Research experience as an undergraduate

[grad_girl]

Hi everyone!
I'm currently an undergraduate student (junior) seeking to pursue my Master's in Higher Education upon graduation.  I was just offered to be a research assistant with a first author professor for next fall, (fall 2016) my senior year.

I will have two other internships next fall, so I will be busy.  However, I was wondering whether or not I should accept this offer?

In other words, do M. Ed. or M. Arts programs research-focused at all?  Does it depend on the program?  What would this experience look like for my applications since my research experience will be starting around the time I'm completing grad school applications.  This research opportunity is NOT in education, it is in my major.

Also, I've done research with a professor previously, not in education either.  So, I've done a little research before.

If anyone could please help me, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you!

Edited May 3, 2016 by grad_girl

[juilletmercredi]

It depends on the program, and what you are looking for. Some higher education programs may be viewed as stepping stones for people who want to go on to a PhD or EdD, but I'm betting that most of the are professional programs that are looking to prepare higher ed professionals for work. Moreover, your career goals matter, too - if you want to be a higher ed professional and not a researcher in the field, research experience may be less important to you.

The question is - what do you want to do? Does the research interest you, do you want to do it? Is the commitment worth it to you to balance alongside your other commitments, purely on the basis of interest? Or are you only even considering it because of how good it might look on your resume? If it's the latter, I think you've answered your own question.

[ZeChocMoose]

I would pass.  Higher ed master's programs don't expect applicants to have research experience and are much more concerned that you have relevant education experience or at the very least education-adjacent experience.

Also trying to complete two internships, be the first author on a research paper, applying to grad school, and still attending college seems pretty unsustainable to me.  At the very worse - your performance in one of those activities may suffer and/or you'll suffer severe burn out.

Instead - I would focus on doing a great job in the two internships that you have already committed to.

[grad_girl]

On May 12, 2016 at 4:14 AM, juilletmercredi said:

It depends on the program, and what you are looking for. Some higher education programs may be viewed as stepping stones for people who want to go on to a PhD or EdD, but I'm betting that most of the are professional programs that are looking to prepare higher ed professionals for work. Moreover, your career goals matter, too - if you want to be a higher ed professional and not a researcher in the field, research experience may be less important to you.

The question is - what do you want to do? Does the research interest you, do you want to do it? Is the commitment worth it to you to balance alongside your other commitments, purely on the basis of interest? Or are you only even considering it because of how good it might look on your resume? If it's the latter, I think you've answered your own question.

 

On May 13, 2016 at 11:46 PM, ZeChocMoose said:

I would pass.  Higher ed master's programs don't expect applicants to have research experience and are much more concerned that you have relevant education experience or at the very least education-adjacent experience.

Also trying to complete two internships, be the first author on a research paper, applying to grad school, and still attending college seems pretty unsustainable to me.  At the very worse - your performance in one of those activities may suffer and/or you'll suffer severe burn out.

Instead - I would focus on doing a great job in the two internships that you have already committed to.

Hi juilletmercredi and zechocmoose,

Thank you both very much for your thoughtful responses.  I genuinely appreciate the insight you have given in determining my decision.

I've decided to decline this research opportunity.  Although I feel it would be a good experience, I don't see it being feasible with everything I have planned next fall and the direction I plan to head in my career.

Thanks again for your help!