There are a variety of reasons you to participate in research while at New York College of Technology. Below are a few reasons.
- Work on campus between classes.
Most students have class schedules with one or two hours of time between classes. While this is a good time to study, for most students it is impractical to commute to work and then back during these breaks. Working as a student researcher means that you don’t have to go to a job somewhere else. You can schedule meetings with your faculty mentor and work on your research project between your classes. This gives you more time for your studies and relieves some of the tension between work and school. - Learn more about a subject.
Participating in research is one of the best ways to learn more about a field of study. In college you are presented with courses in many different areas. You may find one of these courses interesting and decide that you want to think about a career in that subject or simply understand it more fully. Being a research scholar gives you the opportunity to learn more about a field of study. You will learn what issues are currently at the forefront of that field, what it is like to work in the field, the type of careers that are available and what it takes to pursue one. - Improve your resume.
When you are looking for a job after graduation, what is going to set you apart? Having been a student researcher looks great on a resume. It shows you are interested and motivated in a field hopefully related to the job you are seeking. Also, it gives you experience working on a project which is more like a real job than taking classes. Finally, it gives you something besides grades to present as your work. Most research projects end up as posters, or even publications, which you can then use to display your accomplishments. If your research project results in a publication this is considered a very impressive resume builder. - Earn credit or a stipend.
In addition to improving your resume, a research project can earn you credit or a stipend. New York City College of Technology has programs such as the Emerging Scholar, which pay you to do research with a faculty member (either on a full-time or part-time basis). The Honors Scholar program can earn you honors credit for a course you are enrolled in for that particular semester. Other programs such as LSAMP (Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation) also provide a stipend for doing research. - Work closely with a faculty member.
As a student researcher you have the opportunity to work closely with a faculty member. Faculty members can be of great help to you, recommending what classes to take, suggesting career possibilities and introducing you to contacts. Also, you may need a letter of recommendation from a faculty member, whether for a scholarship, a job or admission into a graduate program. If you have worked on research with a faculty member they can write a more detailed and more effective letter of recommendation for you, which can really help you later on.
