What’s the best way to go about asking professors for research positions / jobs? I’ve been trying for a while, but it seems that I’m not doing a terrible good job at it. Or it could be because I’m a first-year, but no one’s even sent a reply e-mail yet.
I usually email them first to set up an appointment, and then see them in their office. Occasionally they say that they don’t have any projects for students at the moment, but I’ve always managed to find something eventually. If you’re looking for a paid position that might be harder, because not all professors have room in their grants for that. Have you tried talking to the professors that teach your classes? If they already know you you might have more success.
Are you a first-year in college or a first-year in graduate school? If you’re in graduate school I would think you’d be able to get a research position. Then again, I only have experience with physics departments; your department might be different.