Pros
There were no pros. I literally learned nothing and it was a waste of time.
Cons
As a graduate student volunteering as an RA in the UCLA Psych Dept., I must say that I have never felt so undervalued and disrespected in a research environment, and I have worked in many. I worked this lab for three months, driving two hours round-trip to aid with their study before withdrawing. Research students are not waived from the parking garages fees... $15 for the day with no overnight; the coordinator and director were condescending and not helpful during the training process; they do not credit a large majority of their RAs who contribute to the research; heavy workload expected for an unpaid position; they bolster it as a "great opportunity for learning"... more like monotonous gruntwork (no opportunity to advance and work outside of coding); they backpedal on research incentives; and when voicing complaints such as this one... it is ignored and swept under the rug. UCLA, I'm thoroughly appalled at the unprofessionalism and frigidness demonstrated by your faculty. How can anyone hold you in such high esteem when you exploit students workers to maintain your shiny facade of excellence and equity. Seriously.
