Benefits of Engaging in Undergraduate Research or Creative Expression

two students studying while sitting by a brick wall

Are there advantages to engaging in research or creative expression? 

What would I stand to gain from completing a faculty-mentored research or creative expression project?

Our answers to these questions are YES, and A LOT! But don’t take just our word for it: the Council on Undergraduate Research, which is a national-level organization that seeks to promote high-quality and collaborative research, scholarly, and creative expression activity opportunities for both students and faculty, says that actively engaging in research, scholarly, and creative expression activities as an undergraduate:

  • • Enhances student learning through mentoring relationships with faculty
  • • Increases retention and graduation in academic programs
  • • Increases enrollment in graduate education and provides effective career preparation
  • • Develops critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and intellectual independence
  • • Develops an understanding of research methodology
  • • Promotes an innovation-oriented culture
  • • Develops competencies that speak to career-readiness
  • Source

In addition, including mention of your completed Bobcat IDEA research or creative expression project on your résumé or CV will let potential future employers and graduate program admissions committees know that you have first-hand experience in creating and publicizing new knowledge in your field – which will help make your job or graduate school application stand out!

Two students sitting in chairs studying

Join Bobcat IDEA today

If you want to learn more about the benefits of doing a research or creative expression project and/or about how to have such an experience through us, feel free to drop us a line!