How to Get a Research Position Without Experience
- 1). Narrow the areas of research you want to be involved in. If you studied economics, for instance, decide which areas of the field interest you most. Identify specific issues in the field you want to research. Inquire in your department about existing research positions to help you decide which one is most suitable for you. Your undergraduate advisor might also give you valuable information about existing research positions in the area you're interested in.
- 2). List at least six professors in your field involved in the kind of research in which you're interested. You can find more information about research positions from students already working with professors.
- 3). Go to the professor's web page and look at the kind of research they are doing. University professors usually maintain web pages. Research their pages thoroughly. The detailed information you glean from their websites about research projects they are doing can help you sound informed and intelligent when being interviewed for a research position.
- 4). Email the professors once you're ready to meet and ask them about research positions. Make it clear in your email that you want to discuss a research position so that they will set aside enough time to sit down and discuss any available research positions and what the job entails.
- 5). Continue approaching professors even if your first efforts don't succeed. To increase your chances of being hired, target professors who don't have too many students working for them. Sometimes they are limited by the amount of funding available for student assistants. Consider a volunteer position if funding is the main constraint. The experience you gain will increase your chances of being hired and getting paid when funding eventually becomes available.