• To find specific faculty, you can start at https://www.syracuse.edu/academics/departments/, choose the department(s) that interest you, then browse the staff or faculty listings to find their websites and research interests.
• Read about their research on their websites. You might scan the abstracts from their recent publications. You can also ask a librarian for help finding these.

Approach faculty with respect.

• Before you approach professors, prepare yourself by already being familiar with their research:
  • Contact professors during their office hours or via email (but do not send a general email to a whole list of professors).
  • When you introduce yourself, discuss your interests, qualifications (relevant coursework, past experience), and expectations. Have your résumé and transcripts ready.
  • Your letter (or conversation) should express why you want to be a part of this professor's research. Professors typically like to work with undergraduates, but they cannot say yes to everyone who asks; make it easy for them to choose you.
  • You may want to interview other students who have worked with the professor.
• When and where possible, consider talking with professors instead of emailing.
  • Professors get lots of email. It is easy to overlook an email message.
  • You can go deeper in a face-to-face conversation, and can sometimes turn a "no" into a more useful answer.
  • If a professor says his or her lab is full, if you are talking rather than emailing, you might follow up with questions like:
    • When would be a good time to come back to ask again?
    • What do you look for?
    • Are there particular skills I should cultivate or courses I should take first?
    • Can I shadow someone in your lab so I can see the work students are doing?

• Ask which professors take students, and what are their labs or groups like.
• You can talk with any or all of the following:
  • Teaching assistants;
  • Lab instructors;
  • Departmental staff, academic or non-academic: advisors, administrative staff, program directors, etc.;
  • Professors (if professors don't have room in their labs, you can ask if they can suggest any colleagues to you);
  • Peers - students you know who have already participated in undergraduate research;
  • Peers - undergraduate student societies, whether departmental or faculty-wide.

• Departments showcase their students’ work on different days, typically in May. It’s best to begin exploring these research days in your first and second years at SU.
• Attend Honors Thesis Presentation day as a first year, and a sophomore for an in-person look at a completed Thesis project.  You will see what other students have done, and discover what you can do.

• Syracuse students may search the database of fellowships and scholarships available.  There may be programs listed that you can take advantage of on your research path: Go to  http://nationalscholarships.syr.edu and click on 'National Scholarships Directory' to search for opportunities.
• It is worth repeating: talk to professors. They may know about other awards or funding available to you.

• The Work Studyprogram subsidizes the cost of hiring students, including for research positions.
• Applicants must demonstrate financial need for the given academic year and apply to Work Study.
• Some professors do not know about this opportunity. If you are eligible, tell the professor when you are talking with her/him.

The Syracuse Library provides essential services, programs and resources to support the research of McGill students and faculty. These include:

• workshops and tours linked to curriculum and assignments to help develop and build vital research skills,
• online subject guides to most disciplinary areas,
• articles, research databases, newspapers, e-journals, e-books, statistics and data, print resources, and more
• citation management softwareto use in organizing references, formatting bibliographies and avoiding plagiarism, plus how to cite guides; and
• computers and help in all branch libraries, plus online assistance.

• Learn how to network, write your C.V. and cover letter, interview and more...
• ...everything that matters when you apply for research positions and for work in the traditional job market.
• Visit Career Services in the Schine Student Center or visit the website.

• Check out our STEM Writing & Citing page for resources to help undergraduate students improve their science communication skills.
• Attend talks, seminars, colloquia organized by Syracuse departments and faculties.
• At specialist talks, it's okay if you don't understand that much of the technical stuff (you won't be the only one!). You'll get a sense of what scientists do, what the questions are, and what research is about - plus it's an opportunity to meet people in your department.
• Your Syracuse degree offers you excellent preparation for work in your field of study...
• ...but there are often opportunities outside your own department. Don't overlook possibilities for cross-disciplinary work where your skills overlap with another unit on campus.