Incoming aerospace grad student, need help maybe telling professor i am disinterested in his research?

[Vinh Nguyen]

So i have been working with a professor for part of my undergraduate degree, but i am finding that his research is not within my interests. He is not my official advisor, but he has helped me a bit with a fellowship application for a project that i have no enthusiasm for. Before it progresses any further, i very much want to try to at least go for something i enjoy more. He has been very nice to me, and i absolutely hate that my spinelessness has caused me to not voice my concerns earlier, and i have thus wasted his time. What can i do? Any advice would begreatly appreciated.

[Gatech_ST]

Don't worry, many were in similar boat,. Your professor has been good to you and you are just interested in different topic, he/she shouldn't take offense.

The first thing I would advice you is to really know what you want to do, this way you can clearly articulate that to your adviser. You will look much better then simply telling them that you are not interested in their work, as you might come off as lost.. He/she might even help you suggest a colleague or a collaboration of some sort. 

Research what other faculties/labs are doing in your department/school. Hopefully you will find interesting sub field and then you can email them and ask for interview. I would ask for possible research project available and try to do well in them.

 

Good luck!