How to reach out to Professors for Research Opportunities

Have you ever wanted to be more involved with engineering? Or hoped to work alongside someone to learn and apply new knowledge, only to realize you’re not exactly sure how to make that happen?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people feel that way at first. That’s why I’m here to share some tips on how you can approach professors about research opportunities.

For this piece, I’ve teamed up with Connor Isaac, a third-year mechanical engineering student at the University of Toronto. Isaac is no stranger to research, with extensive experience in various opportunities, and has been involved in the CANSTOREnergy project, working with U of T Professor David Sinton.

Together, we’ve established a few tips to consider when you’re exploring your next research opportunity.

Establish yourself 

You might think this is easier said than done, but it really doesn’t take much. Often, these professors are teaching your courses, which gives you direct access, so make the most of it.

All professors have office hours. Go to them, even if you don’t have a question about the course. Of course, don’t interrupt them when they’re busy, but when things are calm, don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation.

Your professors are people, too, no matter how impressive. They like talking about their interests (often the course they teach) just like anyone else. Show them that you are someone who likes similar discussions, and you can form a connection. 

Be curious 

Yes, it sounds very cliche and generic, but it’s true! 

Curiosity about a variety of topics will open doors for you that you’d never have access to otherwise. Don’t limit yourself to just one subject or topic; be willing to look around at other things and explore. 

Research, at its core, is about curiosity, so you should be at least a little curious about the subject you’re trying to research. It shows commitment and initiative to professors if you showcase your curiosity either during class discussions or at office hours. 

Check your institution’s website for any research opportunities already available

Another step in the right direction is to check your university’s website for research opportunities that are already available to students. For those attending the University of Toronto, like Issac, this website would be called CLNx. It has several opportunities open throughout the semesters, making it a primary source to look at. 

Once you find a position you like and want to work in, you can go ahead and apply using the website itself. 

Great, now you're in the system. But how do you get noticed? How do you get a professor to look at your application, or better yet, seek out your application, and decide you are the one? 

Reaching out

If you want, you can apply via the website and just leave it at that, but from talking with those who’ve worked with professors, we’ve gathered that you should put in a bit of initiative. 

Reach out to professors in some way. You can send them an email or even talk with them in person. The point is, make sure you let them know that you’re interested and have applied. 

It doesn’t have to be overly formal either; you don’t need to send in your resume and cover letter again when you reach out. Just send an email - respectfully, of course - letting the professor know you’ve seen the posting for the position and you think you would be able to help out. Throw in some facts about how you're interested in the topic or ask some questions about the opportunity, and send it. 

Everyone gets nervous or can feel unsure when stepping into something new. We hope these tips provide guidance and encouragement for anyone looking to get involved in research. Don’t wait, reach out, ask questions, and take that first step. You never know where a single conversation with a professor could lead.