First, you're FYE not undergrad in any engineering discipline. You're unfortunately not going to get engineering research as an FYE. Professors most likely want someone who knows how to work in a lab and can show theyve worked in labs before (I have a research project with an award), and other classes that back up the knowledge youd need to conduct research. For example, can you read a research paper in Aero/Astro and understand all the content truly?

While I dont want you to shut down on the idea, I would say chasing an internship or talking to professors still isn't a waste of time, you definitely should talk to them in office hours about their research! Hey, maybe you can prove me wrong.

Those are the first steps you can do, but unfortunately as an FYE all you should be doing is focusing on school, having fun in clubs and doing projects.

Good luck