By Dallas Kerr

College is a time of opportunism and the pursuit of success. While many students involve themselves in the academic community on a regular basis, countless undergraduates are either unaware of the opportunities available to them, or are not confident in their ability to gain entry into these programs. I was one of these students until the beginning of the Fall 2007 semester.

During the summer following my freshman year, my general chemistry professor contacted me with a research opportunity. She wanted me to work as an undergraduate research assistant in her lab. I was astounded. As a sophomore, I was unaware that I was able to gain obtain employment within professors’ laboratories. At the time, I believed that junior year was the earliest time that one could could become a research assistant.

Prior to my employment, I had to read safety material and pass safety exams in order to gain access to the lab. These tests were very easy and within a week, I was attending my lab orientation. Initially, I expected the procedural aspects of the lab experiments to be very meticulous and difficult. Fortunately, I found that they were very straight forward, easy, and fun. I was now experiencing chemistry in a new way, the “real world way.” Having taken undergraduate chemistry labs before, I was amazed at how explicit and relevant research in an actual lab was. I soon realized that science was more than just following the step-by-step instructions of my Chem 112 and 113 labs activities; it was the ability to formulate your own ideas based on the analysis of other person’s research.

Only a month after my admittance to the laboratory, I have begun my own project. My plan is to use magnets to separate nanoparticles flowing in a micro channel. To date, no one has published a paper on this experiment. This means that I have the opportunity to contribute something entirely unique to the scientific community. Should my research turn out to be successful, it could be used in the application of biological agents in the medicinal field.

In conclusion, I want to stress the importance of discovering new opportunities for oneself. I was lucky enough to have such an opportunity offered to me. Unfortunately, most won’t have it this easy. You should take a few minutes to find out how to become more involved. Talking with professors or older students can lead to many opportunities. You will be amazed at how much you will learn from the new experiences. Not only are these experiences a great addition to your resume, they also allow you to build upon your prior knowledge and discover more about the field that you are interested in.

For more information on research research in chemistry, contact:

Mary Elizabeth Williams
Associate Professor of Chemistry
The Pennsylvania State University
104 Chemistry Building
University Park PA 16802