Research is a Journey! 

1. Explore research interests

  • Think about your favorite classes. What about these classes did you like?
  • What research would help you achieve your career goals?
  • What skills and knowledge are you wanting to develop?

2. Find faculty and projects

  • Do your homework and see what research is being conducted on campus.
  • Search your home department and other departments that have research openings that match your own. 
  • Check the Jobs page on the Undergraduate Research site to learn additional ways to find research positions and search Hire-a-Bobcat for research jobs.
  • Browse MSU faculty publications at Scholarworks.
  • Contact the Renne Library Research Center located in the South Side of the library (994-2171).
  • Explore departmental faculty pages on the MSU website.
    • Many faculty members will provide links to their recent publications and lab website.
  • Stop by the USP office or meet with a student/peer research advisor (undergradresearch@montana.edu). 

3. Reach out   

  • Once you've narrowed down your search, we highly encourage you to first meet with a student/peer research advisor (undergradresearch@montana.edu).
  • Next, contact a potential mentor and express your interest in research opportunities. While some potential mentors prefer email, some prefer you reach out during their office hours. If office hours are posted on their faculty page or in a class you have taken with them, please first see them in person and include the same information in your discussion as you would in an email.
    • Keep your email brief and to the point. 
    • Introduce yourself and inquire about research opportunities in the mentor’s group or lab.
    • Tailor your email to align with the research interests of the mentor. 
      • Mention their research and why it’s a good fit or of interest to you.
      • Consider mentioning a paper they've published, or the focus of their research lab. 
      • Specify your research goals, both generally and practically.
      • Indicate how much time you are willing to devote to a research project. 
    • If positions are available, follow up with a resume and cover letter.
    • Ask for a  possible time to meet.

4. Follow-up and meetings

  • If you don't recieve a response within a few weeks, feel free to send a respectful email to remind the faculty member of your original message. 
  • If the faculty member is considering working with you, they might decide to schedule an in-person meeting to discuss project goals further. 
    • Come to the meeting on time and prepared.
    • Familiarize yourself with their research publications before you sit down with them. This will convey initiative and help you appear knowledgeable.
    • Ask about expectations and what the day-to-day work will look like.
    • Come with your student schedule and resume.  

5. Tips for success

  • Your first idea might not pan out, and that's okay. Be persistent, and you'll find an undergraduate research opportunity that's right for you. 
  • Visit the Council on Undergraduate Research Student Resource Center for guides on finding a mentor and writing a resume.
  • Take smaller opportunities as they come. You might have to work in a lab on campus part-time before a faculty member chooses to mentor you.
  • Keep building experience. This will help you move up within your field and will also allow for more rewarding research opportunities to come your way. 
  • Research how to write a strong research grant proposal. Get started with this article on How to Write a Research Proposal.