undergraduate research benefits

How Undergraduates Benefit From Doing Research

Undergraduate research isn't just for STEM subjects.

Benefits of Undergraduate Research

Getty Images

Studies show students who participate in research earn better grades, are more likely to graduate and are better equipped for graduate school or careers.

Jessica Stewart understands from personal experience the value of doing research as a college undergraduate. In her junior year at the University of California, Berkeley , Stewart worked with art historian Darcy Grimaldo Grigsby on her book, "Colossal," researching the Suez Canal, Eiffel Tower and other massive art and engineering monuments.

She loved the research so much that she went on to get her Ph.D. in art history. Almost 20 years after working on "Colossal," Stewart now directs the program that gave her the opportunity: UC Berkeley’s Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program.

But the initial benefit of doing undergraduate research was even more practical. When she was deciding which projects to apply for as an undergraduate, she got to explore many academic disciplines. This process opened her eyes.

“From the moment I set foot on campus, URAP allowed me to see what kinds of ideas I could study,” Stewart says. “The research and credit are great, but there’s this wayfinding side, too, where students can learn who researchers are, what research looks like and fields they may not have had any exposure to.”

A long tradition at some universities, mentored research projects are now offered at undergraduate institutions around the U.S. While many programs started out focused on science, today most universities offer opportunities across disciplines, including all aspects of STEM as well as architecture, business and theater arts.

No matter the subject area, research participation is an asset for undergrads. Studies show students who participate earn better grades , are more likely to graduate and are better equipped for graduate school or careers.

“It’s often most transformative for nontraditional learners and underrepresented students,” Stewart says. “They learn to triangulate life experience and studies in ways that may not have been intuitive for them. It greatly improves academic performance, retention and persistence.”

Research Roots in STEM

Every year, 6,000 undergraduates participate in research experiences through the National Science Foundation, mostly during the summer. Projects span nearly 20 subject areas , such as astronomy and ocean sciences. Most take place in the U.S., but some research is done abroad, including a marine sciences project at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences.

Experiences like these increase students’ confidence in their research skills and boost awareness of what graduate school will be like, according to a 2018 study . They also help students identify whether they want to pursue a science career.

“It’s one of the best ways to recruit students into STEM careers and retain them,” says Corby Hovis, a program director at the NSF's Division of Undergraduate Education. “That’s why we do it. It’s an effective way to get students from classrooms into doing STEM.”

The NSF is especially interested in applications from students who might not have had past opportunities to do research, including those who are the first in their families to attend college, and Black and Latino students.

Research institutions apply for NSF grants to mentor undergraduate students and guide them through participation in an ongoing project. For students, the experience includes orientation and training, as well as a stipend and allowances for housing and travel. In most cases, students write a paper about their contribution to research and may even present at a conference or seminar.

Some opportunities require that students have specific math courses under their belts, but all focus on helping students build other skills, aside from lab or research techniques, that they’ll need for future academic work or careers.

“Communicating clearly the results of research is a skill that could carry over into any field,” Hovis says. “The teamwork and cohort experience not only encourages them to continue in science, but (is) translatable to any number of other activities they will do later on.”

Connecting With Faculty

At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , research has been part of the undergraduate experience for more than 50 years. Some students choose the school specifically for this reason, and more than 90% of students participate. As at other schools, research is part of a bigger initiative around experiential learning, which also includes service learning and study abroad .

The biggest challenge for students is usually figuring out what kind of research they’re interested in.

“We depend on students to do some of that footwork,” says Michael Bergren, director of MIT's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. “There are a lot of supports, but at the end of the day a student needs to understand what they’re interested in, who's doing the work they’re interested in and what the steps are to participating in that research.”

But there is hand-holding, if needed. Before applying to work on a project, students have to approach the lead faculty member and introduce themselves.

“This is really intimidating. We don’t take that for granted,” Bergren says. “Part of life skills development is approaching a lab or faculty member and advocating for themselves.”

Peers offer tips about how to navigate that face-to-face encounter, such as find out a faculty member's office hours, send an email with a resume attached and attend a departmental event.

The networking doesn’t stop there. Get to know which graduate students work on the project, talk to other students who might be exploring the same opportunities and make sure you know what the work involves.

“As the research progresses, deliverables amp up,” Bergren says. “You may find you need to put more time into this right when finals are happening.”

The Future of Undergraduate Research

Some undergraduate researchers might share their work at academic conferences or seminars, or even be published in journals. Some might participate in the Council on Undergraduate Research annual conference , the largest symposium of its kind. Every year, more than 4,000 students attend a graduate school and career fair and present work that spans the disciplines.

Students have come to expect that they’ll get a chance to do research as undergrads, says Lindsay Currie, the council's director.

“More recent generations grew up in a different climate. They learned by doing in classrooms,” Currie says. “That, combined with a workforce that expects people to have lived experience, means students want to be able to say that they’ve already done research as part of their coursework.”

What’s next, Currie says, is universities that integrate research into coursework so that students start a project their first year and continue through their time in college. Working with a network of universities, the Council on Undergraduate Research has completed a study of how schools can modify their curricula to incorporate research from the very beginning.

“Starting as freshmen, students would work on research that would build,” Currie says. “This would be significantly more advanced projects that would be consistent across the particular department. This is how they’re going to teach, because they know students benefit from doing.”

Tips to Make Your Final College Choice

2024 Best Colleges

Search for your perfect fit with the U.S. News rankings of colleges and universities.

College Admissions: Get a Step Ahead!

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S. News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

Ask an Alum: Making the Most Out of College

You May Also Like

Questions to ask on a college visit.

Sarah Wood April 30, 2024

Columbia Gives Ultimatum to Protesters

Lauren Camera April 29, 2024

Photos: Pro-Palestinian Student Protests

Aneeta Mathur-Ashton and Avi Gupta April 26, 2024

How to Win a Fulbright Scholarship

Cole Claybourn and Ilana Kowarski April 26, 2024

Honors Colleges and Programs

Sarah Wood April 26, 2024

Find a Job in the Age of AI

Angie Kamath April 25, 2024

Protests Boil Over on College Campuses

Lauren Camera April 22, 2024

Supporting Low-Income College Applicants

Shavar Jeffries April 16, 2024

Supporting Black Women in Higher Ed

Zainab Okolo April 15, 2024

Law Schools With the Highest LSATs

Ilana Kowarski and Cole Claybourn April 11, 2024

5 Reasons Why Undergraduates Should Do Research

• by Julia Ann Easley
• May 02, 2017

Nearly 40 percent of UC Davis undergraduates participate in hands-on research. On the occasion of the 28th annual Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities Conference on April 28 and 29 — where more than 700 students presented their work — we introduce you to some students and graduates who shared what they’ve gained. Consider how the research experience can benefit you, too.

