Whether they are stepping into their first research assistant (RA) role or building on past research experiences, students in the Marriott Research Fellows (MRF) program at the BYU Marriott School of Business gain new skills and build stronger faculty connections as they begin work as RAs.
The program, created in fall 2023, starts with a seven-week course in which students learn and practice the research process before being paired with faculty to work as RAs. Students learn how to structure research papers, use the library’s databases, analyze data, and manage their time. “We meet these students where they are and help them to build or strengthen a research foundation,” says Kirsten Novilla, who taught the course and headed the MRF program as the research development coordinator for BYU Marriott.
Sydney Lanning, a senior studying marketing from Tracy, California, was working for Associate Professor of Marketing Darron Billeter when he encouraged her to participate in the program to strengthen her skills. “I learned how to research much more efficiently and effectively,” says Lanning. “I’m just so much faster and better than before, when I was trying to figure it out on my own.”
Something that initially surprised Lanning was her excitement to go to class each week. “I was so busy with other classes and other jobs, but it was such a great environment to go and learn.” Lanning explains that with a variety of interests, research levels, and majors represented, the energy of the class was collaborative and supportive.
Through participating in the MRF program, Lanning decided to pursue a career in academia. “I wanted to do the program to get better training and to see if I really wanted to do this—and I just fell more in love with research,” says Lanning, who is now applying to PhD programs.
A possible career in academia motivated John Everett, an information systems student from Thousand Oaks, California, to enroll in the program. Inspired by his father who teaches finance at another university, Everett wanted to learn more about research. “Academia has been something in the back of my mind, and I thought this program would be a good opportunity to see if I liked it,” Everett says.
Although Everett didn’t discover the same passion for research as Lanning, his experience helped solidify his interest in information systems. “What I was doing for research was actually super relevant to my major,” Everett says. The program also helped him connect with professors interested in similar problems to those he was researching.
After completing the seven-week program, Everett began working as an RA for Joel C. Peterson Professor of Finance Jim Brau. “The best part of the whole experience was getting to know the professor,” Everett says. Working with Brau also gave Everett a chance to present parts of their work at a research conference hosted by Utah Valley University.
Seeing the students from class discover new passions helped Novilla find joy in her work. “Students understand that research is everywhere, and they now know exactly how to utilize the skills they’ve learned in the jobs they want to pursue,” Novilla says. “This program is such a great way to not only provide extra support to faculty and their research but to also offer students unique opportunities that help equip them for the future.”