Lost&Found Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Hi everyone, I recently obtained a research position with a doctor at St. Mike's hospital for Summer 2012. The position seems great and I'm super excited about participating in clinical research, but he's just informed me that he cannot confirm that he will be able to pay me a salary for my summer work. He says that he has applied for funding for my position and is "quite hopeful" that he will get it. Otherwise, he's offered me work on a volunteer/unpaid basis. I'm not sure how these grants work. How possible do you think it is that he will obtain funding? Ideally, I'd like to be paid, since it's for an entire 4 months. But I don't know if I should tentatively agree to work on a volunteer basis. Thoughts? Thanks! ~L&F Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lactic Folly Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Is there a student award you can concurrently apply for in case his grant doesn't work out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost&Found Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I have no clue...like an NSERC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovestruck Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I have no clue...like an NSERC? Yep like an NSERC. Although I think the deadline is passed already? Could you make a deal and volunteer for less then 40 hours a week and work part-time during the summer to make up for it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lactic Folly Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Universities and hospitals often have their own awards as well. If your research is in an specific clinical area, related foundations and associations may also have awards available. If your supervisor isn't aware of these, you'll have to do some digging on your own on the internet or at the student awards office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost&Found Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I suppose I could...Actually, I'm planning on taking the MCAT next summer and being a volunteer may give me more flexibility with my hours so maybe I'll have more time to study?...I'm a little disappointed...I think his research is great and it fits well with what I'm studying...Damn...He suggested that I explore other opportunities if I'm 100% set on paid research...I guess I should ask him when he'll know for sure if he can or can't pay me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost&Found Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Just to confirm...opportunities aren't viewed as less favourable if they're done on a volunteer basis, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lactic Folly Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Correct - it's about what you make of the opportunity. However, if you win a studentship, you can list this as an award on your CV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost&Found Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Thank you for the suggestions...If I am, for whatever reason, unable to get a studentship and if his grant does not come through, would you suggest that I work on an Unpaid basis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lactic Folly Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 In the grand scheme of things, are you more in need of $$ to get through the year, or research experience and a great reference letter (you'll have to go with your gut about the preceptor)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost&Found Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I'm not in need of $ in the sense that I'm not paying for my own tuition. I'd like some cash inflow (because who wouldn't) but I guess I don't NEED it. Actually, the PI was very supportive of my pursuit of med school and made it clear that he'd be more than willing to write me a reference letter, even if I only choose to stay with his lab for one summer...I guess I should consider it, huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lactic Folly Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Sounds like a great opportunity from what you're saying. Aside from the $ (and it'll be nice to demonstrate your initiative and motivation to him by looking into other awards), you might want to bring up your MCAT plans if you haven't already, just so expectations are clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost&Found Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I will. Thank you so much for your insights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lactic Folly Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 You're welcome. Hope you have a great summer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsSnrub Posted November 11, 2011 Report Share Posted November 11, 2011 In case you're still wondering about this, I was a St. Mike's summer student a couple of years ago. In addition to the scholarship (which is what I think your PI applied to), you can also apply for funding through IMS...not sure when the deadline is but definitely worth looking into. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost&Found Posted November 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2011 Thank you. I will. Do you have any insights about the scholarship? Do you think my PI will get funding (not that I'm not gonna try and apply myself)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsSnrub Posted November 11, 2011 Report Share Posted November 11, 2011 I'm not too sure as to the specifics (I didn't actually receive it myself as I was hired way too late, but another girl in the lab did). From what she was saying, it seemed like most labs generally got at least one scholarship, so if you're the first student hired your chances should be pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost&Found Posted November 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2011 Thanks that's good to know. Did you enjoy it? Good experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsSnrub Posted November 11, 2011 Report Share Posted November 11, 2011 Yeah, it was a good environment. Now, with the new Li Ka Shing (I think it's open...) building, it'll be a sweet research centre to work in. What department are you in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsSnrub Posted November 12, 2011 Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 Hey there, I'd rather not say what I'm studying in undergrad for personal reasons, but I can tell you that I took a year of calculus in first year, grade 11 physics and a year of physics in second year (the course was the equivalent of first year physics but didn't cover all the material that first year physics does). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost&Found Posted November 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 Yeah, it was a good environment. Now, with the new Li Ka Shing (I think it's open...) building, it'll be a sweet research centre to work in. What department are you in? Yeah, the new research centre seems great (not that I've spent much time there yet). My PI is in Family Medicine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.