1. Exploring career directions

Here is how undergraduate research influenced the direction of three UC Davis students:

​Shadd Cabalatungan started his studies at UC Davis aiming for a career as a veterinarian. Touched by his aunt’s diagnosis with breast cancer, he got involved with research at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center . That experience was key in changing his direction to pursue a medical degree. He also did research on how drinking by college students affects others who don’t drink. With a degree in sociology , he is now completing his first year as a medical student at Stony Brook University.

Graduating senior Rong Ben, once fascinated by the aesthetics of fashion, is geeking out on how technology can be incorporated so fashion helps solve problems. As a junior, this design major did a research internship with a professor working on wearable technology, including gloves to provide a patient’s vital statistics. “It opened up a new view for me,” said Ben. As a participant in the University Honors Program , Ben designed a grab-and-go coat for safety in an earthquake with protective materials, lighting, emergency food and water, and more. Next up for Ben: the graduate program in fashion enterprise and society at the University of Leeds.

Physics major Mario D’Andrea took a course related to climate neutrality to confirm his desire to study physics in graduate school. He worked with two other students to research waste reduction and carbon sequestration through composting. He enjoyed the research, and it helped confirm his desire to study condensed matter physics in graduate school. “I wish more classes were open-ended like this,” he said.

2. Building transferable skills and enhancing resumes

Graduating senior Julie Beppler has learned a lot about food options in downtown Davis. The managerial economics major analyzed how 49 restaurants use menu design to promote certain items. But more than that, she developed and demonstrated skills that employers seek. Beppler first worked as a research assistant and then pursued this project for her Undergraduate Honors Thesis . It focuses on the cost of production and price of featured menu items as well as their relative healthiness. She taught herself computer programing; learned time management; practiced professional communications as she interacted with restaurant managers; and proved her ability to motivate herself and direct her own work.

Beppler will soon start in the management development program at E. & J. Gallo Winery, so take her word that doing research can also help students find a mentor who can provide letters of recommendation and advice to support their success. Kristin Kiesel , a faculty member in agricultural and resource economics and a mentor to Beppler, agreed: “There is no better way to recommend a student than by having them successfully complete an undergraduate research project.”

3. Learning to publicly advocate for and defend work

“Nerve wracking.” That’s how graduating senior Kathryn Green described her anticipation of presenting for the first time her research on California’s clean car consumer rebate program. Now she’s a UC undergraduate research ambassador. Last quarter, the political science major participated in the policy program at the UC Center Sacramento , which included classes, an internship with the advocacy organization Environment California and a research project.

Presenting the research was a requirement. Green designed a large poster representing her research and, in a session lasting 90 minutes, explained it one-on-one to attendees. She talked about the process and her policy recommendations not only to policymakers and people from the clean car industry, but also to others who were unfamiliar with the topic. “I became almost a teacher,” said Green. “I took my research and explained it to someone who didn’t know about it.”

Based on her success in that venue, Green represented UC Davis at showcase in Los Angeles earlier in April for alumni, donors, regents and other friends of the University of California. “I’m really proud I got to go down and share my research,” she said.

4. Getting a leg up on graduate or professional school

When Becky Fu came to UC Davis in 2008, she was the first in her family to attend college. Nine years later, this genetics and genomics major is preparing to defend her dissertation and graduate from Stanford University with a doctoral degree in genetics and a master’s degree in biomedical informatics. A 2012 graduate from UC Davis, she credits her participation in undergraduate research as foundational to where she is today. “No question about it,” she said. “Without undergraduate research, there would have been no way I got into any of the graduate programs I did.”

As a freshman, Fu heard others talking about research and sought out the Undergraduate Research Center on campus for more information. She went on to do research with two professors; participate in the undergraduate research conference ; publish in Explorations , the UC Davis journal of undergraduate research; be awarded a Provost’s Undergraduate Fellowship to help pay for her research; and win the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research and other awards.

“Having that experience as an undergraduate to fail a lot and expand on the techniques,” Fu said, “was an integral part of being prepared for and getting through the doctoral program.” At Stanford, she is working in the lab of Andrew Fire, who shared the 2006 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine .

5. Contributing knowledge and impacting the world

Annaliese Franz, associate professor of chemistry  and faculty director of the Undergraduate Research Center , sees students experience the joy of discovery and creation through research. “Students really get the chance to create something new as they go into the lab or out into the field or study new policy.”

Fu, the Stanford student, explained how undergraduate research developed a new quest for her: “I wanted to be contributing to a bigger cause, a bigger realm of intelligence, and that’s advancing medical care in general.”

And Green, who did the research on the clean-car rebate program, discovered a new power. “My research told me that an undergraduate can make an impact,” she said. “You don’t have to have a master’s degree or doctorate to make valuable contributions.”

Julia Ann Easley of News and Media Relations supports communication and writes stories at the heart of the university. Her career includes a noble cause, adventures in learning, working with wonderful people and a beautiful green setting.

Subscribe to our majors blog

Primary Category

Search form

Research and innovation menu, research and innovation, benefits of undergraduate research.

Undergraduate research and creative scholarship activities represent one of the stronger examples of a high-impact learning practice that can advance the key characteristics of the University’s mission.  Mentored research, in which students and faculty work together to discover new knowledge, apply it to their discipline, and share it locally, nationally, and globally, is instrumental in helping individuals think analytically, question critically, and discover the enduring joy of inquiry.  Undergraduate research simultaneously strengthens undergraduate education; provides additional outlets for faculty to teach, research, and serve; and fosters the creation of a community of scholars that is essential to the intellectual health of the university.

Benefits for Students

Undergraduate research is recognized as a high-impact learning practice (Kuh, 2008) by the Association of American Colleges and Universities’ LEAP (Liberal Education and America’s Promise) initiative. Students who participate in undergraduate research experience many benefits including increased persistence (Nagda et al., 1998); increased interest in, and pursuit of entrance into, graduate school (Hathaway et al., 2002; Kremer and Bringle, 1990); higher gains in research skills including gathering and analyzing data and speaking effectively (Bauer and Bennett, 2003); and gains in professional advancement, professional development, and personal development (Seymour et al., 2004; Lopatto, 2006). Additionally, undergraduate research has shown to be particularly effective at increasing retention amongst, and opening career pathways for, minority and underrepresented populations (Nagda et al., 1998).

