FAQs

• Getting hands-on, extracurricular experience might be necessary to help you be competitive for the best jobs or graduate school programs.
• Learning by doing is a great way to get more out of your degree.
• Being mentored by professors or more senior students can show you how to apply what you learn in class.
• You might learn something in the lab that will change your perspective and ignite a passion for discovery that will inform your career choices.
• Your work can contribute to discoveries, interventions and creative works that make a positive impact on the world.

It depends on the project and the mentor!

Some mentors prefer students to get involved as early as possible so they can learn more skills and contribute more significantly to the project by the time they graduate.

Other mentors might only want students who have taken a specific, upper-division course so students have some fundamental skills or knowledge that will prepare them to be successful.

Ask the mentor(s) you're interested in working with whether they have any requirements before students can get involved in their RSCA projects!

Check our "How to Get Involved in RSCA" page for more tips!

Yes! It is never too late to get involved in research, scholarship or creative activities! And contributing to a project can be a great way to get to know new people at SDSU.

Some mentors prefer student assistants that have more than one semester left before graduation so they have enough time to develop useful skills and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to a project.

And SDSU does offer some RSCA support programs that are specifically designed for transfer students.

Ask a potential mentor or your major advisors if they know of RSCA opportunities for more senior students!

Yes! Depending on the mentor and the RSCA program, there may be funds available for hourly pay or for a student to travel to attend or present the work at professional conferences and events.

If there are not funds available for a student assistant on a specific project, there may be opportunities to earn course credit or to contribute on a volunteer basis.

Not always. It seems like any mentor would love to have someone to help, especially if they weren't asking for pay or course credit, but it almost always takes time to teach someone how to do something.

The training for tasks takes even longer when the tasks become more complex, and sometimes the time it takes to delegate (i.e., train someone else to do the task) is much longer than the time it takes the professor to do it him/herself.  Be respectful of the investment a professor makes in training you to do new things.

Mentors may have limited time or resources to devote toward student RSCA assistants and mentoring depending on how many courses they are teaching, available project funding, or personal factors.

If you are interested in working with a specific mentor, their availability may change on a semester-by-semester basis and it might be worthwhile to reach out multiple times.

That's normal! RSCA mentors (faculty, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, etc.) typically do not expect students to know how to help them with their work right away. They DO expect to provide new student assistants with training and mentorship and expect new student assistants to have and to ask lots of questions. Training may look like completing a short online course or working closely with a more experienced student.

It can be helpful to remember that your mentor was in your position earlier in their career. They got to where they are through lots of help and training from their mentors.

That's not an uncommon experience for students and you don't have to work on a project forever. It is also possible that you might enjoy a different type of RSCA project or working with a different mentor or with different colleagues.

Nevertheless, you will likely have developed useful skills that will translate to your future career - professional communication and presentation skills, project and time management, and critical thinking and analysis.

There are many, many reasons why you may not be chosen for a particular RSCA opportunity. Don't take the rejection personally. Ask what skills you can gain to be a better fit next time the opportunity becomes available. Learn to be resilient and gently persistent.

Highlight any relevant coursework, skills, or experiences, even if they're not directly related to research. Be sure to include a short statement about why you’re interested in the project and how you hope to contribute.

The time commitment varies by project and mentor. Some projects may require a few hours per week, while others may expect more, especially if it involves lab work or fieldwork. Discuss expectations with your mentor beforehand.

RSCA can be an additional commitment, so it’s important to balance it with your coursework. Many students find that managing their time well allows them to participate in RSCA without impacting their academic performance. Some RSCA roles may even offer course credit.

Yes! If your interests evolve or you want to try a new area, many mentors and departments are open to students exploring different projects over time.

RSCA experience demonstrates to employers and graduate programs that you have practical skills, experience in problem-solving, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team. It also shows that you’ve been mentored by faculty or senior researchers, which is valuable for career growth.

Research, scholarship, and creative activities are available in nearly every field, from humanities and social sciences to the arts. Students can participate in everything from data analysis in psychology to archival research in history, or even create original works in art or literature.

Show enthusiasm for their work, be prepared with questions, and demonstrate a willingness to learn. Many mentors appreciate students who show genuine curiosity and are proactive in their learning.

It's normal to face challenges in research. Talk to your mentor about any issues, whether they’re related to the project or personal schedule conflicts. Communication is key, and mentors are often understanding and willing to help.