Three Benefits Of Doing Undergraduate Research Over The Summer
Posted on: 23 May 2018
If you are an undergraduate college student, you might be thinking about what you can do over the summer to help further increase your chances of employment post-college. There are a few choices out there, from finding a low-level job in your field to participating in an internship. However, one of the best choices, especially if you are in a science-related field, is to participate in an undergraduate research project. Here are three benefits of doing so.
1. You will learn more about the field you're pursuing.
Taking classes in the field you are studying usually teaches you a lot of the fundamentals and theory behind that field. However, it does not teach you a lot about what is actually going on in that field or what the modern trends are. When you participate in undergraduate medical research programs for students, you get to experience this reality. You'll be involved directly in a project that is on the forefront of new developments. You may also be invited to attend conferences and seminars during which you can learn about other ongoing research in the field, too. When you later enter the workforce, you will have a better idea of what is out there and what you are interested in.
2. You will meet experts in the field.
Especially at a large college or university, you may not get a lot of time to actually interact with your professors during class. You can start to feel like a number. When you do undergraduate research, you will get to work much more closely with professors in your chosen field. Getting to know them better is definitely a good thing as you will have people to use as references when you later apply for jobs. The professors you get to know may also have connections with employers who can get you interviews and job opportunities.
3. You will learn where your weaknesses lie.
You may be full of factual knowledge, but how are you at using a pipette? Perhaps you struggle to effectively read scientific literature, or maybe you have a hard time collaborating with others. When you work as an undergraduate researcher, you typically have to do all of these things, so you will figure out what you are good at and what you still need to work on. You have time to improve those weak areas before you enter the workforce, which is definitely to your benefit.
Share