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Research & Development in Science & Technology
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Iris Aikins-Afful
Does anyone have any thoughts on how difficult (if possible at all) it would be for someone who earned a degree in a non-science major to be permitted to help out on a research project? Just interested in your thoughts. Thanks!
Karolyn Chowning:
Iris - NIH research projects are typically better funded than other professor pet projects. I would recommend contacting your previous professors ...MoreIris - NIH research projects are typically better funded than other professor pet projects. I would recommend contacting your previous professors to inquire about work in their labs, even if the topics are outside of your planned research areas. Softer social sciences, like comm, soc, poly or some psych, might be more inclined to follow up with students who have your background as they might be hurting for lab assistants more than better funded programs in the biological sciences.
Another thing to consider is that "just volunteer" might sound to you like it would be attractive to lab supervisors, but it hasn't been in my experience. When I would hire research assistants, the course credit or income they were earning was a nice external reinforcement that made me have to worry less about their conscientiousness. I had a TA once who already had a bachelor's degree, so didn't need the course credit, but was enrolled in it anyway for the experience. Just a thought -- a lot of these opportunities are set up for current undergraduate students and you may find an amazing experience that you were previously overlooking.
44 weeks ago
Another thing to consider is that "just volunteer" might sound to you like it would be attractive to lab supervisors, but it hasn't been in my experience. When I would hire research assistants, the course credit or income they were earning was a nice external reinforcement that made me have to worry less about their conscientiousness. I had a TA once who already had a bachelor's degree, so didn't need the course credit, but was enrolled in it anyway for the experience. Just a thought -- a lot of these opportunities are set up for current undergraduate students and you may find an amazing experience that you were previously overlooking.
44 weeks ago
Iris Aikins-Afful:
Thanks a lot for your advice and input everyone, I greatly appreciate it!
43 weeks ago
43 weeks ago
Kiran Prateek
I am looking for an Metallurgy and Material person
JenG
What do think: is the focus on STEM education and degrees overblown? Is it, as DARPA claims, a matter of national security? As both a scientist and writer, I tackle the subject here: http://su.pr/19kFEw
89 weeks ago from Education Conversations, Researcher & Scientists and Government and Public-Sector1 more
Wanda recommended this
Wanda:
Great post! I think as a nation we do need a core of people skilled in the sciences, in order to create things, solve problems and innovate. I ...MoreGreat post! I think as a nation we do need a core of people skilled in the sciences, in order to create things, solve problems and innovate. I don't think that this has to come from people in the university community (loved your mention of Ben Franklin), I don't think we as a society, tinker as much as people did in the past. I not sure we know how things work, even simple devices that we use every day.
This may be changing however, because studios have formed in my area (and others as well) where people can try out different mechanical and electronic devices and attend workshops on how they are work. Also, I believe in Mass., there is a group of people who support each other in "doing science" although they have no formal background.
A combination of formal and informal efforts would work best probably, since I am afraid that informal efforts wouldn't provide the capacity that we need or would want.
89 weeks ago
This may be changing however, because studios have formed in my area (and others as well) where people can try out different mechanical and electronic devices and attend workshops on how they are work. Also, I believe in Mass., there is a group of people who support each other in "doing science" although they have no formal background.
A combination of formal and informal efforts would work best probably, since I am afraid that informal efforts wouldn't provide the capacity that we need or would want.
89 weeks ago
JenG:
Wanda, You're absolutely right that we certainly need some scientists and engineers to do the heavy lifting. I nearly titled this post "The ...MoreWanda, You're absolutely right that we certainly need some scientists and engineers to do the heavy lifting. I nearly titled this post "The Return of the Apprentice," b/c I felt there was room to consider non-science and engineering majors in certain jobs that could just be trained up. I find it fascinating that many believe there is a natural overlap between those who study music and computer science (this place even offers a double major in the subject: http://su.pr/21wBsj). It goes back to that idea of attributes. So why limit certain tech jobs to just comp sci majors when building robots? How much more interesting to specifically look for music majors, and then teach them the tech stuff they need. I'm fascinated by this idea (if that's not obvious). LOL
89 weeks ago
89 weeks ago
JenG
The biggest decision making mistake everyone makes (and how to avoid it): http://su.pr/2xrZLU
94 weeks ago from Researcher & Scientists, Productivity & Time-Management, Professional Development, Ask A Coach and Decisions & Choices3 more
