Doing Research as a Freshman (WISER)

Hey everybody! My name is Kristen Myatt and I’m a rising senior in Chemical Engineering. When I was a freshman I got involved in research here at Penn State, and YOU can too! It does not matter what your major of interest is, you can do research in any engineering field (and many non-engineering ones!).

All labs at Penn State are different. Usually, though, there is a professor that oversees the research and a team of students complete the bulk of the work. That mean as a student in a lab, YOU will do the hands on research!

Research is not for everybody, but I do recommend trying it at least once if you think it might interest you even a little. It is a great idea to try lots of new things at Penn State, so you can start to decide what kind of work you like and don’t like.

Kristen making a block co-polymer for a solar cell

One great way for first year women to get involved in research is through the WISER (Women In Science and Engineering Research) Program. You can apply to the WISER Program during your first semester at Penn State. If you are accepted, you will be placed in a research lab of your choice starting your second semester. Through this program, you will work with a professor for two whole semesters (spring of freshman year and fall of sophomore year). After those two semesters, you may be invited to continue your work in the lab, as I was. It is also common for students to stay through the summer, but only if they desired to do so.

The WISER Program isn’t the only way to get involved. You can also simply ask one of your professors if you can join their lab. Seriously! Just walk up to them and say, “I’ve read about your research and it looks really interesting. I would like to talk about joining your lab.” Sometimes they won’t have space in their lab available, so don’t get discourage if you don’t get your first choice.

Most of the time, research is completed for credit that goes towards your major. After my sponsorship through the WISER program ended, I stayed on and worked in the lab for research credits.

If you want to get involved in research at Penn State, don’t be afraid to get out there and do it! I did it, and you can too! And if you don’t know where to start, you can always ask me, your mentors, or an engineering advisor. Good luck at Penn State!

Kristen Myatt is a senior in Chemical Engineering, and she is a Mentor for WEPO '14!