Research opportunities are often far and wide in multiple universities, and Stevens is no different. With various research opportunities available, it can feel overwhelming to find a starting point, whether or not you have experience in research. This applies especially to freshmen and sophomores who may not have the strong skill set that upperclassmen and graduates hold. That begs the question: “What can I do to get involved in research?”
Due to this question’s broad nature, there isn’t one concrete path that you should follow; instead, take advantage of its breadth and explore your options in detail to find what works best for you.
The go-to place to begin your hunt for research is the Stevens Student Portal for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, targeted specifically at undergraduate students. This is an undergraduate student’s best friend, as it contains targeted information about the different facets of undergraduate research, such as research during the semester, scholarships and graduate fellowships, and summer research internships available. At this point, it depends on you to choose what fits you best in terms of “getting involved in research.”
For example, research during the semester is often the most versatile route, as it allows Stevens students to get into contact with professors through multiple mediums. Oftentimes, students take the straightforward approach of cold-emailing professors, with most emails involving the student describing their personal interests and skills, then connecting them with how they align with the professor’s research program. It helps if you take a glance at the faculty webpage to learn more about your professors, as familiarizing yourself with their research shows active interest, which may set you apart from other students.
Undergraduate students who may prefer to conduct research over the summer should check out summer research internships, where they will take part in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). The student portal links to various REUs, from Stevens REUs to external openings, unlocking a whole host of options. These internships provide students the opportunity to perform lab tasks alongside graduate students, augmenting their skills and preparing them for prospects such as graduate school. Students unsure about where they wish to apply for graduate school should heavily consider REUs.
Some things to keep in mind are that REU deadlines range from November 1 to February, with a select few available in March through April. Searching and applying for REUs is a strenuous process but offers immense rewards for those who seek them.
Researching for credit presents the ability to perform research as a part of your curriculum, which may be an easy way to integrate research into your learning experience while also obtaining the necessary credits required for graduation. This can be done through elective courses; however, certain majors label some research courses as required for the major, such as CHE 423 and 424 for Chemical Engineering & Material Sciences, so keep in mind that you may do research in the future without actually needing to take an elective course.
These different possibilities are not the end-all, be-all for research, and there are plenty more out there. It’s important to remember that the best possible experience with getting involved in research comes with an abundance of planning and time. If you choose to only email a few professors about research availability and they all decline, then you would be stuck without any other options. Hence, it’s a good rule of thumb to keep a backup plan in this type of situation to fall back on if it comes to it.
One last crucial thing to remember is that there is always a way to involve yourself in research of any form. There is no clear-cut formula to get into research; all you need to do is be curious enough to spot opportunities when they appear.
