How to get involved in undergraduate research
How to get involved in undergraduate research
- Research
- Undergraduate
February 3, 2025
With so many undergraduate research opportunities available to students in The Grainger College of Engineering, it can be difficult to know where to start. To help answer this question, we reached out to students doing research with our faculty members to ask how they got started in their labs. Below are some steps and advice to help you accelerate your research journey at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Step 1: Find out what you are interested in.
The first step is to find a lab or project that is working toward a goal you are interested in. If you are just getting started exploring your interests, you can find some of our college’s major research themes and stem out to various labs and faculty who do research in these areas. Consider what motivated you to become an Illinois Grainger engineer and what global problems you want to solve.
If you already know specific topics you would like to focus on, we have lists of faculty members who work in each area within our departments. Dig deeper into the faculty you would like to work with through their faculty pages and explore their lab’s websites.
It’s also important to keep in mind how intertwined many research topics are and how this creates new opportunities where you didn’t expect them. As a real-life example, you could do computer science research in an education professor’s lab, coding an educational game! This is one way you can apply your skills for a niche interest or goal.
Step 2: Apply!
There are several ways to get involved in research as an Illinois Grainger engineer across campus and even outside of it. Below are a few ways you can begin your research experiences.
Reach out to faculty independently.
Many research positions form organically by simply reaching out to a professor and explaining your interest in their work. If you love a certain professor's class or have a particular professor whom you are interested in working with, reach out to them! Even if they are not currently working on a project related to that subject, they may be able to introduce you to other faculty members who are.
You can either schedule a meeting or email them directly with your inquiry, but keep in mind that you should be formal and deliberate in your approach. If you are speaking to them in person, be sure to be on time, prepared with questions and dressed semi-professionally. If you are emailing them, have a friend or advisor read over your initial email and include your resume and CV to be more efficient.
Formally apply.
Some of the larger labs on campus consistently need undergraduates to help graduate students with their projects. These groups often have application portals on their website or instructions on whom to reach out to for application information. When researching different groups, determine if they have a formal application process set up.
You can also explore the campus-wide site for undergraduate research — and don't forget to pay attention to any communications from your department sharing opportunities via email, Canvas or newsletters!
When submitting your resume and CV this way, it is even more important to be well-polished since you won’t know the accessor personally. Be sure to utilize Engineering Career Services to find resume templates and help reviewing your application content.
Participate in research programs.
Some students may want more structure in their research through an REU, or Research Experience for Undergraduates. We maintain a list of these programs to help you find an experience that fits your needs. Although REUs are not all-encompassing, if a more formal research program is something you are interested in, this is a great place to start.
Your experience can range from on-campus to abroad and be full or part-time. REUs are a great way to get hands-on experience with research while building relationships and even traveling!
Step 3: Gain experience and confidence.
Undergraduate research can help you grow academically and personally. You may find out that you are interested in something you never dreamed of, or what career path you want to follow upon graduation. Some students may realize that they no longer want to pursue a Ph.D. and instead choose to go to law school or straight to industry. Not all journeys will look the same — and that's okay as long as it’s yours! So, find something that you are interested in and pursue it. After all, your passion and drive are what make you an Illinois Grainger engineer.