Career questions tagged research
Research is a skill acquired by increasing knowledge of a particular topic. Popular careers include research scientist, historian, and sociologist. For more information, please read below. Read more Show less
What scholarships or international study opportunities would you recommend for someone with my background in Media & Communication and digital marketing?
I recently completed my Bachelor’s in Media & Communication Studies and have around four years of experience in digital marketing, communication, content development, and research. I’m now exploring scholarship opportunities in Europe, Scandinavia, and the US to pursue further studies and gain international academic and professional experience. My goal is to learn from different education systems, work environments, and approaches to technology and communication, and eventually bring that experience back to my country and contribute to its development. For someone with my background, what countries, scholarships, or career paths would you recommend? And what steps could I take now to make my profile stronger for international opportunities? I’d especially appreciate advice from anyone who has studied or worked abroad and has gone through a similar journey.
What is the process for retraining in a different specialty, or transitioning to a non-clinical career?
I am a year 10 high school student, hoping to pursue a career in medicine. I am interested in becoming a paediatrician, but am curious how I would be able to specialise or transition to different areas within working clinically and non-clinical fields. For my year 11 subjects I. am doing, chemistry, biology, psychology, math methods and energy systems. I will continue on tp do these subjects in year 12 as well.
What is the best way to list your extracurriculars on the activty section for common app?
I am not sure what way to explain my extracurriculars on the activity section, it is only 100-150 characters so I have to be brief, do I mention specific details on what I did? I would appreciate any advice on what is the best way to list & approach while staying brief. I have done interns, programs, clubs, research etc
When would be an ideal time to do independent research as a pre-med student?
I'm a undergrad in the pre-med track, and I'm want to go into the research field. When do students usually start independent research? I know you can join labs and contribute to on-going research by cold-emailing professors, but I'm not really familiar with the independent research process as a credited class. Any advice would be helpful!
How can I start independent research as a high school student?
Hi! I want to start doing independent research, but I don't know where to begin. Does anyone have any tips? Right now, I have a vague idea focused on procrastination. I'm especially interested in medicine, particularly neuroscience. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! :)
How to get from PharmD to bench work drug synthesis?
As a high school senior, my current plan is to enter a 6 year PharmD program, then either go into a fellowship or a PhD program (in Organic Chemistry, perhaps) to secure the relevant qualifications for the R&D work I want to do. However, I'm very hesitant about the PharmD portion, as I am currently not enthusiastic about the clinical work it would entail. The real reason I want the degree is for security---if research ends up being too unstable, or if I need to take a break from education for any reason, clinical pharmacy seems like a good option financially and stability-wise. But as it stands, I really can't see myself doing it as a career---that simply isn't where my passion lies. So firstly: Does this plan make sense? Could someone with an educational background like the one I described be marketable to big pharma for research? If so, would someone with a PharmD (who has a heavy Organic Chem focus through electives, undergrad research, internships and summer programs, etc.) be marketable to PhD or fellowship programs in the realm of drug synthesis? Would it be possible to acquire the relevant experience to make it so, or would that pursuit conflict too strongly with pharmacy coursework/residency? Are there other, perhaps more straightforward ways to make it to the R&D roles I want, while still offering more secure and well-paying job options (without clinical focus, ideally)?
How To "Secure" A PhD program?
I'm fairly certain I'll have to pursue a PhD after my undergrad degree in order to do the pharma R&D I dream about. What can undergrad today do to better their chances of finding a professor to take them on? Beyond undergrad research, what kinds of opportunities exist to establish yourself in the scientific community, and with a handful of professors.
Is BSPS + Organic Chem PhD a strong profile for Big Pharma Work?
What are the logistics of doing a BSPS followed immediately by a PhD in Organic Chemistry? Would an OrgoChem PhD would be more advantageous than a MedChem PhD towards securing a bench job in big pharma? Is a BSPS a good undergrad degree to support that? I'm inclined towards it in order to leave my options open for other grad school paths, like PharmD ( strongly opposed to the idea of working pharmacy right now, but I may feel differently in 4 years and I want to have it on the table in case). I hear the hands-on experience you acquire in undergrad is more important than the name of your degree when it comes to being accepted in any PhD program. What can a first year do to set themselves up for success in that regard?
How can I cold email professor for research opportunities?
