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! 

WISER Program at Penn State

Hey lovely ladies!

Today I wanted to talk to you about the WISER program. Yes, it’s a program that’s meant to make you wise…er! Seriously though, WISER stands for Women In Science and Engineering Research. It’s a program that’s meant to give women an opportunity to work in a research lab, especially as freshman!

Just for a little bit of background: I’m a junior in chemical engineering and I am now a mentor for WEPO! I’m so excited! But more to the point, when I was a freshman I went to all the WEP Wednesdays throughout the year. During the first semester, I went to a meeting where a sophomore stood up and told us about experience with the WISER program. So I decided to apply! A few weeks later I found out that I was accepted into the program and that I would start in the Solar Cell Research Lab when my second semester started.

I was really scared to start working there. I mean, I had absolutely zero lab experience and I did not know my new lab professor. But everything turned out okay – better than okay really! I’ve been working in this lab for the last three semesters, and I’ve learned so much.

I know you might think that it’s too early to start applying to work in a research lab, and you might think you aren’t quite ready yet. Don’t worry, it’s not as much pressure as you might think! The lab professors are very helpful, and their main goal is to help you learn. Not to mention, the experience you gain working in a lab will be invaluable in your future!

It’s also important for me to mention that this program isn’t just for bio and chemical engineers; it’s for all kinds of engineers and scientists. There are so many different labs on campus that you can apply to: mechanical and computer engineering labs even. You don’t even have to be sure of your major!

The WISER program will place you in a lab of your choice for two semesters, and you will receive a stipend when you finish. After those two semesters you may continue working in that lab, or ask to join another professor’s lab, or stop doing research altogether. It’s all up to you!

If you are in the Honor’s College, you will need to write a thesis by the time you graduate. The WISER program will help you get a head start with all of that! No need to panic : )

The most important thing is to take the first step. You may not be sure if you like research or not, but the only way to know is to just try it out!

I’m sure we’ll talk more about this at a WEP Wednesday during the first two months of the semester. If you have any other questions about it, please come and find me at WEPO! I’d be more than happy to tell you all about it!

Your super excited mentor,
Kristen Myatt : )

Kristen Myatt is a junior in Chemical Engineering and a Mentor for WEPO'13!  To read more about Kristen visit her WEPO Profile: http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!kristen-myatt/c3lb