Is Providing a Resume a Sign of Interest in Undergrad Research Opportunities?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of a professor requesting a resume from a student interested in undergraduate research opportunities. Participants explore whether this request indicates genuine interest in hiring the student or if it is a standard procedure among professors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the professor's request for a resume indicates some level of interest, as he would not ask if there were no opportunities available.
  • Another participant notes that the professor mentioned having no current open positions but may want to keep the resume for future opportunities.
  • A different viewpoint encourages the student to engage with the professor's research by reading his papers and formulating questions, which could enhance the student's chances of being remembered for future positions.
  • It is acknowledged that the student may find the research papers challenging to understand but can still grasp the main ideas.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying interpretations of the professor's request, with no clear consensus on whether it signifies a strong interest in hiring the student or is merely a procedural step.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the professor's intentions remain unexamined, and the discussion does not resolve the uncertainty surrounding the hiring process for undergraduate research positions.

UCFEng06
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Hey everyone,

I recently met with a professor who is prominent in research at my university to discuss undergraduate research opportunites. I expressed my interest in conducting research and after talking for a while he told me to bring him a resume. Would you say that shows an interest in hiring me, or is it normal for professors to ask for resumes?

I ask because I am extremely interesting in working with him and am trying to analyze my chances.
 
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It could mean various things. If he had NOTHING to be done he wouldn't have even asked for a resume, so that's a start. He probably just wants to know what you can do. Not very helpful, I know :P But good luck
 
He did mention that he had no open positions right now but he does have some seniors who do research that are graduating this semester. I'm hoping that he wanted the resume to keep until a position opens up.
 
Read some of his papers and come up with some good questions and talk to him about it. This will get you stuck in his mind and you'll have a much better chance of getting a position.

BTW, you probably won't understand most of the papers at your level, but you can still get the gist of it.
 

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