Hi! I’m a junior in high school based in Chicago and want to start researching about medical related topic (neuro disorder, anything!) and was wondering if anyone have any tips! Recently I emailed Chanlab at northwestern but would like some more recommendations like if there’s any lab that accept high school student. Hospital volunteers would be great too if anyone have any information! Thank you
How should I prepare for being a clinical psychologist?
Hello I am a rising high school senior who is almost done with my associate's in arts degree. As I am taking college classes to save money and time. I am sort of stressing on how I should prepare myself when I enter into university since I won't have much time to prepare for graduate school. I want to do a Ph.D. in Clinical Psych after under-grad but afraid that I won't have enough time to develop my experience and skills I have done. What is some advice to help prepare for Ph.D in psychology or opportunities that I should be seeking to help me dive into the psychology field more to help my application in the future. Anyone who has been in this position with applying to school for Ph.D. in Psych or who is a psychologist!! I am open to advice and input here
What skills and experiences helped you transition from being a technical professional to a leader in AI driven organizations, and what should a student start building today?
I am a final year Computer Science and Business Systems student from India. My interests include AI, healthcare technology, data analytics, research, and entrepreneurship. I have completed internships at ICMR NIE and Menmozhi Technologies and am building AI based solutions for accessible education and healthcare. I hope to pursue graduate studies abroad and would appreciate advice on the technical and leadership skills I should prioritize.
How do i select a career path in biochemistry?
I am Ella, a third year biochemistry student in KNUST.I am really interested in research and curious about science. Please i would love to know some real life career paths in biochemistry aside research and some various soft skills as a biochemist and some area i can further in .Thank you.
Between NUS and IIT which college and major are right for me?
I am a high school graduate who is currently deliberating between nus (national University of Singapore), bachelor in Biomedical Engineering and iit (Indian institute of technology), bachelor in medical science and engineering. I understand both are premier institutions and thus have trouble choosing. I'd like to know which has greater scope in the future, is there a necessity to pursue postgraduate in either, and which curriculum out of the two covers skills that employers are looking for. For reference I've attached a summary of both courses' curriculum below: IITM Medical Sciences and technology: • Foundational Sciences: Human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. • Engineering Tools: Signals and systems, fluid mechanics, biomaterials, and biomechanics. • Data & Tech: Artificial intelligence, machine learning, medical imaging, and healthcare data analytics. • Clinical Training: Mandatory hospital internships and hands-on clinical rotations. • Capstoning: Multi-disciplinary medical device design and drug discovery projects NUS Biomedical engineering: • An engineering foundation with specialized medical science and data literacy. • A common design and engineering core covering Python, machine learning, and mathematics • Transitions into major-specific courses like quantitative physiology, biomechanics, signal processing, and medical imaging. • A capstone design project and industry internship • Unrestricted electives for specialized tracks like tissue engineering or robotics. My own interests lie in the integration of biology and engineering, and their application in the real world, whether in industry on in research. So both courses are interesting to me personally. However i'm not sure how they fare in global job market. Thank you for your time.
How can a humanaties student go to space?
Can a humanities student(basically, it consists of Social studies, Law, psychology, and also Maths) become an astronaut or somehow travel/go to space, like to space stations and all.... Also, consider that if I have done *psychology with Bio* too, i.e. can I go to space and observe how the human body and emotions react in space and conduct such research? If yes, then how?
AP Exam Score Relevance for Architecture Major?
Hi, my name Sanvhi and I am planning to major in architecture. I am currently a junior and my dream school is University of Pennsylvania. I have listed the AP's I have taken with the score I have received, and the ones I plan to take. All the following AP's I hope to get a 5 on, but if I were to get a 4 on any, they would most likely be APUSH, both AP English's, and possibly Calculus AB or BC. I plan to put majority of my focus on AP Physics 2 and Research to show growth from a 4 in AP Physics 1 and Seminar to a 5 in those, as well as AP 3D Studio, Art History, and Calculus. AP World History Modern: 4 AP Microeconomics: 5 AP Precalculus: 5 AP Macroeconomics: 4 AP Seminar: 4 AP Physics 1: 4 AP Art History: AP Research: AP Calculus: AP English Language: AP Physics 2: AP 3D Studio Art: APUSH: AP Calculus BC: AP English Literature: Other than my exam scores, I have been doing research outside of school on architecture and domestic violence and plan to publish it, founder of the Engineering Club (integrated the Society of Woman Engineers program in it), applied for a SWE award (hopefully a recipient) and to be a SWE Influencer, applying for the Scholastic Art award and other architecture contest, SGA president for 3 years, and a youth ambassador for a domestic violence nonprofit working for university outreach. I have not taken the SAT yet, but plan to try my best to get around a 1500. I know nothing is set in stone and things can change with my results in contests, real SAT score, and more, but I was just wondering how important my AP scores would be for UPENN. Again I know there's no definite answer but I just wanted some others opinions! Thank you!!
