Overcoming Rejections: A Survival Guide (Yes, It's Possible for You)
In the world of academic research, rejections can be a common hurdle for undergraduate students seeking opportunities to make their mark. But one determined individual has turned their own experiences of rejection into a valuable guide for others, offering advice on research opportunities on campus.
The individual, who spent their gap year researching Parkinson's Disease, had always dreamt of working in a cutting-edge research facility. When they weren't accepted into High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI) internships or an international internship in Portugal, they didn't let it deter them. Instead, they turned their attention to the Office of Undergraduate Research Student Initiated Internship Program.
This program, designed to support undergraduate students who independently initiate their own research projects, proved to be a game-changer. The individual applied for a grant to study bumblebees for nine weeks at Princeton, and was successful. The grant provided a stipend for housing, food, and research project funding, and the individual was drawn to the Kocher Lab's research on bees.
The Kocher Lab, part of the university's renowned Ecology and Evolutionary Biology department, is known for its groundbreaking work in the field of bee research. The individual's research experience there was an immersive one, providing them with hands-on experience, an opportunity to advance their skills, and the chance to contribute original work under mentorship.
The guide, titled "What To Do When You're Rejected From Both PICS and IIP", is published in the "Lab Research" section. It emphasizes that research opportunities on campus are not exclusive to juniors and seniors. The individual, who had taken EEB 211 and become interested in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology research, offers practical advice on how to approach the program, from identifying a research topic to securing a faculty supervisor.
The guide also provides information about the I-R (Independent Research) process, a key part of the program. It explains that students are required to propose or identify their own research topic, find a faculty member willing to supervise, and then apply (often competitively) for placement and funding during the summer months.
The Office of Undergraduate Research Student Initiated Internship Program provides a structured opportunity for undergraduates to lead their own research projects with lab faculty mentorship during the summer, often including funding or resources to facilitate the internship experience. The goal is to enable students to have an immersive research experience, develop technical and analytical skills, and foster close collaborations with faculty researchers.
The individual's guide is a testament to the fact that rejection is not the end of the road, but a stepping stone towards greater opportunities. By sharing their own experiences, they hope to inspire other undergraduate students to persevere in their pursuit of research opportunities.
- Incorporating independent work into their academic journey, the individual took advantage of the Office of Undergraduate Research Student Initiated Internship Program to pursue their passion for undergraduate research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, leading to an immersive experience in the Kocher Lab and the development of original work.
- Despite rejections from prestigious institutions like HMEI and an international internship in Portugal, the determined individual shifted their focus to education-and-self-development opportunities, publishing a guide named "What To Do When You're Rejected From Both PICS and IIP", which offers valuable advice to undergraduate students about navigating the I-R process and securing research opportunities on campus.
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