MANY UNIVERSITY students are clueless when it comes to constructing a career path after graduation. Landing a job after college is a daunting task, and many graduates are not ready to face the commonplace pressures of interviews and salaries. However, there is a simple and productive alternative -- undergraduate research. The University offers opportunities for student research in undergraduate or post-graduate studies. Research can lead students to millions of dollars in funding, to foreign countries or to prestigious graduate programs. So stop worrying about the absence of the prefix "pre-" to your major and start undertaking research projects.
Students might associate research with science laboratories and cutthroat medical investigations, but the truth is that every academic field entails research projects. This can include writing a thesis, a survey experiment, independent projects, assisting faculty research, historical analyses, etc. The possibilities are endless.
After students debunk this first myth, the next question is, "Why should I spend my time partaking in research?" The academic answer is research will help you to gain a better understanding of your academic field. Nicole Hurd, Assistant Dean and Director of the Center for Undergraduate Excellence (CUE), says undergraduate research allows students to form mentoring relationships with faculty and to participate in exciting aspects of academic life -- the creation of new knowledge and an alternative way of approaching the learning process. Also, let's not be coy here -- there is tons of money involved, either in funding or awards.
Despite these benefits, only 50 percent of undergraduates engage in research. The CUE would like to increase undergraduate participation by connecting students with more opportunities at the University. Hurd said, "Undergraduate research illuminates what is best about U.Va. -- it offers an intimate learning environment in the midst of a major research university."
The CUE is devoted to helping University students achieve undergraduate research goals and obtain international fellowships, scholarships and research awards. Students can research sperm cells in Australia with funding from a Harrison grant or receive fellowships for post-graduate study in England -- these goals are all attainable.
Also the University funds an Undergraduate Research Network, which gives research students the chance to publish and present their projects. The Oculus, also known as the Virginia Journal of Undergraduate Research, collects and publishes student research. It is foolish not to take advantage of these resources, because 1) research projects and publications improve students' chances to receive fellowships and scholarships, and 2) Hurd states that undergraduate research students are better candidates for graduate/professional schools and to prospective employers.
Besides these resources, professors are always available to assist with research projects. Whether they need help with a current project or are interested in your particular course of study, the research process facilitates student-professor interaction and allows students to work with mentors, who are some of the most renowned scholars in their fields of interest.
Although undertaking a research project may be a large time commitment, the monetary advantages are crucial. With money being the primary concern for graduates, these research projects lead to fellowships and funding in graduate programs. In fact, many of the prestigious national and international fellowships, i.e. Fulbright, Rhodes, Mitchell and Marshall, emphasize the importance of undergraduate research -- CUE oversees the endorsement process of these fellowships. The University also provides funding for research through College and Dean's scholarships, Double Hoo Research Grants, the Summer Science and Engineering Scholars Program and Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards.
Instead of worrying about career paths and settling down, explore research opportunities abroad or continue studying your interests in graduate school. The University has many resources to help fund these adventures, as well as receive acclaim for scholarly research. Compared to trite, entry-level, 40-hour-a-week jobs, I would much rather study political theory at Oxford or conduct sociological research in Africa.
Michael Behr's column appears Wednesdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at mbehr@cavalierdaily.com.
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