<p>I'm a freshman in Cornell (class of 2013) and I applied for some summer research assistant positions. I have two interviews this week, but I have little to no idea what to prepare/expect. could someone help me with this please?</p>
<p>positions at cornell? or outside of it?</p>
<p>It’s on campus.</p>
<p>hmm can u post the job descriptions you replied to? are you living in ithaca this summer?</p>
<p>Couple of things –</p>
<p>Make certain you are familiar with the professor, her research, and her academic background. Be sure to read through her CV.</p>
<p>Be able to talk about the courses you have enjoyed this year, any particular academic interests you have developed, and why you are interested in research experience. </p>
<p>Always try to make a personal connection with your interviewer – even chatting about the weather is nice.</p>
<p>Sorry for the vagueness, I realize I should’ve included more information:</p>
<p>the research assistant positions are involved with entomology-related field projects and a plant physiology laboratory project, I think. I’m an interdisciplinary studies major, and I’m kinda worried that I really don’t have much experience in either area of study, but I’m definitely interested in life science (I’m in CALS). I’m living in Ithaca for the summer.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips CayugaRed, I’ll try to do that!</p>
<p>a general idea about what the lab does and why you’re interested in that sort of thing is definitely advisable, like Cayuga said, but since you don’t have to be personally driven by a topic of interest as a research assistant, you don’t have to pretend to be a total expert when there is no reason you should be. you’ll have a chance to learn from the other people around you wherever you end up working.</p>
<p>also, a lot of your specific responsibilities will likely just be the sort of tasks that don’t require much scientific background (carrying, counting, measuring, feeding, etc.) so what’s most important is that you’re a good worker. this kind of goes along with Cayuga’s suggestion about making a personal connection - try to demonstrate that you’d be trustworthy, diligent, and you’d be a pleasant person to work with. (since I’m sure you’re all of these things in reality. )</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>thanks for the tips! Well I guess I’ll try my best.</p>
<p>It always helps if you have an expertise in something. I interviewed with a professor about researching post-WWII conflicts, wowed her with my knowledge of pre-modern military history, got the job, despite not knowing anything related to the project.</p>
<p>Research assistant interviews were generally chill and not very competitive. Half the time they’re not evaluative at all. You just sit there and listen to the PI go on and on about his research and at the very end they’ll ask you, “Is this something you’d like to do?”</p>
<p>So, the only two things you’ll need to prepare are:
- Read up on the person’s research. I mean read the actual papers, not just the 2 paragraph summary they give on the faculty page. Best way to wow someone at a research interview is not with your grades or your prior knowledge of the subject, but with genuine interest and knowledge of what the lab is doing.</p>
<ol>
<li>Display passion and a hardworking attitude. Honestly, I’ve never had a PI that really emphasized grades or knowledge since you’re usually doing something a trained monkey can do. So, don’t worry if you don’t have much background knowledge in what you’re interviewing for. What the PI wants from you is reliability, punctuality, and work ethic. The rest they can train you.</li>
</ol>
<p>Main things:</p>
<p>PROFESSIONALISM! No joke, that makes a world of difference in these kinds of things.
Don’t be boring. You don’t have to be all buddy buddy, but they don’t wanna spend all summer with a brick wall.
Be interested in what they have to do. Ask 'em a few questions about their lab.
Whatever you have on your resume, try and spin it in a way that makes you look appealing as a research assistant. i.e. if you did a Boy Scout Eagle Project, put emphasis on planning and coordinating efforts, something you will do as a research assistant. It’s all about how you present yourself.</p>
<p>Hi</p>
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<p>Best regards.</p>