Success in Navigating Your Student Research Experience: Moving Forward in STEMM

Description

This book is a complete guide for students on how to make the most of intensive, experiential research outside a college classroom. Engaging in research as an undergraduate can lead to successful and rewarding careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). Being successful in an undergraduate research experience benefits from the self-awareness and planning, strategies and skills that Success in Navigating your Student Research Experience can help you build and develop. Preface Contents Acronyms List of Boxes and Vignettes Part I Preparing for Your Research Experience 1 Finding a Research Experience 1.1 What Is Research? 1.1.1 What Is Undergraduate Research? 1.2 Understanding the Different Types of Undergraduate Research Experiences 1.2.1 Common Components of Undergraduate Research Experiences 1.2.2 Different Types of Undergraduate Research Experiences 1.3 Knowing Yourself: Do You Need a Research Experience? 1.4 How to Find Research Experiences 1.4.1 Finding Undergraduate Research Programs 1.5 Take-Home Messages References 2 Applying for a Research Experience 2.1 The Application 2.1.1 The Résumé 2.1.2 Transcripts 2.1.3 The Cover Letter 2.1.4 Essays and Personal Statements 2.1.5 Letters of Recommendation 2.1.6 Online Application Systems 2.2 The Interview 2.3 Acceptance and Rejection 2.4 Take-Home Messages References 3 Getting Ready 3.1 First, Know Yourself 3.2 Pay Attention to the Logistics 3.3 Familiarize Yourself with the Research 3.4 Prepare for the Imperfect 3.5 What Will a Successful Experience Look Like to You? 3.6 Take-Home Messages Part II Undertaking Your Research 4 Research 4.1 Doing Research During an Undergraduate Research Experience 4.1.1 The Job of Doing Research 4.1.2 Learning While Doing Research 4.2 Articulate Your Goals 4.3 Setting and Meeting Expectations 4.3.1 Communicate Clearly and Openly 4.4 Measuring Success in Your Research 4.5 Take-Home Messages References 5 Education 5.1 Training 5.1.1 Ethical and Responsible Conduct of Research 5.1.2 Specific Training Courses 5.2 Workshops to Build a Skill-Set to Grow Your Career 5.3 Research Seminars 5.4 Take-Home Messages References 6 Community 6.1 What are STEMM Communities? 6.2 Your Communities are Your Support Systems 6.3 Team-Building 6.3.1 The Most Important Elements of Successful Research Teams 6.3.2 Roles on a Team are Constantly Changing 6.3.3 The Importance of Formal and Informal Communication 6.3.4 Teams Can Be Scary and Intimidating 6.4 Becoming Part of Larger Professional Networks 6.4.1 Building and Expanding Your Own Network 6.4.2 The Values and Pitfalls of Social Networks 6.5 Take-Home Messages References Part III After Your Research Experience 7 Continuing the Research 7.1 How Did It Go? 7.1.1 Take Time to Reflect 7.2 What's Next? 7.2.1 Tying up Loose Ends 7.2.2 Data Management and Data Archiving 7.2.3 Sharing Your Research with Peers and Colleagues 7.3 Doing Another Research Experience 7.4 Take-Home Messages References 8 Building on the Experience 8.1 A Range of Career Paths 8.1.1 Long-Term Thinking 8.1.2 Think Outside the Box 8.2 Employment: It's Not ``Time Off'' 8.2.1 Internships 8.2.2 Scholarships and Fellowships 8.2.3 Jobs 8.3 Post-Graduate Research and Education 8.3.1 Post-Baccalaureate Programs 8.3.2 Different Types of Graduate Degrees 8.3.3 Graduate or Professional School: Which One's for You? 8.4 Take-Home Messages References 9 Becoming a Mentor 9.1 The Importance of Mentorship 9.2 Reflect on Your Mentee-Mentor Relationship 9.3 Becoming a Mentor 9.3.1 The Essence of Mentorship 9.3.2 Know Yourself 9.3.3 Recognize that You Are Not an Impostor 9.3.4 Share Your Experiences 9.4 Take-Home Messages References Appendix Notes