Research Assistant

Not sure what jobs are attainable with a BA/BS degree? A research assistant is a great opportunity to gain research in-field experience while learning what subjects interest you the most! The hands on experience you will gain as a research assistant will provide critical skills that can be utilized in future career endeavors!

Typical duties of a research assistant vary depending on their area of study. Common responsibilities entail gathering credible information/accurate data through various collection methods such as administering surveys or conducting experiments. Additionally, research assistants perform statistical analyses on their data and prepare reports in a way that will clearly summarize their results. Day to day activities often include attending meetings, responding to emails, finding proper sources of funding, and performing literature reviews.

Research assistants can work in a variety of environments! Options include medical research centers, consulting firms, market research firms, and nonprofit organizations. Many universities hire research assistants to work in laboratories alongside their professors and/or peers to provide them with research experience as well.

Important qualities a person must obtain to excel in this career field are critical thinking skills, time management skills, and good communication skills. Furthermore, research assistants should be organized and detail oriented individuals who can accurately collect and analyze data.

The national average salary for research assistants is $39,058 per year in the United States. In Boise, the yearly salary is $35,117. Overall job outlook for research assistant careers have been positive since 2004 with an average growth rate of 7.81% per year!

In order to be qualified to become a research assistant, a bachelor's degree is generally required in a relevant field of study. However, some positions will accept an associate degree and will provide mandatory training.

Becoming a research assistant is a great job to learn lifelong skills as well as gain more experience to discover what truly interests you as you navigate life post graduation!