future, you should say something to that effect. if you make a good impression, but just can’t work because of time, professors may very easily remember you the next time an undergrad position opens up.</p>
<p>Thanks for your earlier reply faustarp. I actually have another research-related question; if anyone could answer, that would be great.</p>
<p>How common is it for people to switch labs (possibly more than once)? Is the expectation that you commit to a certain lab for a large portion of your college career, or is it ok to try a lab out for just a year or maybe even a semester? It’s not that I plan on jumping around randomly; I just have the feeling that it might take some time to find the best fit for me, since I’m still somewhat unsure about what I like/want to do with my life.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I have heard of some people switching around, and some people who stick with one place…I’ve observed it in my own lab, and I’ve talked to a lot of my fellow bio majors.
I suggest that you ask up front what the time horizon about the time horizon of the project, and if it’s important to them that you’re around for a while, they’ll let you know. if you cold-approach professors (sending emails) you might word it to make it clear that you’re looking to work in a lab this semester, but not necessarily long-term.
if the move from lab to lab that you make makes sense, that will also help. if it’s a move made completely in good spirit, then perhaps your previous research professor would put in a good word for you at the new place.
I guess the last thing to remember is that just like in any job/responsibility, if you are going to quit, you need to give people a few weeks of notice!</p>