How to find approach foreign professors for research

How to find approach foreign professors for research internships Lukas Bischof

Three steps 1. Understand your options • Funding • Timeslot • HSE Formal requirements 2. Find a professor / department where you want to do your internship • Understand what you want • Understand what they need • Conduct informational interviews 3. Get them to accept you • Writing application emails

Understand what you are looking for • Ask your professors who the most renowned/most helpful professors are for your topic • Check whose articles/books you really liked • Identify what your strengths are – – skills (statistical methods, database research, …) software (R, SPSS, Citavi, Max. QDA, etc. ) theories subject expertise • Identify what you want to learn – Exposure to research environment – Acquaintance with renowned scholars – Get the opportunity to discuss your Ph. D project

Finding an intership • Make a short-list • Understand what they want! – Skills, network, potential new partners… • A road less traveled: use informational interviews

Informational Interviews • Speaking with a key person within an organization • Seeking out individuals who know the job/organization/industry that interests you … get the insider view – Professors, other academics • Don’t ask for a internship – ask questions to understand the organization • You can… – – 3/22/04 Set the appointment Decide what you need to know Conduct the meeting Ask the questions

Why conduct informational interviews 1. To supplement information you already have 2. Understand what the department/professor/organization needs, what you can do for them, which options there are 3. get referrals that will help and extend your search 4. be remembered favorably and actively 3/22/04

The interview 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 3/22/04 Opening Interview (2 -3 mins) Set Agenda (1 min) Brief Background (3 mins) Your Questions (15 mins) To whom to turn (1 min) Any Questions for Me? (3 mins) Closing Interview (1 min) Thank-you Letter

Dialogue 1. Opening – Casual conversation – “Let me tell you why I’m here. First of all thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with me. ” 2. Set An Agenda – Be perceived as a well organized professional – “As I said in my letter and call I do not want to take too much of your time. I would like to give you a brief overview of my background and the options I am considering and maybe ask you a few questions. Is that all right with you? 3/22/04

Dialogue, continued…. 3. Brief Background Overview – A. Begin with an upbeat statement • “I studied at # for my Bachelor’s and at # for my Master’s degree. • I really enjoyed (topic) and have started my Ph. D at the institute of education at HSE • I am very interested in the work of your research center/department because (#) • I have the possibility to do a research intership. I would be very interested to ask you a few questions about your research, whether you accept research interns and what kind of skills you would be looking for in interns 3/22/04

Dialogue, continued… 4. Your Questions – 7 -10 questions, general to specific, demonstrate your knowledge of their research – “What topics are you currently working on? ” – Which skills/methods/expertise is most valuable to you? – “Are there any ongoing or upcoming projects where you could use support by a research intern? ” – Do you think I would be a good intern for your research group? 3/22/04

Dialogue, continued… 5. Ask to whom to turn – – To whom should I write about my internship Is it ok if I write that we spoke? 6. Any Questions? – “[name] you have been most generous with your time. Before we wrap this up, are there any questions you would like to ask me? ” 7. Closing the Interview – “Once again I want to thank you for being so generous with your time. You have been of great help to me 8. Thank you e-mail – 3/22/04 After interview, write a thank-you e-mail!

Side benefits of interviews Improvement of communication and job search skills You will be fairly unique You show initiative and purpose Development of self-confidence Building a network which can support your career and personal needs • Giving a positive approach to your to search • • • 3/22/04

2. Writing to professors • The Goal: – Convince a professor that you have the potential to producing high standard academic work – …or at least be useful • The problem: Professors get lots of emails – How do you show that you are a person he/she will want to deal with?

What clearly does not help • • • …write impersonal letters (“Dear Sir/Madam”). … send the same e-mail to more than one person! … use an informal and casual style in first contacts …be inclear about what you want …making mistakes in grammar or spelling … ask for funding and resources (in your first mail)

What helps • Be concise - Have add least 1 -2 sentences explaining why you are a good fit for exactly this faculty member • Gear letter to specific person. – – Research what they do. Explain why you write to them specifically Think what they might find interesting Show your matching research areas (name them!) • Attach a concise description of the kind of research you would like to undertake

What helps • Check grammar and spelling! • attach a link to your resume / brief CV so that the professor can get a more comprehensive picture of the person you are (your academic and professional background, age, skills etc. ) – Use EUROPASS format: europass. cedefop. europa. eu/ • get recommended ! – by your professor – by another student who has done his internship – by another expert in the field

Do not give up • Do not feel discouraged if some of your emails remain unanswered. Most professors are extremely busy and will only get back to you if they are seriously interested in your research proposal and can offer adequate supervision. • Don’t hesitate to write a polite follow-up email if he/she hasn’t answered within 1 -2 weeks.

Dear Professor X: My name is Ivanov. # recommended that I get in touch with you because I am very interested in [#Subject Area]. I am currently a # year Ph. D student at the Institute of Education of the Higher School of Economics. I have read your article/book # in # and I have written a term paper on #/published on At HSE we have the possibility to do a research internship. I would very much like to have the opportunity to spend this internship at your research group in order to get greater exposure to an international research environment and have the opportunity to work with you and your team. I also hope to have the opportunity to discuss my Ph. D project. Next to my great interest in [#topic] I hope that my skills in [#skills (statistical methods, database research, …) software (R, SPSS, Citavi, Max. QDA, etc. ) theories, subject expertise] might allow me to make a contribution to your work. You can have a look at my resume at [LINK]. I would be happy for the opportunity to work with you and your team and look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Ivanov Institutional Address Phone E-mail

Good luck! 20, Myasnitskaya str. , Moscow, Russia, 101000 Tel. : +7 (495) 628 -8829, Fax: +7 (495) 628 -7931 www. hse. ru