By Michael Rauch
My first experience as an undergraduate researcher was three years ago. When I first entered Washington University in St Louis, “research,” as well as the idea of a “research university,” felt like nebulous terms for a culture that simultaneously defined our institution, but never felt tangible. I had peers who were involved in research, but it was never clear how, or even why.
Research was happening all around me: nuclear chemists with groundbreaking spectroscopy results, historians publishing analysis on racial injustice, environmentalists proposing green initiatives. Yet despite the wealth of research conducted on my campus, I remained removed from this community undertaking such exciting work.
During my junior year, mustering up the confidence to sit down with multiple professors and seek out a research opportunity ultimately became one of the most important decisions I ever made. I personally grew to become extremely passionate about research, and am currently pursuing my PhD in chemistry. None of this would have happened if I hadn't decided to take that first step and ask.
I believe that learning is about getting involved, and the research process is something that every undergraduate should consider and take advantage of. The experience is crucial for career preparation, for understanding the academic process, and most importantly, for accessing the part of the academic world that is responsible for understanding and changing our world.
I founded ScholarBridge (www.scholarbridge.com) with the goal of constructing a simple platform to mediate the process of student involvement in research. Simply put, ScholarBridge is designed to make “research” more tangible and finding research opportunities easier.
For students, let ScholarBridge be your starting point in a search for opportunities: network with faculty, get timely updates, and search our extensive database of opportunities by any criteria. Consider spending a summer, a semester, or a year working on a research project on a subject that peaks your interest, and let ScholarBridge help you find that opportunity.
For faculty, ScholarBridge was designed by your peers: manage a research profile, post opportunities, and engage in meaningful outreach by inspiring future academics. The site is built with your time in mind - sign up in under ten minutes and check in a few times a year to make a major impact.
Welcome to the ScholarBridge community!
Research was happening all around me: nuclear chemists with groundbreaking spectroscopy results, historians publishing analysis on racial injustice, environmentalists proposing green initiatives. Yet despite the wealth of research conducted on my campus, I remained removed from this community undertaking such exciting work.
During my junior year, mustering up the confidence to sit down with multiple professors and seek out a research opportunity ultimately became one of the most important decisions I ever made. I personally grew to become extremely passionate about research, and am currently pursuing my PhD in chemistry. None of this would have happened if I hadn't decided to take that first step and ask.
I believe that learning is about getting involved, and the research process is something that every undergraduate should consider and take advantage of. The experience is crucial for career preparation, for understanding the academic process, and most importantly, for accessing the part of the academic world that is responsible for understanding and changing our world.
I founded ScholarBridge (www.scholarbridge.com) with the goal of constructing a simple platform to mediate the process of student involvement in research. Simply put, ScholarBridge is designed to make “research” more tangible and finding research opportunities easier.
For students, let ScholarBridge be your starting point in a search for opportunities: network with faculty, get timely updates, and search our extensive database of opportunities by any criteria. Consider spending a summer, a semester, or a year working on a research project on a subject that peaks your interest, and let ScholarBridge help you find that opportunity.
For faculty, ScholarBridge was designed by your peers: manage a research profile, post opportunities, and engage in meaningful outreach by inspiring future academics. The site is built with your time in mind - sign up in under ten minutes and check in a few times a year to make a major impact.
Welcome to the ScholarBridge community!