Next – Assessment of Undergraduate Research

• Bauer, K.W., & Bennett, J.S. (2003). Alumni perceptions used to assess undergraduate research experience.   Journal of Higher Education , 74, 210-230.
• Hathaway, R.S., Nagda, B.A., & Gregerman, S.R. (2002). The relationship of undergraduate research participation to graduate and professional education pursuit: an empirical study.  Journal of College Student Development , 43, 614-631.
• Kremer, J.F., & Bringle, R.G. (1990). The effects of an intensive research experience on the careers of talented undergraduates.   Journal of Research Development Education , 24, 1-5.
• Kuh, G.D. (2008).  High-Impact Educational Practices: What They Are, Who Has Access to Them, and Why They Matter . AAC&U, Washington, D.C.
• Lopatto, D. (2006) Undergraduate research as a catalyst for liberal learning.  Peer Review . 8 (1), 22-25.
• Nagda, B., Gregerman, S., Jonides, J., von Hippel, W., & Lerner, JS. (1998). Undergraduate Student-Faculty Research Partnerships Affect Student Retention.   Review of Higher Education , 22, 55-72.
• Seymour, E., Hunter, A. B., Laursen, S.L., & Deantoni, T. (2004). Establishing the benefits of research experiences for undergraduates in the sciences: First findings from a three-year study.  Science Education,  88 (4): 493-534.

Mentoring Undergraduate Research Directory

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals
• Explore content
• About the journal
• Publish with us
• Sign up for alerts
• CAREER COLUMN
• 15 March 2019

A student’s guide to undergraduate research

• Shiwei Wang 0

Shiwei Wang is a junior undergraduate student studying Integrated Science and Chemistry at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Twitter: @W_Shiwei

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience working in a materials-chemistry laboratory at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, for the past two years. Being able to mix an undergraduate education with original research in a proper laboratory has been a fantastic opportunity.

Access options

Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals

Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription

24,99 € / 30 days

cancel any time

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 51 print issues and online access

185,98 € per year

only 3,65 € per issue

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-019-00871-x

This is an article from the Nature Careers Community, a place for Nature readers to share their professional experiences and advice. Guest posts are encouraged. You can get in touch with the editor at [email protected].

Wang, S. et al. Preprint at ChemRxiv https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv.7824707.v2 (2019).

Download references

Related Articles

Bring training forward for undergraduate researchers

Want to make a difference? Try working at an environmental non-profit organization

Career Feature 26 APR 24

Scientists urged to collect royalties from the ‘magic money tree’

Career Feature 25 APR 24

NIH pay rise for postdocs and PhD students could have US ripple effect

News 25 APR 24

Ecologists: don’t lose touch with the joy of fieldwork

World View 24 APR 24

Chemistry lab destroyed by Taiwan earthquake has physical and mental impacts

Correspondence 23 APR 24

Postdoctoral Associate- Molecular Cell Biology

Houston, Texas (US)

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM)

Associate or Senior Editor, Communications Medicine

Job Title: Associate or Senior Editor, Communications Medicine Location: Philadelphia, New York, Jersey City, Washington DC (Hybrid Working) Closin...

Jersey City, New Jersey

Springer Nature Ltd

Associate or Senior Editor, BMC Psychology and BMC Psychiatry

Job Title: Associate Editor or Senior Editor, BMC Psychology and BMC Psychiatry Location(s): New York or Shanghai  Deadline: May 21st, 2024   You w...

New York (US)

W2 Professorship with tenure track to W3 in Animal Husbandry (f/m/d)

The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Göttingen invites applications for a temporary professorship with civil servant status (g...

Göttingen (Stadt), Niedersachsen (DE)

Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

W1 professorship for „Tissue Aspects of Immunity and Inflammation“

Kiel University (CAU) and the University of Lübeck (UzL) are striving to increase the proportion of qualified female scientists in research and tea...

University of Luebeck

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies

• Skip to main navigation
• Skip to main content

College Center for Research and Fellowships

• Our Students, Their Stories
• Undergraduate Research
• National Fellowships
• Collegiate Honors & Scholars
• CCRF Seminars: The Common Year
• CCRF General Resources for Students
• CCRF Resources for Faculty & Staff
• Connect with Us

Search form

Undergraduate research benefits, what are the benefits of doing undergraduate research and creative inquiry.

The primary outcome of engaging in undergraduate research is that it enables you to acquire an in-depth understanding of the knowledge-making process and to better understand the world.  It is a form of exploration that compels the application of knowledge outside of the classroom and often results in the shifting of ideas about that knowledge and the way it functions in the world. You might also think of it as a form of apprenticing – learning the tools of trade, as it were, and how those contribute and expand your experience as a scholar. There are a number of other benefits and reasons that College students pursue undergraduate research, including:

• Engaging more deeply with your subject;
• Learning relevant methodological skills and approaches to your discipline;
• Building relationships with faculty;
• Pursuing primary and secondary research for a thesis;
• Preparing for graduate school and national scholarships and fellowships;
• Demonstrating intellectual fitness and preparedness for future graduate schools, national funding bodies, and employers;
• Advancing your scholarship productively during the academic year and/or the summer.

• Youth Program
• Wharton Online

Why should you do research as an undergraduate?

Alumni, faculty, and employers answer the question., erika james, dean, the wharton school; reliance professor of management and private enterprise.

When I was a student, I took a short detour to a corporate setting, which was an experience that only reinforced my belief that my true calling was in academia. The lasting professional and personal relationships I have developed through my research have proven to be invaluable, and transformed my life in many ways. Though not every student will pursue a career in academia, all students can benefit greatly from the skills gained through research. The experience will prepare you to think critically, anticipate opportunities and be an effective leader in any industry or endeavor.

Diana Roberson, Vice Dean, Wharton Undergraduate Division; Samuel A. Blank Professor of Legal Studies & Business Ethics 

Raveen Kariyawasam, W’22, SEAS’22

Adam Grant, Saul P. Steinberg Professor of Management, Professor of Psychology

I can’t imagine a better way to learn than doing undergraduate research. When I was in college, getting involved in research changed the course of my life. It gave me the chance to explore fascinating questions, soak up wisdom from brilliant mentors, and stretch my creative and critical thinking muscles. I discovered that I loved creating knowledge, not just consuming it.

Dara Cook, W’95

Wendy De La Rosa, Assistant Professor of Marketing

So many consumers, cultures, and organizations have been ignored and under-researched. As a result, so much is still unknown. For me, there is nothing more honorable than being the person who pushes our collective human knowledge forward (even if it is just by a centimeter). You can be that person, and you can start right now, right here at Penn.

