Undergraduate research/lacky advice

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around seeking undergraduate research opportunities within a mathematics department. Participants share experiences and advice on how to approach professors for potential placements, focusing on the importance of expressing genuine interest and the educational value of such opportunities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to engage in research and seeks advice on how to approach a professor about opportunities, emphasizing a willingness to start with basic tasks.
  • Another participant suggests contacting the professor with a clear message about specific research interests and personal background, indicating that a polite inquiry could lead to further opportunities.
  • A later reply shares a positive outcome where the original poster received a prompt response from the professor about available projects, highlighting the importance of relevant skills like Mathematica.
  • Concerns are raised about needing to understand the calculations involved in the projects, with one participant reassuring that such knowledge will be acquired through the experience.
  • Clarification is made that the original poster will be assisting on a personal project and a project with a graduate student, rather than a standard undergraduate project.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the approach to contacting professors and the educational nature of undergraduate research opportunities. However, there are varying perspectives on the expectations and requirements of such roles, particularly regarding the understanding of project content.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the nature of research roles and the level of prior knowledge required may not be universally applicable, as experiences can vary by institution and project.

Jake4
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So, I find myself right now, trying to look around for SOME sort of job. I started looking around my department at school (mathematics) and slowly started realizing I could possibly find something there.

I then found a professor, who I haven't spoken to before, that is researching exactly the kind of stuff I'm interested in.

My question is, how do I go about asking him about research opportunities, or any kind of employment opportunity? I don't mean to say I'm doing this to get paid, because I truthfully don't even know if that's something realistic to expect, but I just want to be in that atmosphere, you know? Even if I'm doing lacky work, and getting him coffee, I just want to begin to be around it.

So, how should I go about this? I don't want to send the wrong message to him or anything, but want him to know that I'm genuinely interested.

any help would be MUCH appreciated, I want to send him an email tonight or tomorrow.


thanks!
 
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Just contact him with a nice message! Tell him what specific area of his research you're interested in, ask if there are opportunities for you to do a short placement. (Over the summer I presume) Wouldn't hurt to tell him your name ;) what year you're in etc etc...

If you send a nice enough message, even if he can't offer you anything chances are he'll ask around and suggest someone who can.

Getting a placement in your own department is a good stepping stone for getting placements elsewhere.
 
Last edited:
Awesome! I just went for it, and got a message back within about 30 minutes about a few projects he's working on that he needs students for :)

I gave him my mathematics background and such, and he essentially said he just needs people with Mathematica skills.

I'm going into talk to him about it later this week!

So excited. And from the tutorial videos, mathematica seems easily tackleable if I put some time into it. Coding looks fairly straightforward.

My only worry is, won't I have to at least partially understand the calculations being done to be able to enter them in?

I think I'm getting ahead of myself, as I'm sure this will be answered when I meet with him, but ... yayy!
 
do not worry too much..
in my school at least..those undergraduate project or research are usually for educational purposes..

you will learn the required knowledge and skill along the work
 
ahh well, that's good to hear. Although this isn't an undergrad project, I'm assisting him on a personal project, as well as a project he's doing with a grad student.
 

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