Volunteering

Many labs across campus take students on as volunteers. Although you may not be extracting enzymes or studying the influence of architecture on urbanization the first month you are working, you will gain valuable experience and most importantly, you will be building a positive working relationship with the professor.

Often, you may get discouraged going in three – four times a week to wash beakers, but keep in mind – when you do go to find a thesis professor or a summer lab job, you have already a potential thesis supervisor who knows who you are or you can confidently say, yes I do have experience working in a lab. After a couple of months of doing routine maintenance around the lab, you may be given an independent project to work on, provided the lab coordinator is confident with your abilities.

Research experience does not only come from working in a lab. If you are interested in child development, and hope to do your thesis work on that topic, volunteering in an interactive environment with children will be an asset. Keeping in mind your goal, remember that direct experience is not necessarily required. Focus more on the transferable skills that will make you a successful candidate when applying for a research position.

Contacting a professor to volunteer for is similar to the process of contacting a professor to work for. However, you are not restricted to volunteering only at McMaster University. The Hamilton and surrounding community have many programs that you may take a part of. Check out the links below.