When you get involved in research or creative activity, you will typically work on a project outside of class under the guidance of your faculty mentor. First, you must find a faculty mentor to supervise your work. If you have taken a class that interested you, the instructor teaching that course would be a great first contact. You may also find opportunities in the database below. Review potential mentors’ websites, read some of their recent publications, and reflect on your own goals and how research or creative inquiry aligns with your goals.
After compiling a list of potential mentors, contact them via email and inquire about working with them. In the email, you should introduce yourself (name, year in school, major, any relevant coursework or training), articulate what interests you about their research or creative endeavors, what you would like to learn, and ask if they are accepting new students. Don’t get discouraged if you do not receive an immediate response or if some faculty aren’t taking students. Any involvement in research or creative inquiry will be a productive experience that will be beneficial to your development while at Penn State Altoona.
Search for opportunities in Penn State's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Database.