How realistic is it to AIM for a career as a senior academic researcher today?
Research feels almost like a vocation to me because what motivates me most is the possibility of contributing new knowledge. If that contribution isn't realistic, I'm not sure pursuing science would make sense for me. For context, I am now considering neuroscience, or maybe molecular genetics. I don't see myself in clinical practice or teaching in secondary school. What I hope for is a career centred on research, ideally combined with university teaching, scientific writing and public engagement. From your experience, is this still a realistic ambition today? Does academia still allow people to spend most of their careers doing meaningful research, or has the reality changed so much that I should rethink my expectations? If you were advising an 18-year-old with this motivation, would you still encourage them to pursue this path?
Is it realistically possible to build a successful career in biological research in Italy?
I'm considering a long-term career in neuroscience or genetics research and I'm trying to understand whether Italy can realistically offer the opportunities needed to build an impactful academic career. From your experience, can researchers do internationally competitive work while staying in Italy, or do most eventually need to move abroad because of funding, career progression or research infrastructure? I'm especially interested in hearing from people who have worked both in Italy and abroad.
Which countries would you recommend for someone aiming for a long-term research career in neuroscience?
My goal is to become a researcher, not a clinician, and I'm looking for undergraduate programmes in English that provide a strong foundation for a future PhD and an academic career. Beyond rankings, which countries do you think offer the best environment for training future neuroscience researchers? Would you still consider the UK one of the best choices today, especially given how quickly AI is changing biomedical research? Additional information At the moment, the UK is my first choice because of its undergraduate Neuroscience degrees. I'm also open to countries such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany or the Nordic countries. In Italy, I've mostly ruled out studying, except for universities like Trento or Pavia, as I haven't found programmes that fit what I'm’m looking for. Do you think that's a sensible approach, or should I reconsider Italy or other countries?
How would you choose an undergraduate field if your long-term goal was to make a meaningful contribution to research on human biology?
I'm trying to identify the field in which I could make the greatest long-term scientific contribution, rather than simply choosing the subject I currently find most interesting. I'm drawn to research that helps us better understand human beings, especially questions at the intersection of biology, cognition, behaviour and ethics (i am really into philosophy and am good with languages and both creative and scientific writing!). I enjoy connecting ideas across disciplines, thinking about fundamental questions, and communicating complex concepts through writing. However, I'm still unsure whether I would be happiest in a predominantly wet-lab environment or in more computational, theoretical or integrative research. I'm also uncertain how advances in AI will reshape biomedical research over the coming decades, and whether this should influence the choice of an undergraduate discipline. If you were advising a student with these interests, what criteria would you use to choose a field? Are there particular traits or experiences that predict whether someone is better suited to neuroscience, genetics, or another area of biomedical research? What do you think will matter most for building a career with lasting scientific impact? Additional information At the moment, I'm considering undergraduate Neuroscience programmes in the UK. In Italy, since there isn't really a direct equivalent, I'm also looking at Molecular Genetics as a possible alternative foundation. I'm genuinely open-minded and would value an unbiased perspective on how these paths compare, especially for someone whose ultimate goal is a research career rather than clinical practice.
If I do research with a professor how can I use this purpose to make a greater impact ?
I am doing research in stem and I want to make an impact with the knowledge I learn, what are some ideas I can lean on to, which will reach a greater audience specifically? any advice and guidance will be appreciated!
Is 50% of a standard work week sufficient for a part-time PhD?
I'm starting out on a part-time employer-sponsored PhD after spending a few years in industry. My employer has given me 50% of my usual work-week time - ie about 19 hours a week (flexibly scheduled to suit me, not a strict pattern)- to work on the PhD research work, with the expectation that the PhD is spread over double the full-time number of years. I know PhDs have a reputation for long hours - although I don't know to what extent this reflects the workload coming in fits-and-starts vs a steady workload; how much is down to poor student time management leading things to be packed in last-minute, and how much this reflects the workload *actually* being higher. Averaged over a year, how many hours a week is typically actually needed for a PhD? Is my work allocation enough, or do I necessarily need to put in outside-of-work hours to ensure I complete in time? If so, roughly by how much should I expect to need to put in?
