Intro to Science Research

Driven students in the math and science fields may want to pursue research opportunities as early as high school. Experience in a lab or in the field is a learning experience unlike what your child has with textbooks and teachers. These opportunities are excellent ways for students to further explore their academic interests and even develop a specialty in a certain field. A research position is also a great way for talented students to prove their passions and set themselves apart during college admissions. Securing a competitive position as a research assistant shows real dedication, ambition, and skill in a high schooler. 

While your child may have a chosen profession or have an area of study in mind, finding the right individual or institution to pair with can be difficult at that age. Who do they approach? How do students apply? What kind of experience is necessary? Where can they find openings?

 

Before applying

Consider whether your child has the time to allot to a new position. If it is during the school year, will the commitments (tryouts, practice, competitions) later in the school year or semester interfere with their ability to fulfill their commitment. Half-heartedly completing the job is not a positive experience for your student nor does it look good for them professionally. 

Be sure your student is aware of the commitment their making. This isn’t the same as trying out for the soccer team. They don’t want to burn out two weeks in or suffer a slip in grades because they’re overcommitted.

 

Know what to expect

Students should expect low-level and unpaid or minimally paid work. It will be more rigorous than their coursework, but it won't necessarily be glamorous. They should still take this work seriously and treat their position as a responsibility even if it’s just data entry. Some research positions may allow for high school workers to participate in experimentation or contribute in a more meaningful way, but not all of them do. 

Ask your child about the kinds of work they want to do. How hard do they want to work and what sacrifices are they willing to make? Be sure to inquire as to the nature of the work when researching where to apply. 

 

Researching existing programs

The highly competitive programs are often structured research positions that take place over the summer and have to be applied to in advance. This includes RSI at MIT and UCSC SIP. These programs skip the step of finding a mentor for students are often paired with an affiliated professor. This is a great way for high schoolers to have a top-tier, thorough experience and build a network of professors as well as peers.

Talk to other students that have participated in similar programs to get a better idea of what your child will experience. Include their teachers in this conversations. They may be able to provide insights in addition to just recommendation letters. 

 

Use your connections

Outside of these networks, students have to find a willing participant on their own. Often times networking is the best way to establish contact or get your foot in the door. It can help to see which organizations or institutions have worked with your child’s school before. Check if their school has a career office, an opportunities database, alumni database, or a record of where students have applied in the past.

Parents and other family members are also a good source of information. Sometimes it’s as simple as someone’s mother works as a researcher and is willing to mentor your child if not make the right introductions.

 

Think big, look local

If your student wants to pursue a position during the school year, they will obviously need to apply to the institutions nearby. This may restrict some students depending on their geographic area. Colleges and universities are good sources of opportunity for high schoolers. If you live near one, like Stanford, Princeton, or the University of Washington, with an established program, applying will be a little easier. However, not every researcher has a landing page advertising their availability. A good rule is to ask first, never assume.

See what else is headquartered near by. Research what laboratories, societies, foundations, organizations, or companies are near you and willing to hire high schoolers. Even national organizations, like the NIH, have opportunities for high schoolers. 

 

Draw up a list

Stemming from what’s in driving distance, identify a few researchers that your child would like to work with. Look specifically at what type of research or experiments they're doing and be sure that is what your child wants to engage with. 

Keep track of titles, recent accomplishments, publications, and other identifiers or news items. This information will make your student’s message more personal when it comes to contacting people on their list. 

 

Contact individuals, not departments

Email each researcher and inquire about a possible mentorship. A written message is better than a phone call for it gives the recipient an opportunity to answer in their own time. Speak formally and be specific. State what your student’s interests are, how those interests relate to the research being done, and what your child hopes to get out of the experience. 

Outline your availability, but remain flexible. It may be helpful for your child to provide an idea of structure or length for their position. It may help a researcher to know that your child is looking to commit to a 10 week window verses a 1 month one. Or that they hope to work part-time, after school, or during a long break.  

 

Introduce yourself

Be sure the recipient has a good idea of who your child is besides a potential hire. It’s important to be personable in addition to skilled. Have a resume prepared that outlines your any prior work experience, internships, or positions your child has held. Include their GPA and any school-related positions that speak to their ability as a research assistant. Repeat your contact information in your email as well as in your resume. 

A follow-up email is appropriate after an appropriate window, but it is possible that your child does not hear back. Finding the right mentor takes time and can be discouraging, but the process of contacting and applying is good practice.

 

Find the right fit

A willing superior or mentor is often the key to having a productive experience. Even if they don't let research assistants do the "fun stuff", the right person should be investing in teaching. They should encourage your child and create a positive learning environment for them. A renowned researcher that takes on a high schooler, but can’t be bothered to include them in their work isn’t a good fit even if it sounds prestigious. The wrong person or wrong program can also discourage your child from pursuing that field further. The right person may be helpful in finding your child’s next role or next mentor. Or they may offer your student the opportunity to continue working in the future. 

Talk to your student about what they envision themselves doing and what they want out of the experience. What will they need from a mentor in order to succeed in their position? Their answers and expectations should help shape your search. 

 

Whatever shape your child’s research position takes, ensure that they have a positive experience. Hours staring into a microscope or analyzing data may be the thing that makes or breaks their enthusiasm for a particular field. While bad experiences can be learned from, it’s equally important to make sure your student pursues opportunities that will not only look good, but also make them feel valued. 

 

If you are interested in speaking with one of our Advisors about finding a research position, you can schedule a free consultation here.

 

STEM Research Guide for High School Students

This is the Bible of STEM research for High School students. In one comprehensive document, we provide students with detailed guidance on why, when, and how to conduct research. Includes over 800 listings of Research, Internship, Pre-College, Summer, School Year, Enrichment, and Volunteer Programs. Designed for High School and Middle School students looking ahead, this guide includes top programs in every category including Biology & Health Science, Computer Science, Engineering & Robotics, Physics & Astronomy, Math and more.

 

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