Asking Professors for a Paid RA Position

[Meggy]

Hello, I'm new and have been looking though the threads here but haven't found anything regarding my question. I am going to graduate with my psych BA in the fall and have been working in one research lab since January and am starting work with another in the fall. Since I'm graduating early (in 3 years and 1 quarter) and would like to take 1 or 2 gap years before applying to grad schools, I would like to continue the work I've been doing with my research labs. The one I have been in longer I will be doing an independent study with in the fall and have 2 poster submissions I've been working on for them. We have also discussed possibly writing a publication. The other lab I will be starting also has poster/conference opportunities.

While I want to continue, I would not want to keep volunteering without pay since I won't be able to receive course credit and I will have my degree. However, I'm unsure how to go about asking professors for paid RA positions. Is this a common path people take after finishing undergrad? Has anyone else here been able to do paid work with professors after graduating? I'm currently working as a manager in a restaurant so I would love to finally leave and do research full-time! ?

Also, I am currently unsure of what grad school programs I want to apply to, but I'