Students Seek Research Opportunities Without Prior Experience
16 posts across 6 communities in the last 60 days; 25% from r/PhD.
“Hello guys, I am currently masters student and thinking about where I'd like to continue with my PhD. I decided that I would like to try to do an unpaid internship first at a different country and I want to cold email the research group so I would be very glad for any advice! I…”
“I'm starting to cold email professors in charge of neuroscience research labs at my university. How in the world am I supposed to explain my prior experience when I have no prior experience?? I'm contemplating just writing, "To be perfectly honest, I don't have any research…”
“Like the title says I have little research experience but its due to the fact that my school isn't really a research school and I couldn't do summer internships as I had to help take care of my dad who was dying so I couldn't go far from home and there was simply nothing in my…”
Multiple students are exploring research internships and PhD programs despite lacking prior research experience. They're seeking advice on securing internships, contacting professors directly, and preparing for the demands of a research-focused environment.
SOURCES (16)
“Hello guys, I am currently masters student and thinking about where I'd like to continue with my PhD. I decided that I would like to try to do an unpaid internship first at a different country and I want to cold email the research group so I would be very glad for any advice! I wrote my BSc. thesis and currently doing my MSc. Thesis because of a paper this research group published. I read it about 5 years ago and found it the most interesting thing I have ever read and decided that I want to”
“I'm starting to cold email professors in charge of neuroscience research labs at my university. How in the world am I supposed to explain my prior experience when I have no prior experience?? I'm contemplating just writing, "To be perfectly honest, I don't have any research experience but I'm a hard worker and fast learner," but that's probably too honest. Does anyone know how to gracefully answer this? I'm really enthusiastic about research, but it feels like t”
“Like the title says I have little research experience but its due to the fact that my school isn't really a research school and I couldn't do summer internships as I had to help take care of my dad who was dying so I couldn't go far from home and there was simply nothing in my area pertaining to geology. I am wanting to email some professors at grad schools I am looking at but I worry that the research I do have is not relevant enough to interest any of them (my research is in geolog”
“Hey everyone! I was looking into applying for a CompSci-related PhD in the next couple of years in interest of getting into academia. I would be grateful to some of you if you could enlighten me on where my chances stand and to temper my expectations accordingly. I have worked in Big Tech for the last 2 years out of college (Undergrad) at a T10 school and will work for perhaps 2 more years before I apply for my PhD. I didn't have any research experience in college, and I realistically don”
“How do you get in to research with no prior experience?? I didn’t do any in undergrad but now can’t seem to find a way in. submitted by /u/miniboss0 [link] [comments]”
“I’m not American - I’ll be an international student. I’ve had a thesis in undergrad and a capstone project in MS but that’s about it when it comes to “pure research”. I want to ideally pursue a PhD in Business, mostly a STEM subject. Is my background something a PhD program accepts? What are the career options for someone who does indeed pursue it? Any suggestions/tips are welcome. Field - PhD in business Location - USA submitted by /u/New_Butterscotch2335 [link] [comments]”
“TL;DR: how to get research opportunities while working full-time with no research background + the university I did my undergrad is like 1000 miles away or something like that (so can’t just go back to old profs unless remote)? I graduated already and I’m working full-time as a SWE new grad in the Bay Area. I’m wondering if anyone has experience with trying to do some research on the side at a university or something when you’re no longer a student. Or if anyone knows of any opportunity here. I”
“Hello, Last week it marked one whole year applying for research jobs with no sucess. I landed a few interviews, but there was always someone with more experience or whatever. I have had only one postdoc, which I had some issues with the PI and I did not develop much experience in key areas that could help my career. Although I feel that's the end for my """"career""", I would like to still try to work towards developing my research skills. Does anyone have”
“TL;DR: how to get research opportunities while working full-time with no research background + the university I did my undergrad is like 1000 miles away or something like that (so can’t just go back to old profs unless remote)? I graduated already and I’m working full-time as a SWE new grad in the Bay Area. I’m wondering if anyone has experience with trying to do some research on the side at a university or something when you’re no longer a student. Or if anyone knows of any opportunity here. I”
“so i’m looking to do a phd in cs in the future, or at least i would like to. In order to improve my chances i’ve been told that i need to do research, my question is, is it possible to do research after college? and if yes how? did you were on a similar situation or know someone that was? submitted by /u/don_lenny [link] [comments]”
“Hey guys, I’m currently in my masters 2nd year and planning to do a PhD in Europe after submitting my masters thesis. I’m looking to do a research internship before that, mainly to get some research exposure and understand PhD/research work. Any tips on how to find research internships? Also, if anyone here knows a professor/researcher/lab who might be looking for interns, pls let me know. Would really appreciate it if someone can guide me or help me get in touch with someone. I’m still kinda ne”
“Has anyone done a solely research based PhD? I don’t believe this structure occurs in the states but I was told it’s relatively common abroad. I’ve been strongly encouraged to pursue one so I could further my research from my graduate school. I was informed I’d just continue on with my studies, and I really wouldn’t have to travel to university at all. The university of Cape Town South Africa was is the institution which was suggested to me. Just a quick about me which makes this type of set up”
“I'm in the final year of my MSc (Software Engineering) and have no solid research experience. However, I really want to take my first steps into research through an internship. 1- Is it really possible to get an internship without prior research experience? 2- Should I cold-email PIs? 3- What should I prepare or learn so I'm not completely lost? 4- Is a single internship enough to apply for a PhD afterwards? 5- if my target labs are europeans does it imply anything different ? subm”