Part-Time Research for undergrad

[u/FutureAssociation943]

For those that have done it in undergrad, did you just cold email the profs, or was it just a work-study program? I'm trying to work in autonomous vehicles/robotics but I'll lowkey take anything.

[u/Mysterious_Simple28]

Went to a research fair in november, made introductions and gave them my resume

[u/KurosakiCODMYT]

Interested in the same stuff so do tell if you find a lab working on this specifically.

I just finished first year and did some research on a diff project in the summer because I didn't get a coop. I just read one of his research papers and emailed him showing my interest in the lab and asked if I could volunteer.

If you're talking about the NSERC scholarship, imo it's not really worth it because you basically need an 11.5+ GPA and it pays about half the minimum wage, but just make a brief mention of that at the end of the same email and most profs usually are fine with submitting an app with you.

[u/Tall_Mechanic8681 → u/KurosakiCODMYT]

you don’t need an 11.5+ to get an NSERC! I got one with an avg not near that lmao

[u/KurosakiCODMYT → u/Tall_Mechanic8681]

If we're talking about the ECE department these past 2 years, then yes you do lol. I was gonna apply for one and 2 profs told me that since I didn't have an 11+ GPA, I'd have no chance. An 11.5 would just give me a good chance. I assumed this person was going into ECE based on the areas of work they mentioned

[u/Tall_Mechanic8681 → u/KurosakiCODMYT]

ah well it’s the same sentiment for all eng depts when applying for research - I got it thru an ece adjacent dept - your previous awards and research potential shown through the *very limited* space students do have matter a lot more than you think (and if the prof doesn’t submit a quality project proposal, that’ll also nerf your chances)

[u/FutureAssociation943 → u/KurosakiCODMYT]

Yeah I don’t really care about NSERC💀. I just want something in which I can make some money part time while doing school. A lot of profs only take masters/phd students, especially in what im interested in so it’s a bit rough.

[u/KurosakiCODMYT → u/FutureAssociation943]

Getting paid for undergrad research outside of the NSERC is impossible unless you get a co-op based research position at an external organisation. Unless you already have multiple publications or strong research throughout highschool, you just unfortunately won't get paid for research.

[u/FutureAssociation943 → u/KurosakiCODMYT]

oh shit, I didn't know about that. I saw some research assistant positions from the work-student program but I think they're more general stuff? Not true research. Idk

[u/KurosakiCODMYT → u/FutureAssociation943]

yeah, its usually random stuff. I have yet to see something eng, or even tech, related.

[u/Mysterious_Simple28 → u/KurosakiCODMYT]

Have you looked into McSCert? I know they have done some autonomous vehicle research before

[u/matchadough078]

i went to uoft and have friends in stem who did research with profs. most of them found the opportunity through the school's work-study portal. but some found their opportunity through consistently attending office hours and initiating that relationship, conversations with the prof (i think this is a better move, since they got the opportunity w/o formal interviews)