Research Opportunities & Potential Funding

Getting Started in Research with URAP Apprenticeships (Fall 2023)

Office of Undergraduate Research Peer Advisors shared information about the Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP) as well as their own experiences conducting undergraduate research at Cal. 

Miss the workshop?  Slides now available!

/sites/default/files/documents/student_services/undergrads/9_18_23_URAP_Presentation.pdf

 

Resumé/CV Development (Spring 2021-April 14th)

 

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. For many Sociology students, it can be hard to translate what they have learned into a marketable set of skills. This workshop focuses on crafting your resumé and/or CV in such a way that it will catch the eyes of employers for full-time positions, internships, etc. 

Miss the Workshop? - Watch the video online!


Navigating the Academy as an Underrepresented Student (Spring 2021 - February 24th -)

 

Being an undergrad at Cal has its own set of issues but being an underrepresented student comes with even more – during the pandemic, this has become more obvious. However, community building and support is something that we still need and this panel workshop will teach you helpful tips on where to start.

Miss the Workshop? - Watch the video online!

 


Applying to Scholarships, Fellowships, and Internships (Spring 2021 - February 10th -)

 

Whether we want to admit it or not, applying to things is hard and it can feel like you have no idea what you’re doing or even if your application is the best it can be. This workshop focuses on the writing process so that you can better secure the funding and opportunities you’ll need as an undergrad and beyond.

Miss the Workshop? - Watch the video online!


Beginning Research and Navigating Faculty Relationships (Fall 2020)

Research, Research, Research. We hear it everywhere but what does that mean? What does it look like? How do you start? What does working with a faculty member and/or research cluster look like? This workshop will give students an opportunity to not only learn how to go about the research process but also how to navigate relationships with faculty mentors and advisors.

Miss the Workshop? - Watch the video online!


Applying to Graduate School (Fall 2020)

On September 30, 2020 Sociology Graduate Students offered a workshop on Applying to Graduate School.  Applying to graduate school is a daunting task for students choosing their career path. This panel helped to demystify the application process by inviting current students to speak about their experiences choosing programs, managing their time effectively when filling out applications, and offering tips on how to make a good application great. 

Watch the video online!

 


In Spring 2019, the Department of Sociology offered a workshop on getting involved in Undergraduate Research.  This included information such as formulating your research question and developing a research proposal. 

Missed the workshop???

Slides from the workshop to help you get started as an undergraduate researcher are available below.

SOCIOLOGY UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH WORKSHOP PDF


You attend a large, preeminent research university.   Research is taking place all around you.  But how can you participate in research, as an undergraduate Sociology major?

1) Check out Undergraduate Research @ Berkeley:

2) Decide if you want to:

        A) Help with a faculty member or graduate student’s research.

        B) Conduct your own research.

        C) Both!

3) If you choose to work with a faculty member or graduate student, check out the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP) at research.berkeley.edu/urap/ .  Also, talk to faculty and graduate students whose work interests you and ask if they’re looking for research assistants.

4) If you choose to conduct your own research, consider applying for the Sociology Senior Honors Program or doing an Independent Study.  Check out other research opportunities on campus using research.berkeley.edu (see number 2). Attend Workshop B:  Writing a Research Proposal.

5) Brainstorm what you would like to research. Maybe something that was mentioned in one of your classes that you’d like to examine in more detail?  Or how about something you’ve observed in your community that you’d like to turn into a research project?  The possibilities are endless!

6) Talk to faculty & graduate students doing work that interests you or is similar to what you’re thinking about researching.  For Independent Studies, find a Faculty Sponsor.

7) Take your topic and turn it into a research question.  Think of potential research methods you could use (hooray for Soc 5!).

8) Pay attention to deadlines & apply for URAP, SURF, McNair, Haas, and Cal-ADAR  programs to fund certain topics, Senior Honors Program, and/or Independent Study.  Look for funding sources through research.berkeley.edu .

9) You’re on your way to doing research at Berkeley!  Contact a Sociology advisor at any point with questions.  Consider pursuing a Ph.D. if you find yourself loving the research life!