Samhita RaviPre-Med MICRO Senior (with RELGST minor & Managing Health Services Programs & Projects certificate) As a first-year student entering Pitt, it can be a little scary and daunting when it comes to choosing extracurricular activities that might boost your resume. When it comes to balancing your academic and social life, it is especially important to remember to find ways to do activities that you can enjoy, but manage at the same time. One of the most common activities that students ask about is getting involved in independent research. Some common questions about research include:
I would recommend that you wait to start research until you feel comfortable with your class schedule and are fully adjusted to life in college. Students start research at all points in their undergraduate careers - from first term through last term and there is no best answer for everyone. It really depends on your specific circumstances. Some students (including myself) get their feet wet in research during the second semester of their first year after a term of getting acclimated to college life and classes. By this time you may have also established connections with your professors who can help you find research projects. This is helpful as you can either work with these professors on their own projects, or they may be able to connect you with other professors who are currently researching a topic you are interested in. As a first-year student, I found the option of the First Experiences in Research program (FER) which introduced me to many departments that conduct research at Pitt, and gave me hands-on experience in developing my own project, which I presented to students and faculty at the end of the semester. For those looking to start research in the spring (of any year), Pitt offers opportunities for research through the First Experiences in Research program offered by the Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity. Through this program, I did research with a Principal Investigator (PI) within the Department of Psychiatry where I was given the chance to learn about the research process as well as gain experience communicating my science. One may wonder how to begin the process of applying to FER and picking a research project. Here is a timeline of how the process usually occurs:
Participating in FER is a great introduction to research. It can help you decide on what you are or are not interested in as an inexperienced student. But, this is just one of the many ways you can get involved in research. For instance, there is a research database (Pivot) that you can search to find research of interest across the entire Pitt community (including hospitals). You can also check our Departmental research page or search for research pages in other departments of interest (Neuroscience, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Human Genetics, etc.) Another way is to communicate with professors that you have had to ask about research opportunities. If you know a topic that you are interested in but are unable to find research through any of the above options, the next best place to search research is through Google, which is how I have found my current research group! That search box found in all the above options may seem scary at first, but do not be afraid to type something in that box that you find interesting. Overall, make sure to read and check your options before jumping into adding research into your schedule. As always, make sure to manage your time wisely and find research that not only fits your interests, but your schedule as well. If you need help with the FER process or finding research in general, come see the Bio Peer Advisors! My office hours are Tuesdays from 2:30pm to 3:30pm at Langley and feel free to ask about the FER process and my experience!
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January 2022
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