The Observer, March 23, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 21
SOURCE office provides research information
Letter to the Editor
To the Editor:
"And how many copies did you want," is what I had been asking for about six months at my "research" job at CWRU.
I had spent the first two years of undergrad doing paper work at University Hospitals. It was a very mindless but great job for someone who's trying to adjust to college and make some easy money. In August, I decided it was time to do research and sent out my resume to a few offices on campus. I got a response from one that sounded perfect, sat down with them, and started shortly thereafter. I went through the CITI Curriculum, learning about proper ways to conduct human research, and even went through a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) course. Needless to say, I was really excited about finally get started on research. However, all the training led to nothing more then making copies in the department office and during Thanksgiving Break, I was stuffing hundreds of envelopes. Clearly something wasn't right.
I decided in January, after six months of paper cuts that this wasn't the right job. I met with Sheila Pedigo in the Support of Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors (SOURCE) Office, and a few weeks later began doing actual research. Now I am working on a really fascinating study and getting to observe surgeries.
The work I am doing only defines a small part of what research at CWRU should be, and there are options in every department on campus. I am writing this letter for those of you who might have been like me, stuck in front of a copy machine with nowhere to turn. I urge you to check out the SOURCE website and set up a meeting with someone there. There are so many great opportunities at this world-renowned research institute we call home. So don't settle.
Neil R. Ursic
Undergraduate Student
