Getting Started in Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate research is a high-impact experiential learning opportunity that can support your academic and career development in a variety of ways, regardless of your discipline or future goals. Undergraduate research can take many forms, and yields benefits similar to work experience, practicums, internships, and other hands-on learning experiences.
Why do undergraduate research?
- Undergraduate research is a great way to get real-world, hands-on experience in your area of interest.
- Through research, you can develop a variety of technical and transferable skills that most employers look for when hiring.
- Undergraduate research is an excellent way to explore your career interests and uncover new career options.
- Many graduate schools and professional schools favour applicants with prior research experience, and undergraduate research allows you to explore whether graduate/professional school is right for you.
- Undergraduate research can help make your coursework more meaningful, by allowing you to see connections between theory and application. It might even help improve your grades!
- Undergraduate research can help you build both professional and social connections -- with professors, other students, maybe even a future employer!
No matter your discipline or your reason for getting involved, undergraduate research can help you make the most of your degree, and help prepare you for a variety of future academic and career opportunities.