I’m a neurobiology major, and I think a lot of research experience is good even if I decide to work at a company and not go for grad school. Anyways, I’m wondering as a freshman (second semester), what am I even qualified to do in a lab? If I don’t have the ability to do anything more advanced than cleaning lab equipment, then I’d rather spend the time taking more classes.
I took AP calc in high school and would finish chem 109 by the end of this current semester, and I have some programming knowledge. No AP/college biology or physics taken yet.
You have to start someplace. A family member here did just that as a first term researcher, with additional task added just about every week. That family member ended up being listed as an author of a research study when he was a senior. He is now a doctor.
I agree that you have to start someplace, and that may include cleaning lab equipment. From there you might be given more and more responsibility, learn new skills etc, which could lead to being published- as noted above.
The experience will be valuable whether you go to grad school or work right after graduation.