The answer is that the same characteristics that will ultimately make you attractive as a job applicant when you are graduated from college are likely to be the same characteristics that will make you attractive to a potential undergraduate research mentor. As an undergraduate, your mentor is not likely to expect you at the outset to possess the skills that a fully trained researcher in the field would have. He or she however will be interested in whether you are responsible, interested, and willing to learn. Your mentor will likely be interested in knowing what your future career plans are, what (if any work experience) you have had in the field, and he/she will likely be interested in knowing how your undergraduate research participation relates to your career plans. This person may also ask you about your academic background - what courses you have already taken in his/her field and what grades you have earned in those courses. Of course, it is important for you to answer these questions as completely and honestly as you can. If you have a weak academic record, be prepared to address this with your faculty mentor. At this meeting be sure to ask any questions you may have regarding compensation (is this a volunteer position, salaried, or research for academic credit), work schedule, etc. A list of some useful questions you may wish to ask your prospective mentor during your interview follows:
- How many hours each week will you expect me to work in the laboratory?
- How many weeks or months will you expect me to work?
- What form of compensation are you able to offer me for my participation in this project?
- If the position is salaried, what is the source of funding (industrial, federal, etc.)?
- What will my specific role be on the project?
- Who will be my immediate supervisor on the project?
- What training can I expect to receive?
- What skills can I expect to develop over the course of my participation in this project? With what instrumentation will I gain experience?
- How will you measure my progress on the project?
- Are there any regular group activities that you will expect me to attend?
- Will my research be likely to result in publication and/or presentation of this work? If so, what are your rules for authorship?
Afterward, be sure to follow up with a telephone call or e-mail "thank you." This is also a good time to address any questions you feel you may not have adequately addressed and to raise any concerns you might not have mentioned during your original interview. No matter what happens, be sure to thank the faculty member for his/her time as you never know what opportunities may arise at a later date.