"How can I find and apply for a hospital internship as a 6th semester biotechnology bachelor student in Islamabad and Rawalpindi"?I am currently in my 6th semester and looking for an internship opportunity at a hospital or medical/research lab in Islamabad, Pakistan. I have not done an internship before. I want to know: Which hospitals or institutes in Islamabad and Rawalpindi offer internship programs for students? What is the application process — do I apply directly or through my university? Is orientation or training provided? Any advice for a first-time applicant would be very helpful."
I am currently in my 6th semester and looking for an internship opportunity at a hospital or medical/research lab in Islamabad, Pakistan. I have not done an internship before. I want to know: Which hospitals or institutes in Islamabad offer internship programs for students? What is the application process — do I apply directly or through my university? Is orientation or training provided? Any advice for a first-time applicant would be very helpful."
Advice for a mature student part-time PhD?
Having previously finished my studies at Masters level and after spending a number of years in industry in operational technical roles, I've started doing more research work and found myself underqualified for research positions, having not originally completed a PhD. I'm fortunate that my employer has been able to support a part-time PhD to rectify this - however, as someone coming back into University as a part-time mature student, what change of mindset from my current industrial work approach do I need to be successful in a PhD and in research work?
Do I need a research mentor if I plan on conducting secondary research?
Hello! My name is Sanvhi and I am a rising junior. This summer and in the following months, I plan on conducting secondary research on the connection between architecture and domestic violence in India, exploring how spaces can impact the increase or decrease in violence taking place. To be honest, I am not completely sure how having a mentor works. In my research about it, I learned that I would assist them with their findings, and others different stories. I have heard that it is best to have a mentor for research, but since my research is not something I believe I can do with primary data I have gathered, I am not sure if I need one. If I did have one, I honestly am not sure what we would be able to discuss, or how they would be able to help me. Please let me know what you think. Thank you!
What career should I pursue, I am from biology background and confused?
Hey, I am a 3rd year student at IISER Bhopal. I am very much confused about what career should I pursue. After coming to the institute I got to know that I am not interested in research. In school I used to get good marks in everything so never thought of any subject as my fav one. Currently I am not interested in any kind of activities. I feel demotivated often. Sometimes it feels like that maybe I should join Indian foreign services but feels like I am behind and I don't want my parents to know about it and after my post graduation I need some kind of job or work. Then I think of being a business woman (joining iim) but then I don't know if I will like that career because since my school days I was never interested in it. My college grades are very bad. My dreams or things that I want to get fulfilled: 1) Time for my family and myself; 2) I want to build a university of my own; 3) I want to travel in foreign countries; 4) A good and stable income; 5) Social work
What can I expect in a career like non-partisan policy analysis?
I am a 15 year old and I enjoy researching in my down time and a drive to solve world issues. In my recent dive into future careers, I found out about a policy analyst career, which I found interesting and, perhaps, too good to be true. I would like to ask professionals about the positives and negatives of getting into non-partisan analysis, which path is best for both my interests in social/environmental issues, and what skills I might need to develop as a current 9th grader, going into 10th grade. A lot of details would be highly appreciated.
What are some keywords?
Question writing tips
Why is immunology an important job?
Why is having immunologist important to peoples health and finding cures in for the immune system.
When should I cold email professors for lab experience or observation?
Hi, I’m a transfer student planning to attend a 4 year university as a psych major this fall. I wanted to ask when is a good time to cold email professors due to my schedule. Ideally, I would like to start as soon as possible (around summer and then into the fall), so I’ll get more experience. However, I am working full time and taking classes this summer. I do have some availability to go to office hours and lab meetings but that depends on the labs and professors that I am interested in. I wanted to know if it’ll look bad if I cold email professors around this time when I am busy, and if I should just wait until fall semester starts.
How rewarding is it to know you are directly helping or contributing to something that can benefit many people?
Specifically for those in STEM areas. This fall, I will be attending the University of Washington - Seattle, intending to major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. I am interested in conducting research in a lab or potentially studying medicine. I would like to know what it feels like to have a direct impact on people's lives, whether you are working in a hospital or a lab.