why EVERYONE should do research in college | spilling the tea on my 4 research experiences

Summary

In this video, Tiffany, a Stanford student studying computer science and sustainability, highlights the value of doing research in college. She shares her personal experiences in diverse fields like marine science, ancient agriculture, and artificial intelligence. Tiffany explains that research helps make the world smarter, offers hands-on career exploration, teaches deep knowledge in specific areas, and hones critical thinking skills. She also emphasizes how research experience looks great on a resume and can lead to opportunities at top tech companies. Tiffany encourages students to get involved in research and shares information about the sponsor, Polygens, an online research academy for high school students.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tiffany is a Stanford student studying computer science and sustainability, with diverse research experiences across the world.
• 😀 Research contributes to the world by answering unsolved questions, making it smarter and better. Tiffany's marine science work will help inform policy on marine protected areas.
• 😀 Research allows students to test drive different majors and career paths. Tiffany's research experiences helped her choose computer science as her major.
• 😀 Tiffany recommends research for high school students to explore potential college majors, gain valuable experience, and improve college applications.
• 😀 Polygens is an online research academy that pairs high school students with expert mentors at top universities like Stanford and Harvard.
• 😀 Research gives students the opportunity to dive deeply into subjects, gaining hands-on experience and specialized knowledge that is not covered in regular classroom settings.
• 😀 Tiffany's experience studying ancient Hawaiian agriculture in Hawaii is an example of how research can provide unique opportunities and valuable real-world experience.
• 😀 Research develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which are essential for success in future careers and are highly valued by employers.
• 😀 Research experience looks impressive on resumes and can help secure interviews with top companies like Google, Microsoft, and Reddit.
• 😀 Tiffany encourages students to get involved in research during college to enrich their academic experience and open up future career opportunities.
• 😀 Tiffany concludes by thanking Polygens for sponsoring the video and encouraging viewers to explore the link for more information.

Q & A

Why is research important for college students, according to Tiffany?

Tiffany emphasizes that research allows students to contribute to the world by answering unanswered questions, creating new knowledge, and having a real-world impact. It helps make the world a smarter and better place.

Can you give an example of how Tiffany's research contributed to real-world impact?

Tiffany worked on marine science research in Monterey, where she analyzed global fishing patterns using satellite data. This work helped inform policy related to marine protected areas, which aims to conserve the ocean.

How did Tiffany's research experience help her in choosing a major?

Tiffany worked in a biopsychology lab where she studied the effects of nature on mental health. This experience helped her explore both biology and psychology but ultimately led her to choose computer science after realizing she was more interested in computational research.

What is Polygens, and how is it related to the topic of research in the video?

Polygens is an online research academy that pairs middle and high school students with expert research mentors from top universities. Tiffany recommends it as a way for high schoolers to explore research and potentially test out future college majors.

Why does Tiffany believe research is beneficial for students seeking career opportunities?

Tiffany highlights that research experience teaches critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are highly valued by employers. It also makes a resume stand out, as research experience demonstrates independent thinking and the ability to work on complex problems.

How did Tiffany's research in Hawaii enhance her learning experience?

In Hawaii, Tiffany worked on a farm studying ancient Hawaiian agriculture. This hands-on experience allowed her to learn about farming techniques, Hawaiian history, and engage with scientists, offering insights that wouldn’t be possible in a classroom setting.

What kind of skills do students gain from doing research, according to Tiffany?

Students gain critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent learning skills from research. They learn how to analyze data, draw conclusions, and engage deeply with specific subjects.

What kind of impact can research have on your career prospects?

Research experience enhances a resume by showing potential employers that a candidate can think critically, work independently, and solve complex problems. Tiffany mentions that her research experience helped her secure interviews at companies like Google, Microsoft, and Reddit.

What role does Polygens play for high school students in terms of research?

Polygens helps high school students gain research experience by pairing them with mentors from prestigious universities. It provides a platform for students to explore different research projects, including writing research papers or creating podcasts, and aids in building a strong college application.

What is the significance of Tiffany’s experience working as a research assistant in Monterey?

Tiffany's role as a research assistant in Monterey allowed her to contribute to important marine science research. The experience of working with satellite data and studying marine protected areas gave her valuable insights into both scientific research and environmental conservation.