Michael Roberts, William H. Lawrence Professor of Finance

Nancy Zhang, Professor of Statistics and Data Science, Vice Dean of Wharton Doctoral Programs

Geoffrey Garrett, Former Dean and Reliance Professor of Management and Private Enterprise, The Wharton School

Debi Ogunrinde, C’16, W’16

Paul Karner, C’03, W’03

Ashish Shah, W’92

My undergrad experience prepared me for success in a crisis that few expected and fewer were prepared for. When at Wharton, I was fortunate enough to conduct research in two completely different areas of finance.   Read more

Kate Lakin, Putnam Investments

Julio Reynaga, C’13, W’13

Katherina M. Rosqueta, WG’01, Founding Executive Director, Center for High Impact Philanthropy,  University of Pennsylvania

Joseph Wang, C’13, W’13

Nada Boualam, C’17, W’17

ConnectUR 2024

Undergraduate Research: What’s Next?

The dual-experience conference will focus on revealing what is on the horizon for students, faculty, and institutions in undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry, even as we pause to take notice of how far we have come.

Featured Event

Proposal Writing Institute

July 11-15, 2024 University of Wisconsin-River Falls

FEATURED UR STORY

Center of UR Shares Their Keys to Success

Some of Our Institutional Members

Let your curiosity lead the way:

Apply Today

• Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Studies in A&S

Benefits of Undergraduate Research

"is research only for science students is research only for students who want to go to graduate school isn't my coursework enough".

No, no, and maybe not.

Research is the systematic gathering of information to help you answer a question or solve a problem.   Research is going on right now all over the university and all over the world in libraries and laboratories, in rainforests and hospitals, and in courtrooms and archeological sites.

Undergraduate research can help you:

• improve your communication skills
• find opportunities to present and publish your ideas
• test your determination and perseverance
• develop creativity, problem-solving, and intellectual independence

Student Perspective

Arts & Sciences junior Ryan Thier shares his research experience as a student studying political science.

Apply for the WashU Research Ambassador Program (WRAP)

Empower and expand the WashU undergraduate research community as a WRAPer!

Summer Research with WashU Statistics and Data Science

Apply by March 15

Career & Academic Benefits

Independent research with the goal of creating a publically accessible product is beneficial for all undergraduates, regardless of discipline or future career plans.

Career Benefits

Survey findings of employers   demonstrate that skills and aptitudes gained through research are highly valued in the workplace. The survey illustrates that: 

• Employers in the survey specifically endorse curriculum that has students “conduct research and use evidence-based analysis.”
• Independent research fosters innovation and critical thinking (favored by over 90% of employers).
• When students direct their research toward a capstone project that will be presented to the public, they develop their written and oral communication skills, which 80% of employers prefer more emphasis on in undergraduate recruits.
• 79% of employers want undergraduates to “complete a project prior to graduation that demonstrates their acquired knowledge and skills.”

[From “It Takes More than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success,” Association of American Colleges and Universities, 2013]

Academic Benefits 

Many departments require capstone projects during the senior year to synthesize the knowledge gained in your major field and present it to the public. For some students, this takes the form of a senior thesis, a formal academic article based on disciplinary conventions. You can use your research to create a capstone that can take many forms – a website, a community service project, an exhibition, etc. Talk with your adviser about opportunities to pursue these types of projects within your major requirements.

Hear a panel of WashU graduate students and alums discuss their journey to and through graduate school.

Topics included: How to decide whether to pursue to a PhD; How to find, evaluate, and select programs; The role of an advisor in the application process and throughout graduate school; How to manage the application process and whether to go right away or take time off.

Division of Student Success and Well-Being

Why do Research?

Participating in undergraduate research prepares you for your post-graduation plans by expanding your academic experience and giving you the opportunity to explore an academic discipline more fully., there are many benefits to becoming a researcher, including:.

• Graduate and Professional School : Undergraduate researchers are more likely to move into graduate programs.
• Academic Achievement : Undergraduate researchers demonstrate higher achievement and are more likely to stay in school.
• Career Goals : Undergraduate research can help you clarify your choice of degree program, career interests, and post-graduation plans.
• Transferable Skills : Undergraduate research strengthens written and oral communication, critical thinking, technical skills, and information literacy.
• Community : Undergraduate research provides opportunities to build a learning community with faculty and fellow students.
• Confidence : Undergraduate research builds confidence in your abilities within the discipline, and improves your overall perception of the discipline.

  About 50% of UCF undergraduate researchers continue their education after graduating with their bachelors degree!

Set yourself up for success after graduation; participate in undergraduate research.

For many professional schools, you will need at least five letters of recommendation. Most graduate programs require at least three letters of recommendation. Job applications often also require references. Conducting undergraduate research is a way to develop strong relationships with faculty members who can serve as references for you.

With over 60,000 students, UCF is a big place. Participating in undergraduate research allows students to engage in unique experiences; typically students work as individuals or in small teams on research and creative projects. Drawing from these experiences can help students stand out during interviews for graduate and professional school programs, as well as the job market.

Undergraduate researchers have numerous opportunities to expand their portfolio, or academic resume. These opportunities include things like presenting their work (both on and off campus), earning scholarships or fellowships, taking course credit, and defending theses and publishing their work. All of these opportunities can be documented on a students’ resume.

Excellence, Innovation, and Distinction

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• Undergraduate
• Undergraduate Research

Benefits of Undergraduate Research

How Do I Benefit from Doing Undergraduate Research?

• Learn the process of how science is really conducted.
• Develop research skills. Even if you go into medicine, you may find yourself doing clinical research. Don’t just write prescriptions. Move your field forward.
• Develop closer ties with the faculty. They make great mentors and you’ll need recommendation letters eventually.
• Participate in lab meetings, poster sessions, and research conferences. You just can’t beat the professional experience you’ll gain by participating in these types of activities.
• If you want to apply to graduate school, it is critical. Schools want to know you are aware of what you’re getting into. It’s not impossible, but is difficult to land an interview without any lab experience on your record.

Faculty Testimonials

David Blecher Professor, Department of Mathematics

“Undergraduate research presents so many significant benefits for students. To name just a few, undergraduate research helps you to decide what kind of career or grad school you are interested in, and to excel once there. It is a resume and skill builder — employers or grad schools are very interested in people who have demonstrable experience with significant projects. Through research you can discover something new! The experience helps to establish a relationship with an advisor who can support you as you take the next step in your career.”

Loi Do Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry

“I was lucky to discover early in college that I loved working in a chemistry lab. The ability to manipulate matter on a molecular level was just mind blowing! Serious research is nothing like the way it is portrayed on TV or in the movies. The work can be long, tedious, and frustrating. However, if you are able to persist through constant failure, the satisfaction you get from discovering something previously unknown is immeasurable. Your work might literally change the world one day.”

