Get Started

• Courses for credit that include a lab, research or project component
• Independent study
• Internships or co-ops
• Jobs in labs or on research projects
• Summer research programs
• BGSU Honors courses

• Brainstorm topics that interest you. What excites you? What do you want to learn more about? Has there been a class that left you wanting more? Make a list of topics.
• Explore BGSU faculty research, scholarly and creative interests. Connecting with a faculty member or graduate assistant is the most common way to find a research, scholarly or creative project opportunity. See “find a mentor” for more information. Also check out research institutes and centers on campus.
• Contact your advisor or someone in your academic college. They will often be more attuned to opportunities within your major or area of interest. They may also be able to suggest courses with research, scholarly or creative project components.
• Contact the Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship. We can help connect you  to faculty and other resources.

• Review faculty websites. Think about what subject area interests you. Then look up faculty on college or department pages to find out who may be conducting research, scholarly or creative work in that area. As you’re browsing faculty listings, you may also spot other topics that interest you. 
• Check with your academic department. Most departments have an undergraduate director who can help you find opportunities.
• Reach out to a favorite professor with whom you already have a relationship and explore ideas for research, scholarly or creative projects.
• Check out faculty who have won research or other awards for working with undergraduate students.

Pick your top three faculty possibilities and email them. Don’t be afraid to reach out! Faculty members enjoy mentoring students who express genuine curiosity about their work and are willing to fully commit to a project.  

Even if they don’t have opportunities for you to work with them, they may be able to help you brainstorm project ideas or offer advice on other places to look for opportunities.

• Do your homework.
  • Learn as much as you can about the faculty member’s current research, scholarly or creative agenda. Check Google Scholar to read their research papers and scholarly publications. 
  • Prepare questions. 
  • Think about how your participation in the project can help you fulfill your goals.  
  • What can you contribute to the project? Do you have any prior experience or special skills?
  • Create or update your resume. The Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections can help.
• Send an initial email or schedule a meeting.
  • Introduce yourself and share why you are interested in their work.
  • If you have previous research, scholarly or creative  experience, let them know.
  • Now isn’t the time to ask them for a position. Ask to meet with them or one of their graduate students or research assistants to learn more about their work and potential opportunities to gain experience with them.
    
  • Offer dates and times you are available to meet.
  • Make sure to show up on time for your scheduled appointment.
• Follow up.
  After you meet with them, be sure to send a thank you email.