Topics:
- Getting Involved in Research
- Research Positions
- Finding Opportunities
- Forms and Resources
Getting Involved in Research
If you are interested in doing research, there are many ways to get involved. You can choose the thesis option in your program (if one is available). If you choose the thesis option, then you will be working with a professor, receiving course credit, and writing up your work in the form of a thesis. Or you can work with a professor or doctoral student who is doing research as a volunteer, for course credit (as an independent study), or for pay.
Paid positions can be harder to find. Many students find jobs at places on campus. If you are primarily looking to make money, please visit https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/search for more information.
If you are interested in learning to do research, paid research positions can be either hourly or a GAship. Hourly positions pay you for the hours that you work. GAships are either full-time (20 hours/week) or part-time (10 hours/week) and usually include a stipend (money paid to you) and some amount of tuition remission. The amount varies depending on the assistantship.
Why get involved in research?
Many Master’s students are interested in learning more about doing research, receiving funding for their own thesis research, or receiving letters of recommendation for Ph.D. programs or research positions in industry. Some students are also motivated by the GA stipend and tuition payment.
Research Positions
Students with strong technical skills are often in high demand for paid research positions. Faculty often give preference to PhD students, but they may lack programming and website development skills, so Master’s students may be better qualified for these positions. You should regularly check your program listserv to see what is available at the iSchool and elsewhere on campus.
Reminder: Faculty can only offer paid experiences if they have research funding to cover them.
Finding Opportunities
How do I figure out whether I’m interested in research and who I can work with?
If you are interested in research, it is best to organically learn about possible topics and develop relationships with professors working in that area by coming to talks, finding out more about your professors’ research interests, and asking questions.
Attend relevant research talks sponsored by the iSchool. This will allow you to listen, see other faculty, and figure out how to enter the conversation. You will also be able to watch how scholarly discussions take place. Attending these talks can help you figure out what interests/skills you might contribute to a faculty research project.
Learn more about your professors’ interests by visiting their websites where you can find lots of information about their research interests and activities. Make sure to read faculty web pages carefully, look up some of their papers and find out what kind of research projects they have gotten funding to do. Faculty members who do research often give specific instructions on their web pages for those looking to work for them.
When you find someone or something you like, be realistic. Consider asking the faculty if they have any volunteer or paid roles and be realistic about how much time you can do. Whether volunteering or being paid, commit to participating regularly. By being reliable and dependable, you can get a strong letter of recommendation for future opportunities, and volunteering can often lead to a paid position later!
Advice for contacting professors about research opportunities
Contacting professors the right way can greatly impact your chances of getting a positive response. You need to show the professor that you are interested in research and provide evidence that you will do a good job. It is unlikely that they will respond positively if they have not met you, you send a resume stating your general interest in finding work, or you just show up outside their office. This kind of approach can be off-putting. It is important to strike a balance and ask for what you want while being courteous. Keep in mind that the faculty member you are hoping to work with may not be available or may not have a need for more research help in a given semester.
Forms and Resources