Ernst L. Leiss Professor, Department of Computer Science

“Research in Computer Science has significant societal implications — just think what new ideas have arisen during the past two decades, and how they influenced our lives. While we have no idea what the next big ideas will turn out to be, we do know that we cannot start early enough thinking about new things. In particular, this means that we must encourage research among our undergraduates.

Paul Mann Professor, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

“Undergrad research supplements and transcends traditional course work. The research experience develops all the skills that will be needed for future job success including independent thought, self-direction, people skills, and discipline.”

Claudia Ratti Associate Professor, Department of Physics

"Undergraduate research is a great opportunity for students to be involved in the fun part of science, and to contribute to some exciting discoveries! Besides, they can decide whether continuing toward a Ph.D. and a research career is something that really interests them. Come and see what being a scientist looks like!"

Rebecca Zufall Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Biochemistry

“Undergraduate researchers are an integral part of the work in our lab. Student research ranges from assisting a graduate student to designing and implementing an independent project. I have two hopes for the students in my lab: first, is that students will get useful and interesting data that will further the research of our group; second, and perhaps more importantly, students should get to experience the excitement, and tedium, of knowledge discovery. You can never know what doing labwork or fieldwork is really all about unless you get your hands dirty and do it. Actively participating in research can convince a student that this is really the coolest thing possible that someone gets to do for a living, or that this is something that they could never stand to do again — either way, they've learned something valuable.”

Undergraduate Research: Importance, Benefits, and Challenges

Affiliation.

• 1 Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
• PMID: 27182299
• PMCID: PMC4739295

Developing and maintaining undergraduate research programs benefits students, faculty mentors, and the university. Incorporating a research component along with a sound academic foundation enables students to develop independent critical thinking skills along with oral and written communication skills. The research process impacts valuable learning objectives that have lasting influence as undergraduates prepare for professional service. Faculty members at teaching intensive institutions can enhance learning experiences for students while benefiting from a productive research agenda. The university in turn benefits from presentations and publications that serve to increase visibility in the scientific community. Whether projects are derived through student-generated or mentor-generated means, students benefit from completion of exposure to the hypothesis-driven scientific method.

Keywords: Student involvement; exercise science professional development; science-based methodology.

Liberal Arts Colleges

the Complete Guide to Liberal Arts Colleges

9 Reasons Why Undergraduate Research Matters

When thinking about possible colleges to attend, you consider many factors, such as small class sizes, a large number of majors and disciplines, and study abroad and internship opportunities. But, one aspect you might not have considered is the potential to conduct research.

Data from the University of Michigan suggests that research at the undergraduate level offers students, professors and even the universities an advantage in preparing students for post-graduate studies and lifelong success. In addition to providing students with crucial skills, engaging in the pursuit of knowledge through inquiry also offers a higher potential for success during the undergraduate years.

Here are nine reasons that undergraduate research matters for students as well as for faculty and universities.

1. Undergraduate Research Provides Students with Real-World Skills

The content that is taught in college classrooms is essential to students’ success in attaining their degree and applying it after graduation. Foundational knowledge in core skills and in their declared area of study are necessary for progress and mastery of the content that is then applied in postgraduate work or in their careers. When students have the opportunity to engage in research with their professors, they learn real-world skills and get a head start on applying that learned content to new situations.

In collaborating with faculty to discover new knowledge through shared inquiry, students learn how to ask questions and what questions to ask. This important skill is needed for effective problem solving and leadership in the workforce. Additionally, students learn how to interpret the answers and data that they collect. The ability to analyze and synthesize information is a higher-level cognitive skill that will serve students well in any role they take on following their undergraduate education.

2. Reporting on Research Findings Improves the Way Students Communicate

The ability to communicate effectively is essential to thrive in a collaborative work environment, especially in a position of leadership. To prepare students for postgraduate success, many colleges place an emphasis on core courses that hone written and oral communication skills. A built-in undergraduate research component is another effective way to improve the way students share information professionally.

When communicating findings from a study, students are challenged to determine how much information to share and which data is the most important to include. Similar to other written work that students submit, data and conclusions derived from the research must be evaluated, considered and carefully selected so that the reader receives only accurate and pertinent information about the study.

Additionally, students learn to develop their professional and academic voice. The format information is shared in about a study must be consistent, informative and factual. Learning to write and share information in this way is an opportunity that students would not receive without participating in research experiences.

3. Students Learn How to Engage in a Professional Environment

In addition to learning how to write with a professional tone, students who participate in undergraduate research also gain experience working in a professional environment. When participating in a study as researchers, students must act and behave like employees of the faculty member leading the inquiry. They must take direction from their professor and follow the specific parameters of the research design. Additionally, students must work collaboratively in collecting and assessing data and developing their professional voice while also respectfully engaging in dialogue with other students and faculty members.

Moravian College Undergraduate Research

Participation in research also teaches students to take responsibility and initiative for their own learning. Students are accountable to the other researchers on the team, much like they would be in the workplace. They must accomplish their portions of data collection and analysis for the research to be conducted faithfully and consistently. While these skills can be addressed through collaborative academic projects in the classroom, the hands-on and multi-faceted nature of participating in research opportunities like those at Moravian College more accurately mimics and reinforces the expectations of a professional work experience. For undergraduates, this one on one interaction with senior faculty members is simply not an option at larger universities.

4. Students Learn and Develop Resilience

Another important skill that students learn through doing research is resilience. More often than not, engaging in an ethical, university-approved study presents challenges, obstacles and at times failure to prove a hypothesis or even to get the research funded and started. Studies can be rejected or require revisions, and students might face many struggles when carrying out procedures and collecting data.

From these experiences, students realize that failure is part of the learning process and only a minor setback. They learn to see obstacles in their education and work as opportunities to be creative. They also learn to approach these obstacles from a different angle. Through this process, students develop problem-solving skills that will help them succeed in their future workplace. All of these skills help to increase students’ resilience in their academic and professional environments that professors and employers will appreciate.

5. Research at the Undergraduate Level Offers More Freedom

Cornell College Undergraduate Research

One of the benefits of engaging in research at the undergraduate level is a sense of freedom. Unlike in graduate school, when research is required for the completion of a degree, students in their first four years of college have the freedom to explore lines of inquiry without the stress and pressure of delivering results from unique and precise research studies. The process of investigating an inquiry is the most important component of undergraduate research. For example, in the Cornell College physics major, the freedom to choose an area of interest for a study is also a hallmark of research at the undergraduate level .

