Undergraduate research can help East Texas A&M University students turn what they learn in the classroom into hands-on experience—and students do not have to figure out how to get started on their own.

The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Collaboration, or UROC, helps students across the university explore research opportunities, connect with faculty mentors and take their first steps into research.

“Undergraduate research is really about giving students the opportunity to turn curiosity into experience,” said Michael Holderer, coordinator of Honors and Undergraduate Research. “You don't have to already know how to be a researcher—you just need to be interested enough to take the first step.”

UROC is open to undergraduate students across disciplines. Students do not need to be members of the Honors College or major in a STEM field to participate. Research opportunities can be found in the sciences, humanities, business, education, arts, social sciences and other fields.

Through undergraduate research, students can develop problem-solving, communication and professional skills while exploring potential careers and graduate programs. Working alongside faculty mentors can also lead to valuable professional relationships, networking opportunities and future letters of recommendation.

UROC helps students identify their research interests, find faculty mentors and connect with available projects. Opportunities range from task-based research assistantships lasting one or two semesters to longer research projects that can potentially lead to a published paper or thesis.

Research may also come with financial support. Eligible students can earn money through ETAMU's Federal Work-Study Research Assistant Program, while the Student Transformative Learning Award can provide funding for expenses such as conference attendance and research supplies.

For students interested in research but unsure where to begin, UROC offers a simple starting point: Bring your curiosity, and UROC can help with the rest.