<p>Hey guys, new to these boards. I'm majoring in mech engineering. Current in my 6th semester and will graduate May 2014. Planning on going to grad school. </p>
<p>I took a class last semester and asked the professor who taught the class if I could start doing some research with him. He was pretty welcoming. This week, he said he was trying to figure out things for me to do and also told me to talk to one of his grad students to see if he needs help. I did that and to my displeasure, I know this grad student (Let's call him AB). There has been no altercations between us, but AB used to do research right by a lab I worked at last year. The graduate students there constantly complained about AB and said things like "AB doesn't know what he's doing" or "keep him out of the lab, he just breaks things." I'm not sure if AB knew they said all these things about him, but now I am pretty sure AB is working at this current lab I'm at because his previous adviser didn't want to advise him anymore. </p>
<p>There was also this one time where I helped him with something for like 10 minutes (keep in mind, I don't even work in his lab, so I have no obligation to help him) and he asked me later if I could come in on the weekend to help him do some menial work. I didn't hesitate to tell him I won't. I mean, really dude? I don't even work for your lab and helped you because I was feeling nice.
I know I shouldn't be so quick to judge, but during those 10 minutes I was already a bit frustrated with the guy. His approaches to solve basic non-engineering problems was just dumb and reminiscent of what the other grad students have said about him. </p>
<p>This guy's foreign, so I'm not sure if that'll affect anything I'm describing. I don't want to sound racist or anything, but I've had some bad experiences in the past with people from his country. I think it's more of a culture barrier and they don't realize what things should be said and what shouldn't. He speaks and understands English just fine, so I'm positive there's no misunderstanding here. </p>
<p>So anyways, at this lab, he wants me to do some cleaning "at first." From my conversation with him, he seems kind of lazy, because he told me he hasn't cleaned his work space because he doesn't have time. OK. whatever. a little cleaning "at first" shouldn't be too much of a problem right?.. He did say after doing the cleaning, he'll let me join his project.
I'm worried about this "cleaning duty" becoming a regular thing. Keep in mind, I'm VOLUNTEERING and not paid. I did some of this at my previous lab, but I was paid and also young at the time. It seems normal for younger undergrads to start out doing the menial work. Now, I'm a junior and have research experience under my belt. </p>
<p>AB also asked me today how many hours/week I would be at the lab. I said "around 10." He didn't say anything to that, but he didn't look very happy either. From my past experiences and from what I've heard, I think he's expecting me to help him a lot, and probably with a lot of the menial work. Anyways, he just texted me and told me "I got some things that you need to clean. I left them by blah blah blah." I don't wanna whine too much here....but that sounds like he thinks he's my boss or something and seemed forceful with the "you need to clean." My first day and it already appears he thinks he's my boss lol. Again, I'm volunteering. Whatever, I'm not gonna think too much of this as he's foreign.</p>
<p>I don't know much about the guy, but to be quite frank, I'm not sure if I trust him. He seems pretty selfish. If it was any other guy I wouldn't complain and actually I would be happy to do it as long as it's a short term thing. But this guy.....just seems SO LAZY. He also doesn't seem like the guy who would attribute any of his success to me. By this, I mean if he happened to write a paper where I contributed significantly to, he probably wouldn't add my name. This isn't what I'm worried about. I'm worried that when it's time for me to ask the professor for a letter of recommendation, the professor might ask AB about me and to which AB might downplay some of my contributions. </p>
<p>As for the professor, he's pretty nice to me. I got the vibe that he probably doesn't like AB very much. Nothing has implied that; just a hunch. AB said he discussed with the prof what he wants me to help him with, but I think he left out the menial work part. </p>
<p>Some might suggest that I switch labs, but I don't want to do that so early and there really aren't any other labs accepting undergrads. I'm also nearing graduate school application time, so I would like to get an additional letter writer. </p>
<p>I know it's common for undergrad researchers to do some labor/menial work, but aren't they usually paid? Or do volunteers have to do some of this too? Should I reemphasize to him that I'm not being paid and you (AB), technically, isn't my boss? </p>
<p>Hypothetically speaking, if all this guy does is make me do his dirty work, what's the professor going to say about me in a LOR. "So or so worked in my lab and did a bunch of labor work?..."
I want to learn, especially given that I'm not a freshman, sophomore, or just starting my first research experience. </p>
<p>Sorry, didn't realize I wrote so much!</p>