6. Participating in Undergraduate Research Can Increase Retention

Undergraduate research not only helps students develop key skills for post-graduate success but also helps students stay in college to finish their degrees. According to the results of a University of Michigan undergraduate research study , students who participated had an overall higher retention rate than peers who did not. This was especially true for African American males who graduated at an increased rate of 19 percent when participating in research during their undergraduate academic experience.

These effects were likely seen because of the commitment, engagement and collaboration that undergraduate students experience during research. Participating students reported a more comprehensive understanding of their chosen disciplines through the deep inquiry and thorough investigations they completed, which encouraged their success in the classroom.

Additionally, undergraduate students who engaged in research viewed their professors and other members of the college as supports and positive influences on their academics, increasing the likelihood that these students will reach out for academic help or get involved in the campus community. Overall, these findings show that research provides undergraduate students with the knowledge and support to persist and succeed with their education.

7. Alumni Maintain a Connection to Their School

DePauw Undergraduate Research

Students who participate in research during their undergraduate years are also more likely to remain connected to their college following graduation. Because of the positive relationships that they develop with faculty members through their shared projects and inquiries, students who participate in programs such as undergraduate research opportunities at DePauw University are likely to maintain connections with the faculty and the college in their post-graduate endeavors.

These students are also more likely to be involved as alumni and to contribute to the university, either through endowments or internship and job opportunities for students. This helps students to secure faculty recommendations for graduate school and network to attain jobs with employers who are connected to the college. Additionally, this mutually beneficial relationship allows the faculty and the school to continue expanding their academics and research through interest and donations.

8. Students who Engage in Undergraduate Research Continue Their Educational Pursuits

In addition to graduating and remaining connected to their alma mater, post-graduate students more frequently seek research and advanced degrees when they have engaged in undergraduate research. These students are more likely to continue on with their education to pursue medical, law or PhD degrees or participate in research opportunities following their undergraduate studies. As a result, these students have the benefit of increased knowledge and schooling to help them advance in their chosen careers.

9. Faculty can Create a Unified Approach to Education

While students reap a host of benefits from participating in research during their undergraduate years, faculty members also have the ability to create a rich learning experience for their students. Through leading undergraduate research, faculty members can bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real-world application. Methodologies, theories and content might not come alive for students during a lecture course, even in the context of a small class size, so the opportunity to engage in related inquiry with the students allows conversations and learning experiences to dig even deeper.

Additionally, research opportunities with undergraduate students allow faculty to study with students who are as passionate about the topics as they are. As noted above, more flexibility is given for students to participate in research during their first four years of college, permitting them to follow their passions instead of having their areas of inquiry narrowed. Faculty members are able to collaborate, discuss and gain new knowledge in a shared area of interest with their students while the students have the opportunity to learn from experts in their field. It’s a win-win-win situation for students, faculty members and the university.

The number of liberal arts colleges making research opportunities available for undergraduate students is growing. In addition to providing a host of benefits to the students who participate in these experiences, faculty and universities also reap rewards from these programs, in turn delivering a better educational experience for all students.

As you search for a college that is the right fit for you, consider those that offer undergraduate research programs to give yourself the opportunity for the most well-rounded experience.

About LiberalArtsColleges.com

Learn about school profile upgrades.

Share the Love

Students discover research opportunities on the path to graduation

Undergraduates and graduates benefit from learning through independent research.

Olivia Schlichtkrull

A growing number of RIT students are taking on research experiences as part of their RIT education. In the lab, 2024 physics graduate Andres Orio Gonzalez can be found injecting dye solution in a porous medium of 150-micron glass beads to improve visualization under fluorescent microscopes.

Many RIT students are discovering research opportunities on the path to a diploma.

For everyone from first years to master’s students, these independent projects can help cultivate critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Whether it’s late nights spent in a RIT lab or a field study in the mountains, research experiences can be a cutting-edge way for students to prepare for the future.

“Research adds value to an undergraduate education and denotes a healthy university,” said Ryne Raffaelle , RIT vice president for Research and associate provost. “Many RIT undergraduates conduct independent research on the level normally experienced in graduate school, and that gives them an edge over peers from other universities.”

Read about two 2024 graduates who have found success in research.

Freedom to experiment

Andres Orio Gonzalez

During one of his earliest research experiences, Andres Orio Gonzalez was surprised by how hands off his mentor was initially. Now, graduating with a degree in physics , he is glad that he got to experiment.

“My mentor explained that if she was looking over my shoulder the whole time, then I wouldn’t have been brave enough to make those mistakes that helped me learn,” said Gonzalez, who is from Erie, Pa.

At RIT, Gonzalez joined the Inclusive Excellence Research Fellowship program, which is aimed at helping minority students get research experience. He was paired with Shima Parsa , assistant professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy , where he researched how polymer retention affects the transport properties of porous media.

Through connections at RIT, Gonzalez sought out several ways to fund his undergraduate research experiences, including the federally funded McNair Scholars program, the New York State-funded Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program ( CSTEP ), and the NSF-funded Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation ( LSAMP ) program.

One summer, he also took part an NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates ( REU ) program studying nuclear physics at Duke University.

“The most profound moment from that REU was sitting at a table where all are the physicists were Hispanic,” said Gonzalez. “We all feel this responsibility to break down walls and open the doors for younger generations of students like us.”

At RIT, Gonzalez propelled to push for inclusivity in STEM research. He was founding president of the College of Science LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Science advocacy group.

While completing his capstone project, he found the field of medical physics and joined a University of Rochester Medical Center research project aimed at improving medical imaging. This fall, Gonzalez is going to UCLA to pursue a Ph.D. in the physics and biology in medicine program.

“I see research as unsupervised work where I can mess up and tinker and think about these problems for a long time—and once it all comes together there is a moment where you feel a huge sense of accomplishment,” said Gonzalez. “You are the master of your own work in research.”

Expect the unexpected

Research experiences have taken Margaret Gray, right, a 2024 data science master’s graduate, across campus and across the continent. In 2019, she travelled to the Wrangell Mountains of Alaska to take part in climate-oriented field studies.

Doing research has allowed Margaret Gray to be a hands-on learner.

“There is a real benefit to being able to see the things I’m studying in class actually implemented in the real world,” said Gray, who is a 2024 graduate from the data science master’s degree program. She also completed an applied arts and sciences undergraduate degree from RIT in 2022.

Gray started doing research in high school, analyzing the change of frequency of the 35delG deafness gene in the U.S. population over time. She conducted the research with Gallaudet University, near her hometown of Silver Spring, Md.

