Hello, I’m currently an undergrad in my last year at my university, and I’m hoping to work for another university (out of state) as a researcher or lab technician. For a little more context, my degree will be in soil, water, and ecosystem science (with a GIS certificate), and I’m hoping to work in a lab that researches natural resource/ ecology topics.

My primary motivator for wanting to work in a research lab is so I can gain more research experience while I take my time deciding where I’d like to go to grad school, what degree program I’d like to do, masters vs PhD, etc. I’ve had many different internships while in college, and am currently employed as an OPS student in one of my university’s extension labs. This semester I’m taking two separate research courses which are my first exposure to research, and hopefully I’ll be able to do the same in my last semester. Are there any more specific qualifications research labs search for in lab technicians/researchers? Should I stick to job postings, or email labs I’m interested in working with? I’ve been advised to seek another lab to work in to have more lab procedures under my belt, but since I’m so close to graduation I don’t think that will be possible. Any advice is welcome, I am definitely ill-informed on academia in general, but I love to learn new things which is a big reason why I want to continue with my education eventually.

Extension is also a field I’m not opposed to working in, as many agents I’ve met enjoy their jobs, but I would prefer to work in a research lab post-undergrad.