If you have published your research in some way (for example: in a blog, an e-journal, or in Digital Scholarship@UNLV), then it will have some impact on those that find and read what you published. Even undergraduate student research can and has been published online, and if you're looking to publish throughout your career, you can start at any time. After you've published your research online, others can access it and may cite your publication, download it, share it on social media, or talk about it in a news article. Check out the section below to find out how to get started in measuring your impact.
To get started, first, you should create a researcher ID profile (such as ORCID) that can follow you throughout your career. You can also create an account on a professional networking site, such as LinkedIn or Academia.edu, and connect your ID to those sites. Next, whenever you publish something, make sure it gets added to your profiles (ORCID accounts can be connected to other sites to automatically update, for example). You can measure the impact of your research using metrics, altmetrics, or citations. Finally, using the networking sites, find ways to connect with others in your field of study.
If you need help discovering how to demonstrate your research's impact, please reach out and schedule a consultation with your Subject Liaison Librarian or Christina Miskey, Research Impact Librarian.
Sharing the impact of your research and the experience you've gained while doing it is vital for finding a professional position after graduation. There are various ways to showcase the impact of your work while job searching, depending on what type of position you're trying to get. Below are two broad sections discussing demonstrating impact while searching for jobs within academia and outside of it. Ultimately, you should remember that you bring unique skills to any position you apply for and that the information here is just a starting point.
When searching for a non-academic position, things like metrics or citations may not be as important, however, you can still talk about how your research has had an impact on your field. Take advantage of UNLV Career Services and Libraries resources and workshops which have several experts and tools to help you develop interview skills, create your resume, write cover letters, and more.
You can discuss your research on your resume, in a cover letter, during your elevator pitch, or ask for recommendation letters to include information about your research and how it benefits your desired career field.
Before applying to any positions, create an academic CV that lists your previous employment history, education, and any publications. There are many examples available online, but you can also ask your faculty advisor or someone in your field for suggestions. In your cover letter, or during an interview, if relevant, you can talk about your research and its impact. Even if you don't have citations for your publications, you can still find other ways of showing that your research is important and has an impact on your field.