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5 Reasons Why Undergraduates Should Do Research

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man standing in sheep pen
“The sheep have arrive on the lawn near the Hyatt Place on UC Davis campus to graze for three days of research. Undergraduate researcher and shepherd Hunter Ottman stands in the pen. (Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis).”

Nearly 40 percent of UC Davis undergraduates participate in hands-on research. On the occasion of the 28th annual 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

A male medical student
Undergraduate research helped influence Shadd Cabalatungan toward a career in medicine. (John Griffin/Stony Brook University) 

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 . 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 , 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

Female student in front of restaurant menu board
Senior Julie Beppler developed skills that employers seek as she did research on restaurant menus. (Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis)

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 . 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. , 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

Woman standing by charging station for electric car
Senior Kathryn Green presented her policy research on ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ consumer rebate for clean vehicles to a showcase for alumni, donors, regents and other friends of the ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ in Los Angeles on April 20. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)

“Nerve wracking.” That’s how graduating senior Kathryn Green described her anticipation of presenting for the first time her research on ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ’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 , which included classes, an internship with the advocacy organization Environment ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ 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 in Los Angeles earlier in April for alumni, donors, regents and other friends of the ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ. “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