How to get research experience

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

You must inquire with a professor at the university in order to get research experience. It helps if you have already taken a class with the specific professor, and especially if you have already established a relationship outside of their class.

However, you do not have to be in or have taken a professor's class to request a research position. Send a formal email to the professor requesting a research assistant position.

In your email, include your major and year in college. Then, and this is crucial, express your interest in a particular paper of the professors or in a topic that you know they study. Set out your research intentions and career goals, and highlight any skills or achievements that make you stand out as a great candidate for the research assistant role.

If you don't hear back within a week, a quick follow-up email is recommended to reiterate your interest to the professor.