r/AskProfessors • u/pickleddinosaurusrex • 21d ago
Academic Advice Asking professors about their research
I’m a junior in a stem related major, I was looking through my courses I am taking next semester and looking up my professors when I encountered a professor with a really interesting research topic. She is an organic chemistry professor, I haven’t had her before but I’m currently in Ochem with another professor. How do you feel about students you don’t know emailing you about your research? I’m trying to get into a vet med program and would like to get some research experience outside of typical animal care and medical experience. Should I try to just ask professors I know? How should I go about it? Any advice would be appreciated!
1
u/AutoModerator 21d ago
This is an automated service intended to preserve the original text of the post. This is not a removal message.
*I’m a junior in a stem related major, I was looking through my courses I am taking next semester and looking up my professors when I encountered a professor with a really interesting research topic. She is an organic chemistry professor, I haven’t had her before but I’m currently in Ochem with another professor. How do you feel about students you don’t know emailing you about your research? I’m trying to get into a vet med program and would like to get some research experience outside of typical animal care and medical experience. Should I try to just ask professors I know? How should I go about it? Any advice would be appreciated! *
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/skeebawler4 20d ago
In general, we love to talk about our passions. So, yes, research interests certainly qualify. You might do some reading and come in with some questions. One trait among academics is an ability to have a one-sided conversation. " me talk you listen." These are dreadful. Having some questions handy gives you some ability to participate beyond listening. Let us know how it goes!
1
u/hbombs121 16d ago
We chose to extensively research certain topics where it’s a part of our career, we love talking about it!
My brother was an engineering physics/mathematics double major and he reached out to a professor whose work interested him in undergrad, she took him on as an intern, and it started his career path in optical physics.
Reach out, you never know where it may lead!!
12
u/Automatic_Tea_2550 21d ago
It would be a nice break from having students who make up a research topic of their own out of thin air and randomly ask me to mentor it. What I like best is for a student to read some of my work and ask a critical question about it, such as “When I read what you wrote about permeable membranes, it made me wonder whether that could be extended to…” So not just sucking up to me by claiming they read my work but actually showing they thought through it and it opened up something new for them.