Soliciting Engineering Lab Involvement

In this episode, Dr. Jill Fennell sits down with Dr. Brandon Dixon, Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies at the Woodruff School and Director of the Laboratory of Lymphatic Biology and Bioengineering at Georgia Tech. The two discuss how undergraduate engineers can get involved with lab work and how best to solicit lab directors for opportunities in different labs. 

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Show Notes and Timestamps:

• 01:01 Introduction to Topic and Guest
• 02:05 Value of lab involvement as an undergraduate
• 04:20 Advice for students interested in labwork and available labs
• 07:06 How does student communication shape their perception by lab faculty?
• 11:49 What qualities are lab directors looking for in potential students for labs?
• 14:03 Which ways of communicating are preferred by faculty?
• 16:10 How to demonstrate being a good fit for the lab and crafting identity in communication
• 19:05 Demonstrating readiness and fit without over or underselling yourself
• 21:16 How can students show preparation if they don’t have any research yet?
• 23:30 What kind of language signals understanding of research vs. wanting a lab job?
• 25:33 What are common questions asked during the meeting stage?
• 27:37 Good questions from students during the meeting
• 31:28 Good practices for following up after email exchange
• 33:41 Reasonable window for a next steps follow up email
• 36:37 How best to communicate a change in plans without burning bridges
• 38:08 One takeaway piece of advice for students interested in lab research; outro

A list of undergraduate research opportunities is shared here.

Take a look at an example email solicitation here. 

A transcript of this episode is available here. 

Episode Edited by Lee Hibbard.