Early Research Experiences: Why Students Should Seek Out Opportunities As Early As High School

In this first post of a two-part series, we explore the challenging yet rewarding student research experience. Having been involved in research firsthand, and in managing research preparatory programs, we’ve seen how beneficial research experiences are for students. The following are our perspectives and that of students who recently completed the Baruch College Now STEM Research Academy, an intensive two-semester research preparatory program for NYC public high school students.

Whether you’re a high school student or undergraduate you need to expose yourself to research

Yes, we said need! Regardless of what your career and academic goals are, you should seek out research opportunities to partake in. Apart from the obvious reason of making yourself a “better” candidate for college, especially graduate programs, early exposure to research has several benefits whether you plan on majoring in science, business, or the liberal arts.

“Try it out and see if you like it. You will never know unless you try.”

Melody H., Rising 12th grader
New Explorations into Science, Technology, & Math (NEST+m)

Early career exposure

Understanding what it’s like to be immersed in a research environment, versus what you think it may be like, will expand your career choices. By engaging in research, you can develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter than is possible through classroom instruction alone. Depending on the content area, the laboratory environment can be very different and so can your experience in that environment. Being exposed to the different dynamics can inform you on what sort of laboratory experience you might be most interested in.

Additionally, participating in research can give you a better idea as to whether or not you may want to pursue a career in researc. We’ve seen students with limited interest become extremely engaged and change their career paths because of their research experience and vice-versa. Ultimately, the earlier you identify a career path or eliminate career paths, the more likely you are to be satisfied with your chosen career.

“Although I have no plans on pursuing a career in science, I feel that the work I was doing really opened my eyes to my personal love of learning.”

Zachary R., Rising 12th grader
Millennium High School

“I don’t plan on doing research after this program. Although I enjoyed it, I don’t think it fits my personality. I still plan on pursuing a career in science because I am interested in computer science.”

Kelly C., Rising 11th grader
Academy for Software Engineering

“I decided to participate in the STEM Research Academy because I wanted to see if I wanted to take the field of research as my career. I wanted to see if this field is right for me or not.”

Preeti G., Rising 12th grader
Manhattan Center for Math & Science

Development of necessary life and career skills

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ (NACE) Job Outlook 2019 report, employers seek candidates who have the following skills; verbal and written communication, problem-solving, ability to work in a team, analytical/quantitative skills, and who are detail-oriented, among others. Participating in research projects, whether it’s in a field you’re interested in or not, allows you to develop these skills! Most importantly, engaging in research trains you to be a critical thinker.

In an age where misinformation and “fake news” spreads like wildfire, it is crucial that we learn to think critically and to distinguish between trustworthy and not-so-trustworthy information. Having an understanding of how research works (e.g. correlation doesn’t equal causation, study limitations, etc.) will allow you to see through the sensationalist headlines and be able to make better decisions in literally everything (e.g. personal finances, studying, etc.). Building and flexing that critical thinking muscle can be invaluable at all levels of your academic journey and being exposed to research help facilitate that.

“The research that we did on procrastination impacted my everyday life because it allowed me to be more conscious of my habits and gave me ways to prevent stress and procrastination. I also got to learn more about the effects of stress and personality traits which I can use moving forward to better my life and hopefully help my peers out as well.”

Justin B., Rising 11th grader
Academy for Software Engineering

“I feel that I’m much more invested in science as a whole, including the history of science. I have been motivated to look into questions that I have and research them for myself.”

Zachary R., Rising 12th grader
Millennium High School

Build and expand your professional network

Building your network allows you to expand the breadth of your resources and opportunities. You may meet and network with people within your field of interest, but also others that may be in fields that are related. You can reach out to your network in the near and distant future to support you by writing a recommendation for college, being a reference for a future job, or helping you meet other important people and pointing you in the way of additional opportunities.

STEM Research Academy students presenting their research at the Baruch College Now summer project fair.

3 Tips for obtaining research experience:

Finding research opportunities can be a daunting task. Below are some tips to help you throughout the process.

1. Reach out to professors at a nearby college or university

• Many college faculty have research labs in which they have students serve as Research Assistants. If you don’t know who is a researcher, simply visit the website of the academic departments you are interested in. Alternatively, if you are enrolled in a college course or program, ask your professors for direction. Some institutions have research practicum courses students can enroll in. In the event you have difficulty connecting with research faculty, try reaching out to other members of their lab. Post-doctoral researchers, lab managers, or graduate research assistants may be able to help you. Don’t be shy to express interest. Advocating for opportunities for yourself is extremely beneficial for you in the short and long term.
• Although undergraduates tend to have an easier time getting exposure to research opportunities, several college faculty volunteer to assist high school students with science fair projects. Check out APA’s Science Fairs, Clubs, and Student Research page for some guidance. The following guide by the NYC Department of Education also has great tips on finding and working with a research mentor.

 2. Look up special programs near you

• There are plenty of opportunities out there. You just have to find them. One great opportunity for undergraduates is the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) program, which is housed at several institutions throughout the U.S. Another program undergraduates can explore is the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP).
• High school students in NYC should look into the NYC Science Research Mentoring Consortium. The Consortium, which is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, is composed of more than a dozen programs throughout the City. Additionally, here is a list of programs, organized by state, that provide high school students with research experiences (note, this is not an exhaustive list).

3. Don’t give up! 

• When one opportunity closes, another opens (or at the very least there are other opportunities still available). As an undergraduate, I (Clemente) applied to the REU program at my institution and was rejected. But that didn’t deter me. I spoke with one of my professors to see if he had any opportunities and ended up serving as one of his research assistants for the year (thanks Dr. Loren Naidoo!). The following year, I reapplied to the REU program and highlighted in my essay that I was rejected the previous year but didn’t let that be a barrier to my goals. I was accepted into the program the second time around.
• Persistence is something that can serve you well. When I (Saranna) started out my career in science I volunteered for an entire year to assist a post-doctoral researcher in a lab I was interested in. She started me off with simple tasks while I observed a lot. Eventually, I learned enough to start assisting with rodent neuro-surgeries and then ultimately doing them myself after being offered a position to work in the lab. Opportunities may not come easily at first, or even the second time around, but persistence gives you the advantage of learning as you try again. You will never be starting from scratch again once you’ve started along this journey because you have grown and learned with each additional experience.

“Make a lot of contacts. If you’re looking for a specific field, try looking into colleges that have that field and check if there are any programs in that field.”

Melissa C., Rising 11th grader
Manhattan Center for Math & Science

“They [students] should find a research opportunity within a field they are interested in or find research opportunities in different fields to find their interest.”

Suzaul S., Rising 12th grader
Manhattan Center for Math & Science

As a high school student, or undergraduate, seeking out research opportunities has its challenges, but the benefits are also well worth the investment of time and energy.  Approach it with the mindset, GROW, PUSH, STRETCH, and REACH towards a horizon stacked high with opportunities, growth, and experiences.