I do not know where I would be, currently, if I had never joined this research team; it has opened countless doors and inspired me to push myself and try something entirely new. Being an undergraduate research assistant has been an excellent experience for me. I initially came across the lab when I saw they were looking for an undergraduate research assistant in the Education Career Monthly newsletter. I researched the VIR Lab, including its focus, goals, and values. I was intrigued, so I leapt and applied. I had no prior experience in research. Still, I wanted to try and, at the very least, gain experience going through the process of writing a cover letter and being interviewed. When I first joined the team, I felt some self-doubt and uncertainty as I was joining amid an ongoing project. However, I am fortunate to be part of a very welcoming, supportive, and patient team that answered any questions I had and took the time to explain the processes. My work in the lab involves reading various papers, including commentaries, articles, and meta-analyses. I then summarize the paper, detailing its motivation, data, and results. During our meetings, we review the readings and identify any information that could be useful in our commentary. Lately, we have been focusing on writing the commentary, finding articles, and sorting through their definitions of spatial reasoning.
I took the time to read the papers multiple times, as needed, and ensured that I took notes in a way that allowed me to review the points in the paper and gain an understanding of its objective. Looking back, I wish I had asked more questions! Whenever I did, I learned a great deal. While it may be daunting to join a research team, especially once a project has already commenced, reading the papers and participating in the team discussions will soon help that feeling fade away. I have learned a tremendous amount from this experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As a result, I am now pursuing graduate studies with a focus on mathematics education in second-language settings. Joining this team expanded my horizons, introducing me to the world of research and academia, and allowed me to feel more confident.
I encourage any undergraduate to join a research team. It's an excellent learning experience, and you never know - it may inspire you!