“It was cool being able to propose a question and then figure out how I can possibly approach figuring it out,” said Gray. “It was also something I’m passionate about, being a deaf person myself.”

As an undergraduate, Gray worked with the NTID Deaf Health Lab investigating the link between hearing status and executive function as measured through the color trails test. She also ventured off campus, finding a field research program with Evergreen State College (Washington). She spent several weeks collecting profiles of more than 40 stream channels in the Wrangell Mountains of Alaska, helping gather data for future glacial research.

“I’ve learned that research can be messy and you don’t always get the data you are expecting,” said Gray. “You learn how to handle it when something unexpected happens, which can lead to finding new and interesting things.”

As a graduate student, Gray has continued to be an active researcher. She was an NSF-funded trainee with the AWARE-AI program, running studies to investigate differences in trust levels between hearing and deaf/hard-of-hearing adults when working with manufacturing robots.

Her artificial intelligence work tied in nicely with an internship at Excellus BCBS, where she incorporated AI and large language models to expedite the prior authorization process in healthcare. In the future, she hopes to work as a data scientist in healthcare, doing projects that help her Deaf community.

Recommended News

April 30, 2024

Higher ed institutions seek student, community input on programs to match evolving workplace needs   

Rochester Business Journal speaks to Maria Richart, director of career services and cooperative education, about ensuring students are ready to be productive the moment they join the workforce.

Veteran Student Success lounge dedicated

An important space for RIT students who are military-affiliated, veterans, and their families, now has a name and a refresh thanks to benefactors who want to support members of the U.S. armed forces.

Attorney finds her home in real estate law

As a child, Shakierah Smith loved watching Law & Order. Now a real estate associate, Smith says that her success was thanks to her support system and positive experiences at RIT.

Celebrating Filipino artists in Austin

Wayne State University

Events calendar, virtual brown bag: undergraduate research.

This year the Virtual Brown Bag (VBB) series is focused on High-Impact Practices (HIPs) . Teaching and learning practices are designated as HIPs based on evidence of significant educational benefits to students who participate in them – including and especially those from demographic groups historically underserved by higher education.   

Many colleges and universities are now providing research experiences for students in all disciplines. The goal is to involve students with actively contested questions, empirical observation, cutting-edge technologies, and the sense of excitement that comes from working to answer important questions. This session will focus on introducing various ways Wayne State faculty are employing undergraduate research in their courses or to support their research agendas. We will be joined by Jessika Edgar —Assistant Professor of Art and Coordinator of Ceramics, Donna Kashian —Professor in the Biological Science department and Director of Environmental Science, and Alana Conti —Associate Professor of Neurosciences in the Department of Neurosurgery with the School of Medicine.  

Expect an engaging 15-20 minutes of insights and sharing, followed by a dedicated Q&A session tailored to address your individual questions. Please join us and feel encouraged to enjoy lunch while you learn.     

Carly Overfelt [email protected]

• Mayo Clinic Careers
• Anesthesiology
• Dermatology
• Emergency Medicine
• Family Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Lung Transplant
• Psychiatry & Psychology
• Nurse Practitioner & Physician Assistant
• Ambulance Service
• Clinical Labs
• Med Surg RN
• Radiology Imaging
• Clinical Research Coordinator
• Respiratory Care
• Senior Care
• Surgical Services
• Travel Surgical Tech
• Practice Operations
• Administrative Fellowship Program
• Administrative Internship Program
• Career Exploration
• Nurse Residency and Training Program
• Nursing Intern/Extern Programs
• Residencies & Fellowships (Allied Health)
• Residencies & Fellowships (Medical)
• SkillBridge Internship Program
• Training Programs & Internships
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Employees with Disabilities

You're using Internet Explorer - therefore, some pages or features may not display properly. We recommend switching to a modern browser such as Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox for a smoother experience.

Search life-changing careers..

Search by Role or Keyword

Enter Location

• United States Applicants
• United Kingdom Applicants
• Current Employees

Intern - undergraduate - GI Research

• Rochester, MN

Not ready to apply? Join our talent community

The primary purpose of the Undergraduate Internship is to provide an intern with relevant field experiences in their chosen field of study. One or more mentors will be assigned to the intern to provide instruction, guidance and to assess performance. The intern is responsible for observing the functions and processes of the assigned work unit. In addition, the intern may be given selected work assignments to reinforce the learning experience, to assess the performance levels and to provide benefit to the work unit. The intern will be responsible for completing all internship-related assignments and reports for both Mayo and the participating educational facility. The duration and timing of the internship will be arranged with the intern and the sponsoring educational facility. Placement in our internship program does not provide financial assistance with relocation, housing, or transportation. Interns must pass a pre-employment drug test and criminal background check.

The incumbent must be enrolled in a degree program from a college or university. Typically, this internship would occur after the student has taken most of the courses required by the degree program. Must have authorization to work and remain in the United States, without necessity for Mayo Clinic sponsorship now, or in the future (for example, be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident, refugee or asylee).

About our location

Rochester, Minnesota

We would love to connect with you.

Click the button for a list of our upcoming events.

Join Our Talent Community

Sign up, stay connected and get opportunities that match your skills sent right to your inbox

Email Address

Phone Number

Upload Resume/CV (Must be under 1MB) Remove

Job Category* Select One Advanced Practice Providers Business Education Engineering Executive Facilities Support Global Security Housekeeping Information Technology Internship Laboratory Nursing Office Support Patient Care - Other Pharmacy Phlebotomy Physician Post Doctoral Radiology Imaging Research Scientist Surgical Services Therapy

Location Select Location Albert Lea, Minnesota Arcadia, Wisconsin Austin, Minnesota Barron, Wisconsin Bloomer, Wisconsin Caledonia, Minnesota Cannon Falls, Minnesota Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin Decorah, Iowa Duluth, Minnesota Eau Claire, Wisconsin Fairmont, Minnesota Holmen, Wisconsin Jacksonville, Florida Kasson, Minnesota La Crosse, Wisconsin Lake City, Minnesota London, England Mankato, Minnesota Menomonie, Wisconsin Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota New Prague, Minnesota Onalaska, Wisconsin Osseo, Wisconsin Owatonna, Minnesota Phoenix, Arizona Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin Red Wing, Minnesota Rice Lake, Wisconsin Rochester, Minnesota Saint Augustine, Florida Saint Cloud, Minnesota Saint James, Minnesota Scottsdale, Arizona Sparta, Wisconsin Waseca, Minnesota Zumbrota, Minnesota

