Research questions don’t end once you finish higher education. “You’d be surprised how often in your life that kind of research skill will come up,” Rojas says.
In the context of business, health, law, and other areas, the ability to research a solution independently is invaluable, he explains. Being able to research whether the diagnosis your doctor gave you is mainstream or idiosyncratic can help you get to the heart of an issue you’re having. Knowing how to find out background information on a question of law before you settle on legal representation can save you time and money.
Research, in big and small ways, is a part of living in our modern society, and someone who already has research skills has a huge head start, he adds.
Being involved in the URP for CRRES has led Kia to make bolder moves and take another big step. “Doing this program has inspired me to apply to do my honors thesis for Sociology next year, which I’m really excited about.” She was approved to do her honors thesis for the 2021-22 school year, and this past summer she was part of Texas A&M’s Sociology Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), a summer fellowship that allows her to take part in world-class research on sociology and social inequality.
Kia doesn’t know what her future holds after undergrad quite yet, but she will always have the research skills that the URP and Professor Rojas have taught her.
“I definitely think I can use these skills just as a normal person. Even reading the news – it makes me think about it statistically. Does it check out? Are these studies scientific?” Whether in academia, corporate work, or the normal patterns of life, the ability to research effectively on your own is empowering.
Story by Devyn Blandford
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