TLDR: I wish this existed when I was completing my undergrad: Undergraduate Research Hub

How I've gone about getting research:

• I started my research at U of T through the Arts and Science's Research Opportunity Program

  • At the time, I had to submit an application with a statement of interest, my academic history and course list

  • Check out the site early or look at past year projects to get an idea of what type of research is available

  • This turned into a work-study and ultimately a project I continued working on in my spare time

• I later completed four different undergrad theses projects for credits

  • MSE492H: Research Thesis I 

    • I reached out to a prof that I had taken two courses with previously because I enjoyed his teaching style

    • More info on this project here

  • MSE493H: Research Thesis II

    • I was interested in biomimicry in materials science and I knew that this lab took thesis students

    • I cold emailed this prof asking to set up a chat to discuss the possibility of a project for me

    • More info on this project here

  • MSE498Y: Capstone Project for the Design of Materials Processes

    • My program allowed me to take engineering courses and required that I complete a research thesis project in my last year. I wasn't sure that I'd get another MSE half year research project at the time, so I took this full year course as a back up. It turned out to be fun!

    • More info on this project here

  • EEB497H: Research Project in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

    • I was completing my minor requirements in my last semester and wanted to get more involved in plastic pollution research after a summer of field work so one day, while working in the field, I asked the prof (my current PI!) if there was any research I could help with in her lab. 

    • More info on this project here

Advice for reaching out to professors:

• Be genuinely curious. 

• Ask them for a meeting to chat about their research and if they are currently accepting undergrad research students.

• Keep trying! One of the professors I ended up working with didn't see an email I sent in my first year at U of T. Make sure to follow up within a reasonable time period if you're serious about something.

General advice:

• Have fun. I have a post-it at my desk reminding me how lucky I am to get to do research at a world-class institution

• If you don't have a good vibe or connection with a lab, decide whether the experience you might get is worth your energy and time

• Take academic integrity seriously. Shortcuts to advance your career in any way are not worth tarnishing your own image, your professor's lab or the university

• There are many other work-study positions that will allow you to gain research experience and earn some cash!

• If a professor says no, ask if they have any advice or other professors they think might be a better fit for what you're looking to gain experience in

• When I look back at my years at U of T, I'm not only going to be thinking about what classes I took, what exams were hard or which library I liked; I hope to look back on the formative years I spent in Toronto becoming a young woman in a fantastic community. 

• Join a sports team! I learnt how to row through U of T's Novice Rowing Program in my first year and have continued rowing ever since

• There are many clubs, course unions, organizations, events, and workshops on campus such as the U of T Trash Team, U of T Outing Club, U of T Environmental Resource Network and Bikechain

• Outside of university, I've taken part in internships and grants that have provided me with leadership and mentorship opportunities:

  • Ocean Wise 

  • Ocean Uprise (Parley for the Oceans)

• Take part in local life. Run the Waterfront marathon. Go to the farmer's markets on Sunday. Make friends with your building neighbours. 

• Hart House was made as a place for anything BUT academics, it is definitely my most favourite spot on campus. Check out their indoor Wes-Anderson-esque pool

• When I'm "too busy" to get a workout in or hang out with my friends, my work productivity plummets. Following a routine has helped me and it might help you!

• I didn't pause the rest of my life while completing my undegrad. I learnt how to surf, row, bike, and apply for grants to do fun things for my community. Everyone's circumstances are different and my choices meant that my grades weren't perfect but I'm content with the way I decided to split my energy and time

• University can be scary but is truly the place where you can reach new heights academically and otherwise such as jumping out of a plane at 12,250 ft or climbing an active volcano at 12,224 ft - speaking from personal experience

In my second year at U of T, I got a part time job writing about my life @ U of T. I hope you find these anecdotes useful!

1. What am I doing with my summer? – A Contemplation

2. #JoyatUofT: Mindfulness During Midterms

3. Making POSt and Making Friends

4. MSE101 – My First Engineering Class

5. Being Friends with Grad Students

6. My Love-hate Relationship with Year-long Courses

7. It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Finals!

8. Intercollegiate Group Work – My First Hackathon (continued)

9. Hackathons and Hatcheries – Interdisciplinary Hubs

10. Shh! It’s Reading Week – Meditation Retreat on Campus

11. What’s On Where? – Staying in the Know at U of T

12. Contingency Pack – Being Ready for Anything at U of T

13. From the Lab to the Hill – U of T Women In House

14. I Am a Tough Cookie – Imposter Syndrome

15. Art Escape – Nuit Blanche 2.0

16. Hart House has a Farm?? – Equinox Trip

17. In My Element – Switching Programs

18. When Will I Use the Quadratic Formula? – Applying Coursework in Real Life

19. 25 Hours in A Day – Making Time for Everything

20. Being Instructed to Use Mobile Devices in Class

21. 11 Months at U of T – Summer Transitioning

22. BRB – Figuring Out These Acronyms at U of T

23. Shooting for the Stars but Landing Amongst the Trees

24. A New Cycle – Bicycling on Campus/ in Toronto

25. The City as My Classroom – Ones Programs

26. Lunch with 30 Strangers – Alumni Events

27. Look Before You Leap – Advanced Courses

28. Sun’s Out, Books Out – Outdoor Study Spaces

29. Branching Out in STEM – Volunteering in Your Field