Research Assistant
Insider Info
Each year, thousands of hours go into scientific, informational and observational
research. Thousands of volunteer research assistants will work alongside trained,
paid researchers to help move the projects forward.
Volunteer research assistants help with research in a number of different
areas. For example, a volunteer research assistant might help a nonprofit
organization by researching the types of grants that the organization can
qualify for. Another might work with a wildlife organization, tagging and
logging information about birds or other animals. Another might work in an
agricultural setting, trying to find ways to increase crop yield or prevent
damage cause by insects.
Research assistants volunteer for many different reasons. Some want to
help with a program that interests them. Others are working toward a career
in the field.
Frank Eversole is the executive director of the National Defense University
Foundation in Ft. McNair, DC. He says research assistants should be able to
use periodicals, textbooks, reference materials and video to collect information.
They should be able to review data, communicate in writing and use computer-based
library directories.
As science progresses and organizations grow in size and number, the need
for volunteer research assistants may increase, according to Stephen Winter.
He's the assistant refuge manager at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service in Alamo, Texas. "Research assistants will be just as essential in
the future as they are now," he says.
"I think they could be utilized more often, because I see the job market
becoming more competitive, and employers should realize that it's not too
hard to find people who are willing to work for free."
James Smith is the bander-in-charge at a bird banding station. He is also
chairman of a bird observatory. He says there are many opportunities for students
who want to volunteer as research assistants.
"[Volunteers] help extract birds from the mist nets, weigh, do wing measurements,
fat content, and age and identify birds that are caught," he says. "They eventually
are allowed, under supervision, to band the birds. In addition, they do a
daily census route identifying and counting the birds encountered on the route."
The experience that volunteers gain is helpful to their careers, says Smith.
"The volunteers benefit from the actual hands-on field experience that they
have at a bird banding station," he says. "They have additional qualifications
to add to a resume. They leave here with a letter outlining what they were
involved with, the number of hours spent in the field and someone that they
can use as a reference."
Julia Henshaw is a volunteer research assistant at a marine institute.
She says that her volunteer work has helped her to understand what a career
in marine biology would really be like. "I'm learning skills that I will need
in my career. And I have a lot of fun with what I do."
Henshaw admits that some of the things she sees during her volunteer shifts
are sad. "I was with a group once that rescued a loggerhead turtle that had
gotten tangled in one of those plastic six-pack rings. The turtle hadn't been
able to get loose from it, and so his shell had grown around it. By the time
we found it and cut the ring away, there was a permanent indentation in his
shell from it."
Despite the occasional downfalls of volunteering, Henshaw recommends volunteering
to anyone who wants to get involved. "Go for it. Check with the organization
you want to volunteer with to find out what they need," she says. "Most organizations
will be happy to have you, and you'll make friends and learn things that you
just can't learn in the classroom. It's different being in the field."
Eversole says there are other reasons why students should volunteer as
research assistants. "The volunteer has a unique opportunity to work closely
with some of the leading experts in their field, learning the development
process that eventually leads to publication of a work."
He's quick to note that organizations also benefit from having volunteers
as well. "The organization benefits from having a trained assistant, provided
at no cost to the institution, who can enable the researcher to focus on the
project or study and use their valuable time in a more constructive manner,"
he says.
"I think the future for volunteer research assistants is bright. Many postgraduate
programs require their candidates to participate as a research assistant.
And there are always more requirements for their services than there are qualified
candidates to meet those requirements."
How to Get Involved
Different programs have different volunteer requirements. In some cases,
volunteer positions are open to anyone. In other programs, volunteers need
to complete certain college courses.
Universities and nonprofits, such as conservation or wildlife organizations,
may require volunteer research assistants. Check with your university or with
a local nonprofit organization that interests you. You can also check websites
like idealist.org or volunteermatch.org for volunteer postings. (Type "research"
into the search field.)
There may be costs associated with volunteering as a research assistant.
Some organizations will provide all necessary equipment. Others may require
volunteers to provide their own equipment.
Physical requirements vary depending on the program. Some programs need
participants to lift heavy objects. Others need only willing minds.
Links
Sea Turtle Research and Education Program
Learn about one overseas volunteer research assistant program
Idealist.org
Search for various volunteer opportunities throughout the country
Volunteer Match
Search for volunteer jobs near you
World Volunteer Web
Find international news, information and resources on volunteering
Back to Career Cluster