Proper Way To Ask to Be Research Assistant Forum

[man2020]

With all that is going on I am considering the possibility of having to take summer classes if I cannot get an internship. If I go that route I was planning to also try to get a position as a research assistant with one of my professors. First, do you think employers will look on an RA position + summer classes favorably?

Second, the professor knows who I am and I know he hires RAs, but since I am cold emailing him I am not really sure what I should give him. Should I attach my resume, transcript, and a writing sample or just ask him without all that? It feels weird to me to be sending my transcript to a professor but maybe that's normal?

Thank you for any advice!!

[Wild Card]

It's fine as long as you're polite about it. Some profs. are too busy to put up a formal posting, others wish they could have some help and are very glad when they get it.

Hi, my name is so and so, I really enjoyed your class and did well, I'm writing to ask whether you're hiring RAs for this summer, I'm especially interested in your work on X because [...], attached is my stuff, I'd be grateful for your consideration, etc.

Just resume and transcript is fine.

[jaekeem]

if you know them well enough you can also stop by their office, catch up and just let them know that you're interested in being an RA if they need research assistance over the summer (esp if you actually have an interest in their scholarship/subject matter)

you should attach at least a transcript

I was an RA twice and both profs asked for it iirc (idk if it made much of a difference. if they want to gauge "fit" as an RA it's probably going to be a casual conversation in their office that lets them decide)

[man2020]

Thanks for the advice! Unfortunately I can't really meet with my professor in person due to the pandemic although that would definitely be ideal. I will email him like you said though.

Have you guys ever had employers ask/compliment about your RA position? Wondering if OCI employers in spring will think that was a good use of my time.

[nixy]

What are your other options? Being an RA is definitely better than not having any legal job. Personally, I am normally much more pro-doing a real job with some kind of legal employer, BUT under the current circumstances, I can't imagine many employers are excited about bringing on a summer intern virtually. No one will have a problem with you working as an RA.

So yeah, if you had a different (paid) option, I might suggest going with that over being an RA, but I doubt you're going to have other options. Being an RA is fine.

[man2020]

Yeah my other options are doubtful. I have two firms where I have interviewed and there was talk about a second interview but I think most firms are still too busy figuring out how the firm is going to deal with the virus and also they may not want a "remote" 1L. I want to wait for them but I also don't want to wait so long that I end up with neither an RA position or a job.

Classes end in a week, and then finals period is for a couple weeks. Maybe I'll ask about being an RA during finals week and give employers a little more time.

[Wild Card]

Have you guys ever had employers ask/compliment about your RA position? Wondering if OCI employers in spring will think that was a good use of my time.

Yes, but you would have to work on a project that's well known or directly applicable to the position you're seeking--for instance, are you helping Chemerinsky update his Constitutional Law treatise?

[Libya]

Thanks for the advice! Unfortunately I can't really meet with my professor in person due to the pandemic although that would definitely be ideal. I will email him like you said though.

Have you guys ever had employers ask/compliment about your RA position? Wondering if OCI employers in spring will think that was a good use of my time.

On a call back I had a V10 partner ask several substantive questions about the research I did, including follow up questions and pushing me on my positions on the issue. It’s because it was related to his practice, however, and he was also just an intense interviewer overall. Also had a V5 partner ask several substantive questions, but it’s a firm notorious for having tougher callbacks than probably any place. Other than those two occurrences I doubt you’ll get many specific questions; but if it’s on your resume I’d say you should still be able to field most questions that may come up regarding the things you researched.


