Search and discovery—Tips on getting involved in research

Participation in research opportunities as both an undergraduate and graduate student often provides a wealth of both personal and professional benefits to prospective graduate students, including an increased knowledge base, the ability to work as a part of a team, and humility. This type of hands-on experience is invaluable, but how can undergrade go about finding the research opportunities that best match their interests and help launch them into a successful graduate program? What do students need to consider prior to applying to join a research project? IEEE Potentials spoke with a number of current students and recent graduates regarding their research experiences and what they have learned from the process of finding and participating in research projects. Their voices are as diverse as their backgrounds-one graduate student serving as an intern prior to beginning his Ph.D. in the fall, three Ph.D. students, a postdoctoral fellow, and a senior research scientist each share their tips on how to secure research opportunities. These experiences may help prepare you for any surprises you encounter on your road to research.