{"id":1930,"date":"2023-03-31T07:15:26","date_gmt":"2023-03-31T14:15:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/careerpathways\/?page_id=1930"},"modified":"2026-05-08T12:44:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T19:44:37","slug":"research-experience","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/careerpathways\/grad-school-advising\/research-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Gaining research experience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\n\n \n Time to research!<\/span>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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\n Explore research opportunities on and off campus!\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Gaining hands-on experience is an important part of any well-designed career development strategy whether you wind up applying to graduate school or not. Now is the time to explore options to determine if certain career paths are right for you. We highly suggest engaging in research and other experiential opportunities to help you make an informed decision regarding your future career path.<\/span><\/p>\n

Focus on opportunities that will help you explore your areas of interest and broaden your experiences as a whole.\u00a0 Remember- graduate schools are looking for well-rounded candidates- every candidate should bring their unique qualifications when applying. Use research, internships, and other experiential opportunities as tools to explore your interests while demonstrating your focus and determination.\u00a0 ENJOY!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n

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\n Steps to find and secure research opportunities\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Research is an amazing way to gain relevant experience that will help you explore your potential career of interest while building experience.<\/p>\n

The month before each new semester starts is a great time to approach researchers for potential research opportunities.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Steps:<\/p>\n

1- Use the links to the right as a starting point to start looking for opportunities<\/strong> that will help you explore your interests while gaining hands-on experience.<\/p>\n

2- Once you find an opportunity of interest, tailor a resume and cover letter that explain your interests and skills related to the opportunity.<\/strong>\u00a0 Mentioning coursework and academic projects that have helped you gain experience in you application materials is a great to demonstrate your abilities to support the research efforts.<\/p>\n

3- Apply to the research position posting<\/strong>.\u00a0 If a specific position is not posted, feel free to email the contact person or researcher directly expressing interest in a research position.\u00a0 Share your resume, cover letter, class schedule, as well as the number of hours weekly you may be able to commit to research<\/strong>.\u00a0 While many research opportunities are unpaid, we suggest mentioning if you have been granted federal work study funds.\u00a0 In your email, we also suggest asking what the appropriate next steps might be in the process of securing a research role with them.<\/p>\n

4- If you applied to a specific research opportunity (as opposed to a research scholarship) follow up on the opportunity 5 business days after applying<\/strong>.\u00a0 Please be patient in this process- some researchers will be in the field or lab and\/or unable to answer emails on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

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Research Programs by USC Schools<\/h3>\n \n We recommending you start your search here first! Scroll down to “Undergraduate Research Opportunities.”\r\n\r\nBookmark this page and visit often!<\/span>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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USC Research Centers <\/h3>\n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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USC Academic Honors and Fellowships<\/h3>\n \n Advisement, programming and resources that encourage the exploration and attainment of high-impact experiential learning opportunities.<\/span>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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USC Research Gateway Scholars<\/h3>\n \n Interested in learning how to conduct formal research and having the opportunity to engage in a real-world research project? Take a look!<\/span>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Experiential and Applied Learning<\/h3>\n \n Explore opportunities to deepen your understanding of your chosen course or discipline while exploring your own journey of self-discovery.<\/span>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Research Opportunities through Dornsife Letters, Arts and Sciences for cross-campus students<\/h3>\n \n These opportunities are not only for Dornsife majors! Scroll toward bottom of page.<\/span>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Pre-Health related research opportunities<\/h3>\n \n Check out the USC Pre-Health Advising team’s favorite links to find research! <\/span>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Trojan Research Association (student run organization)<\/h3>\n \n Access research workshops, be matched with a USC faculty member and present your research progress at an end-of-year research symposium.<\/span>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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USC Clinical Trials<\/h3>\n \n Interested in supporting a USC-sponsored medical clinical trial? Use the search option on this page to find clinical trials and locate contact information.<\/span>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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USC Pressroom\/Expert Directory<\/h3>\n \n Find and reach out to faculty and staff who share your interests!<\/span>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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USC SURF and SHURE programs<\/h3>\n \n SURF and SHURE are opportunities for USC Dornsife students to pursue research in conjunction with Dornsife faculty members during the summer semester.<\/span>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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USC COMPASS<\/h3>\n \n USC COMPASS prepares undergraduate students for careers in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine though an intensive two-year program during their junior and senior years.<\/span>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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USC Gould School of Law<\/h3>\n \n Explore Gould’s interdisciplinary legal centers and initiatives.<\/span>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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USC Viterbi School of Engineering<\/h3>\n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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USC Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) <\/h3>\n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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USC Center for International Studies (CIS)<\/h3>\n \n USC CIS provides funding to faculty and graduate students to hire undergraduate research assistants.<\/span>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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USA and internationally-based research positions<\/h3>\n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Research-related positions at universities (includes undergraduate positions)<\/h3>\n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Professional associations<\/h3>\n \n Look for info within each professional association’s page<\/span>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Education and career training opportunities in STEM<\/h3>\n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Popular US-Based Research Institutions<\/h3>\n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":0,"parent":1858,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1930","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nGaining research experience - Dornsife Career Pathways<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Enhance your undergraduate experience with hands-on research that strengthens your academic and career goals. 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