Area of Interest Select One Nursing Research Radiology Laboratory Medicine & Pathology Pharmacy Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Facilities Surgery General Services Psychiatry & Psychology Neurology Respiratory Therapy Cardiovascular Medicine Emergency Medicine Finance Surgical Technician Ambulance Services Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine Environmental Services Social Work Gastroenterology & Hepatology Medical Oncology Radiation Oncology Mayo Collaborative Services Orthopedics Family Medicine Mayo Clinic Laboratories Pediatrics Global Security International Cardiovascular Surgery Hospital Internal Medicine Transplant Hematology Information Technology Obstetrics & Gynecology Ophthalmology Urology Administration Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Desk Operations Hospice & Palliative Care Patient Scheduling Senior Care Critical Care Dermatology Education General Internal Medicine Community Internal Medicine Digital Healthcare Technology Management Office Support Oncology Quality Artificial Intelligence & Informatics Clinical Genomics Engineering Linen & Central Services Otolaryngology (ENT) Pulmonary/Sleep Medicine Endocrinology Rheumatology Sports Medicine Cancer Center Epidemiology Infectious Diseases Molecular Medicine Nephrology & Hypertension Primary Care Surgical Assistant Clinical Nutrition Immunology Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics Neurologic Surgery Physiology & Biomedical Engineering Travel Business Development Clinical Trials & Biostatistics Dental Specialities Development/Philanthropy Executive Office Health Care Delivery Research Information Security Mayo Clinic Platform Neurosciences Regenerative Biotherapeutics Spiritual Care Center for Individualized Medicine Communications Comparative Medicine Computational Biology Geriatric Medicine & Gerontology Human Resources Informatics Legal Marketing Media Support Services Occupational/Preventative Medicine Pain Medicine Spine Center Volunteer Services Women's Health

• Research, Rochester, Minnesota, United States Remove
• Patient Care - Other, Rochester, Minnesota, United States Remove

Confirm Email

By submitting your information, you consent to receive email communication from Mayo Clinic.

Join our talent community.

Join our global talent community to receive alerts when new life-changing opportunities become available.

If you want to know what it's really like at Mayo Clinic, just ask. You'll find that our pride–in where we work, and in what we do–is a common trait. You will also find a lot of inspiring stories about lives changed for the better.

National Surgical Assistant Week

The Nurse Residency Program (NRP) is for all nurses with less than 12 months of experience, to be completed within the first year. NRP provides a framework for a successful transtion to a professional nurse by promoting educational and personal advancement.

As your career evolves, our compensation and benefits packages are designed to change with you — meeting needs now, and anticipating what comes next. We know that when Mayo Clinic takes care of you, you can take better care of our patients.

Equal opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. Learn more about "EEO is the Law." Mayo Clinic participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Reasonable accommodations

Mayo Clinic provides reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to increase opportunities and eliminate barriers to employment.  If you need a reasonable accommodation in the application process; to access job postings, to apply for a job, for a job interview, for pre-employment testing, or with the onboarding process, please contact HR Connect at 507-266-0440 or  888-266-0440.

Job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a post offer placement assessment including a urine drug screen, immunization review and tuberculin (TB) skin testing, if applicable.

Recruitment Fraud

Learn more about recruitment fraud and job scams

Advertising

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.

Advertising and sponsorship policy | Advertising and sponsorship opportunities

Reprint permissions

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Notice of Privacy Practices | Notice of Nondiscrimination

© 1998-2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.

Office of Human Resources

• Apply for a Job
• Opportunity Types
• Regional Campuses
• Why Work at Pitt?
• Orientation
• New to Pitt?
• Clearances & Training
• Compensation
• Employee & Labor Relations
• Learning & Development
• Work-Life Balance
• Guides and Forms
• Resources for Managers
• Shared Services
• Talent Acquisition & All-Temps
• HCM Solutions
• Frequently Asked Questions

2024 Benefits Open Enrollment: May 1 - May 15

The 2024-2025 benefits open enrollment period* begins may 1 and ends may 15 ..

Open Enrollment is your once-a-year opportunity to make changes to the benefits you have elected, unless you experience a life event (qualified status change). Open Enrollment is the best time to review your benefits elections, ensure that you have current dependents listed, confirm that your beneficiaries are up-to-date, and make changes to your elections.

Open Enrollment Materials: Find all of the Open Enrollment materials and information, including the letter mailed via USPS, your Summary Guide to Benefits, and all plan documents online at openenroll.hr.pitt.edu .

* excluding bargaining unit Faculty who will have a separate Open Enrollment period TBA due to their current tentative agreement status. 

What's New in 2024

There will be no changes to overall plan design or coverage offerings  for our covered employee groups during this Open Enrollment period for University-sponsored health and wellness plans. Some premium rates will see increases based on your employment status. Those changes are specified in the online plan documents.

Potential Increased Savings on Prescriptions UPMC Health Plan has partnered with Express Scripts and GoodRx to introduce a new program called “Price Assure.” This program provides convenient prescription cost-savings by integrating programs that find you the best deals directly into your prescription benefits. This program does not require additional opt-in, but any policyholders who do not want to share their information with GoodRx may opt-out by contacting Benefits Management Services at 888-499-6885.

New Opportunity for Incentives Starting with the new plan year, receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will be included in the list of activities that contribute points towards Health Incentive Reward Dollars.

Information Sessions

Webinar: a guide to your benefits at pitt.

The Office of Human Resource's Benefits Department will host  two live webinars  regarding open enrollment and the benefits available to you at Pitt. This is the perfect opportunity to learn about what's new this year and get questions you may have answered. Both sessions will be recorded and posted online following their occurrence.

Register for Session 1 , Wednesday, May 1; 1 to 2 p.m.

Register for session 2 , thursday, may 9; noon to 1 p.m.  , enrolling in your benefits via pitt worx.

Benefits Open Enrollment takes place in Pitt Worx, the University's human resources and payroll system. You are encouraged to review the instructions on how to enroll in or make changes to your benefits in Pitt Worx prior to making your elections beginning May 15 to ensure you enroll successfully.

You can find instructions on enrolling in your benefits via Pitt Worx on the Open Enrollment website and on the Pitt Worx Hub (via Pitt Passport).

If you are adding new dependents that were not previously covered, you must add them in "Before You Enroll" and upload their required documentation in Document Records prior to making your benefits elections. For instructions on how to complete these actions in Pitt Worx, please visit the Open Enrollment website .

Please note: If you do not wish to make changes to your current benefits elections, no action is required . However, it is recommended that you proceed through the benefits enrollment process to ensure your elections are accurate.

Questions about Open Enrollment?

Contact the Benefits Department by submitting an inquiry online or calling 833-852-2210.