by Alani Beauchamp
When I started my academic journey at the University of Florida, I was eager to engage in research. As a psychology student with a passion for understanding human behavior in a legal context, I knew research was a critical part of my academic and professional journey. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, I wasn't able to join a lab as many of them required a minimum of 9 hours a week and I had to dedicate that time to working. During my second year at UF, I spent a lot of time researching paid summer research experiences for undergraduates. I eventually came across the NSF REU website which provided a variety of summer research opportunities that I could apply for, even with no prior research experience. I applied to a few and was fortunately accepted into the 10-week Behavioral Sciences REU program at West Virginia University, and it turned out to be pivotal experience in my professional and academic development.
I was accepted to work under Dr. Ray Joslyn at the university. During my time there I worked on a research project that investigated individual differences during analog forensic interviews. I was excited to work on this project as it was a perfect blend of my interests in psychology and law. At the end of the summer, I was able to prepare a poster and present at WVU's Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium. This hands-on work allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of designing experiments, creating research materials, gathering and analyzing data, and interpreting and presenting results.
Beyond working in the lab, I was also able to engage in other experiences that fostered academic and professional growth. Throughout each week we spent time participating in a physical computing workshop where we learned to program a microcontroller to detect behavior using a C++ based language. Even though I had no experience in coding, I actually really enjoyed it, and I learned a lot. Additionally, we took part in a professional development class, where we were not only taught more about the research process, but we gained a deeper understanding of graduate school through lectures on application materials and various guest speakers. I even got to speak to a few alumni and current professors from UF!
Outside of the educational and professional benefits, the program provided other benefits as well. We were given free on-campus housing at the university as well as covered travel to and from the institution. Additionally, we received a generous stipend that included support for our meals throughout the summer. The program also hosted biweekly excursions and team-building activities. We were able to go ziplining, kayaking, rock climbing, and much more. I grew close with my peers in the summer cohort and had such a fun and unforgettable experience.
Reflecting on my REU experience, I realize how much it influenced my academic goals. This opportunity truly solidified my desire to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology, focusing on topics in psychology and law. It also prepared me for the challenges and rewards of doing research full-time. It revealed the dedication and critical thinking that research demands but also the satisfaction of meeting goals and seeing results. After participating in this program, I feel confident taking the next steps in my academic journey.
I am extremely grateful for the support and guidance from my mentors and peers that I met at WVU. To other students who are thinking about research or are possibly interested in graduate school, I can't stress enough the value of pursuing an opportunity like this one, even if they're outside your comfort zone. Every experience is a stepping stone and you never know how an opportunity, especially one you didn't expect, might shape your future.