As to asking for a position, I just cold emailed a professor when I was a 1L explaining my interest in his work and helping him out if possible. It probably helped he wasn’t a “rockstar.” I feel like some of the most useful RA positions (tax profs, financial reg profs, corporate governance profs) get overlooked for the bigger names in con law or crim pro (although i guess if you wanna do scotus those are the people you need backing you)

[B90]

You can't/shouldn't compare how future employers will look at an RA position (or anything else, for that matter) with how they looked at it pre-pandemic.
I think employers will understand not having certain usually expected things on a resume, because some things just cannot be accomplished right now. Many applicants will be in the same boat. That said, they have to judge you on SOMETHING. The onus is on you to market yourself (as it always is) and show how your RA position or any other experience taught you something that is of value to the employer.
OP asked if anyone had an employer ask about an RA position. If they don't you can (and should) bring it up You should be prepared to show how what you did is applicable to the position you are interviewing for.
I know everyone feels nervous/anxious right now. It's normal to want to figure things out and maintain/ establish some sort of order, but you just gotta do the best you can/make the best of the situation and push forward.

[man2020]

You can't/shouldn't compare how future employers will look at an RA position (or anything else, for that matter) with how they looked at it pre-pandemic.
I think employers will understand not having certain usually expected things on a resume, because some things just cannot be accomplished right now. Many applicants will be in the same boat. That said, they have to judge you on SOMETHING. The onus is on you to market yourself (as it always is) and show how your RA position or any other experience taught you something that is of value to the employer.
OP asked if anyone had an employer ask about an RA position. If they don't you can (and should) bring it up You should be prepared to show how what you did is applicable to the position you are interviewing for.
I know everyone feels nervous/anxious right now. It's normal to want to figure things out and maintain/ establish some sort of order, but you just gotta do the best you can/make the best of the situation and push forward.

Makes a lot of sense. Really appreciate the advice

[man2020]

Thanks for the advice! Unfortunately I can't really meet with my professor in person due to the pandemic although that would definitely be ideal. I will email him like you said though.

Have you guys ever had employers ask/compliment about your RA position? Wondering if OCI employers in spring will think that was a good use of my time.

On a call back I had a V10 partner ask several substantive questions about the research I did, including follow up questions and pushing me on my positions on the issue. It’s because it was related to his practice, however, and he was also just an intense interviewer overall. Also had a V5 partner ask several substantive questions, but it’s a firm notorious for having tougher callbacks than probably any place. Other than those two occurrences I doubt you’ll get many specific questions; but if it’s on your resume I’d say you should still be able to field most questions that may come up regarding the things you researched.


As to asking for a position, I just cold emailed a professor when I was a 1L explaining my interest in his work and helping him out if possible. It probably helped he wasn’t a “rockstar.” I feel like some of the most useful RA positions (tax profs, financial reg profs, corporate governance profs) get overlooked for the bigger names in con law or crim pro (although i guess if you wanna do scotus those are the people you need backing you)

Wow that is intense. My prof isn't Chemerinsky either so he might be more willing to take me on.

[GxGw1994]

I would not send a resume or transcript if the professor knows you. Just send an email asking if he has considered hiring an RA this summer. Mention that you did well in his class and if you have any special interest in his subject area.

I worked as an RA once and it was a great experience. People ask about it during interviews and it usually gives me something interesting to talk about. Obviously it helps if it’s related to your future area of practice or if the professor is well known (even if they’re only known locally).

I think having any legal job during a pandemic will be good enough. Employers will understand that everything has been disrupted.

[B90]

I would not send a resume or transcript if the professor knows you. Just send an email asking if he has considered hiring an RA this summer. Mention that you did well in his class and if you have any special interest in his subject area.

I worked as an RA once and it was a great experience. People ask about it during interviews and it usually gives me something interesting to talk about. Obviously it helps if it’s related to your future area of practice or if the professor is well known (even if they’re only known locally).

I think having any legal job during a pandemic will be good enough. Employers will understand that everything has been disrupted.

+1
Another thing to keep in mind/use to your advantage is that profs are also having their world turned upside down right now and are scrambling/feeling a little discombobulated right now. Reaching out to someone with an offer of assistance (pun intended) can be a breath of fresh air.
I believe that being proactive and making the most out of this pandemic can be especially fruitful right now and beneficial to your career.