should i get a job?

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
21

<p>Hi. I was just wondering, if we work under work-study, will we have to file taxes for the year when the time comes? Or perhaps file tax exempt paper work?</p>

22

<p>is it inevitable that i hafta start w/ the basics of a job/intern/volunteer/reserach? i HATE filing papers, sharpening pencils, etc. :(</p>

<p>i unfortunately don’t have any previous research experience b/c i didn’t take the off campus hs class that gives scientific research opportunities. do some freshmen already have hs experience like that?</p>

23

<p>err.. you always have to start from the bottom. I didnt have prior research experience, nor do I have any currently.</p>

24

<p>Most people are in the same boat as you.</p>

25

<p>

I came in with ~3.5 years reseach experience, prior to attending UCLA, working in a gene mapping lab at Cedars Sinai, earning a Molecular Biology Fellowship at UPenn, working in an AIDS and breast cancer research labs at UCLA. So far I’ve been co-author on 3 papers, 2 abstracts and multiple presentations. Currently, I’m in a Proteomics lab doing 2D & 3D NMR, gathering and analyzing protein crystal structure data. It’s essentially a graduate level project. Hopefully in the next year and a half, I’ll have my first author publication with the NMR project.</p>

<p>Most undergrads start from the bottom, but I’ve been lucky 'cause I’ve always had my own projects even when I first began lab work. Many of the basic molecular bio techniques I initially learned, I taught myself by reading lots and screwing up many an experiment <em>LOL</em> When it was time for me to take lower div Physics, Chem and Bio classes, it was a breeze since I had the advantage of having already applied theory into practical situations.</p>

<p>I’ve seen plenty of undergrads going in and out from the various labs I’ve been in, with many not lasting more than 6-12 months for whatever reason(s). The majority only stay transiently so they can eventually put something on their resum</p>

26

<p>strange… you sound just like one of my friends who also works in a proteomics lab. this friend of mine also did some bio-related research prior to college at similar colleges…</p>