<p>I'm a rising junior studying computer science. I've been doing research in the same lab for a solid 1.5 years now. They treat me well and I really like working there. I've gotten to co-author two papers (one accepted, one submitted), and if I stay for the fall, I'll almost definitely get to first-author a paper.</p>
<p>However, I don't really think I want to stay in that field long-term (maybe not even short-term). I also don't know many professors and I can't readily think of anyone to recommend me to grad schools other than my current research advisor. I have about 1.5 years left before applying to grad schools, and I've been thinking of switching labs in the fall to get another solid experience before applying.</p>
<p>So, strategically, which is better-- switch labs and potentially have to start over (I'd probably get to author a paper eventually-- my school is starting a program to encourage more CS students to do publishable research) or stay and author another paper? (If it makes a difference, my GPA right now is good-- not perfect, but competitive.)</p>