Explore topics that you're passionate about on deeper level
The tour schedule is as follows:Earn valuable experience
Create beneficial connections in your department and beyond
Gain collegiate, local, and even national recognition
Familiarize you with basic tools, skills, and methods in your discipline as a foundation for your work as a professional in your field
Improve your experience of college career:
  • Higher degree satisfaction
  • Higher GPAs
  • Course Credit toward your degree
This is an opportunity to lean in and see first-hand how scholarly work in your discipline is done.  For many students, this confirms that they are on the path into a field they will love working in every day; for a few, it helps them redirect to work they will like better.  Either way, this is a chance to find out now whether a field will be a good fit for you.
Brainstorm what you would like to research and/or create
  • What questions, problems, and projects interest you?
  • What topics from classes would you like to know more about?
  • What independent projects have captivated you the most?
  • Have you written a paper or created a piece you would like to take further?
Think about where, when, and how your research might take place
  • As a final course project or independent study with faculty
  • For a capstone in your major or the Honors program
  • As a faculty lab assistant
  • In university library or museum collections
  • Elsewhere on campus or in the community
Consider who might mentor this work
  • Faculty from your department
  • Someone who is familiar with your work
  • Professionals in the community
  • Research Program mentors
Not sure about how to answer these questions?  Contact us to talk about some options.
On when to start: there is never a wrong time to start pursuing knowledge, but some fields may have expectations for their students. For example, lab mentors invest a great deal of training and time in undergraduate researchers, and in some cases those who get an early start as first or second years may find that they get the farthest--sometimes even opportunities to co-author--by their senior year.  Other opportunities may only be available to upper-division students, building on preparation in lower-division coursework.  But it is never too early to start learning about research and creative opportunities, meeting potential faculty mentors, and brainstorming what questions you want to explore.
In other words, now is the right time to begin! Remember, finding a project that interests you and a mentor for it take time. Don't worry about rushing into things, your project is yours and can evolve with your interests. Some students and projects may need more specific knowledge from advanced courses or work experience before they are ready to pursue research they are interested in. The more you know about your project, the better you can get a sense of how research could fit into your goals. Our office staff and resources can help you brainstorm ideas and decide what makes the most sense for you.
To get started, go to Developing Your Interests and How to Find a Faculty Mentor.  Also see Research Opportunities for postings about research programs, internships, and summer opportunities.
Many externally-funded STEM research programs provide stipends for student researchers. Paid research internships may be available for non-STEM projects, particularly through summer opportunities.  Research programs and internships typically include valuable professional development experiences such as workshops, training in lab and studio skills, network-building activities, and conferences.  Competitive fellowships also provide funding for research in the US and abroad.
That’s the beauty of individual research—it can be as much or as little as you want. Your project’s scope is largely what will determine the commitment involved. We encourage projects that take between 5 and 10 hours a week, so that you are making substantial discoveries but still have a rich extracurricular life.  Many research programs include paid summer experiences of 8-10 weeks.

 

Still Have Questions? Get in touch!

We are here to help! Email Dr. Tracey Miller-Tomlinson at tomlin@nmsu.edu to schedule an appointment.

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