Research Assistant Position

"Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna" (lukielauxd)
12/26/2013 at 20:01 • Filed to: None

Hello,

Are there any opponauts here that have knowledge or experience on being a Undergraduate Research Assistant? My school has a thing where I just have to find a professor willing to be my mentor and we need to come up with an idea on what to do and that'd be a research assistant position, but my parents rather I come back to California to do some research position, I've found that Stanford, USC and a couple of CSUs and UCs offer some majors with professors in Petroleum and Geology related studies but I don't know how to email them asking if they have any positions available.

Any advice?

Oh and here's a picture of the CLA because when I was getting pastries with my dad today and I saw a ton of them I realized it was a great financial move by Mercedes to push up the prices of C-Classes and the new GLA would push the GLK prices up by making them not the cheapest way to enter the Mercedes brand in the US.

DISCUSSION (10)

dogisbadob > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
12/26/2013 at 20:07

You're probably better doing it at your own school if you can, as the California schools' slots might be filled up by their own students. Plus, you get to know the professors better, etc.

What Mercedes should be doing is bringing the A-class and non-electric B-class over here.

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
12/26/2013 at 20:08

I've found that older (than you) people are very inviting and forgiving. There's no formula for asking them for stuff, just do it. Send an email that basically says "hi, I'm ______and I'm looking for a job as __________ for my university. I noticed you had a position open, is there a chance I could fill it for you?" 99% of the time, they are so happy to hear from you and are willing to help you out. You've just got to come to them, and not vice-versa.

Victorious Secret > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
12/26/2013 at 20:10

Be a whore and just email. Thats how I landed my position. (I'm the boss)

Email like crazy. Be persistent. Profs/Researchers actually appreciate that to at least give you a deeper look.

Find a prof who is doing something you have even a vague interest in just to get started.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
12/26/2013 at 20:15

I worked as an undergraduate research assistant at my school when I was in college. Basically I went to my advisor and asked if she needed any summer assistants or knew any other professors who did. She directed me to a professor who specialized in robotics and I worked for him all summer, it was easy and it paid $12/hour. You just have to ask. If you're looking for something not at your school you're probably going to have to spam professors, but a better bet to start would be to go to a professor you know at your school and see if they know anyone in California that could give you an introduction, having someone else vouch for you does wonders.

But honestly your best bet to do undergraduate research is to stay at your own school, take a summer class or two as well and if you're receiving financial aid they might cover some of your living costs.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
12/26/2013 at 20:18

Or if you're actually interested in Petroleum related stuff and don't mind getting your hands dirty I might be able to refer you to an internship with my company, but likely only if you are currently a junior. Either way you could send me a resume and I might be able to make something happen.

Daywalker > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
12/28/2013 at 15:17

If I were you (and maybe this is what you are thinking but didn't mention it), I'd be trying to combine the RA position with entry into an MS and/or PhD program. RA positions are usually part of the deal for PhD students and having an RA or TA position typically covers tuition +$15-30k per year stipend. If you're going to work as an RA, you may as well get an advanced degree out of it.

In either case, first step is following VS's advice and getting to know some profs. If they are on your campus, try to meet them face to face and ask about what they are working on. Since any decent PhD program has plenty of qualified applicants, it will be a major bonus if they can actually put a face to your name. If a particular prof actually wants you to work for him/her, you are practically guaranteed admission.

Daywalker > Daywalker
12/28/2013 at 15:21

Shoot, I wrote that whole post and then looked back at your original post which was asking about being an UNDERGRAD RA. So you can ignore my advice about MS/PhD, although you may want to pursue that track later. My later advice about meeting with profs still applies.

I employ a master's student as my RA and since it's my first year at this university, I didn't know any students so I simply asked my colleagues for references. I interviewed a few students in person. My RA is graduating so next year I'll probably just choose a student from the class I taught this year.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
12/28/2013 at 23:02

That would be great :O Is there an email I can send you my resume through? :O

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
12/28/2013 at 23:16

Forward your resume to me at tcragg@slb.com. If you're not a junior your chances are slim no none, also I don't know if you're studying engineering or geology, there are more positions for engineering. Also this is field work wearing coveralls normally in the middle of nowhere, it is not a regular office job.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
12/28/2013 at 23:17

Yeah, I'm most excited for the field work internships :D I understand that there isn't much for freshmen, but I'm trying my best just to get my resume out there as much as possible. Thanks :D