Research Lab or PT Aide??? Really need some input

[futurept99]

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I have the chance this upcoming year to either A) work in a research lab focusing on biomechanics (min 5 hrs/week) or B) work in the Health Center as a PT aide doing some basic hands on experience and shadowing PT staff (min 10 hrs/week).

My question is ... which experience would rate higher with PT schools?

I am really torn as I do not know if I can juggle both of these unbelievable opportunities along with a full class load so I might be having to make a tough decision as I really want to do both.

Thank you 🙂

 

[Paulynices]

I have the chance this upcoming year to either A) work in a research lab focusing on biomechanics (min 5 hrs/week) or B) work in the Health Center as a PT aide doing some basic hands on experience and shadowing PT staff (min 10 hrs/week).

My question is ... which experience would rate higher with PT schools?

I am really torn as I do not know if I can juggle both of these unbelievable opportunities along with a full class load so I might be having to make a tough decision as I really want to do both.

Thank you 🙂

As long as you have other PT experience (shadowing/volunteering), I would think Research would make more of an impression. How many prospective PT students have experience in some kind of PT setting? How many have experience performing research? Just my 2 cents.

 

[davidtheusername]

Both sound great, so if nothing else just go with the one that makes you happy/pays better. If they are equal, I'm with Paulynices. They see a lot more PT aides than they do research experience I would expect. Being unique is normally good.

 

[NewTestament]

Do the research. That experience is harder to find than a PT aide. So many applicants are PT aides. Also, if you find you hate research, it's better to find out now than to go to a research-based school.

 

[Watson27]

I think @NewTestament is on the right page. It depends on what you see yourself doing in the future, and if the school you are applying to is a research institution.

For example, I know that I want to do research and plan on getting a PhD. I'm looking at dual DPT/PhD programs, so I specifically got a job in the PT research department at a hospital.

But if you have no interest in research, don't take the job because you think it will look better to schools.

 

[SympatheticTrunk]

I worked as a research assistant in biomechanics while doing my undergrad. It was an unbelievable experience. I learned a lot and it helped me understand applied physics.

 

[futurept99]

Thank you to everyone who has provided their input. It is so very valuable and I do appreciate it 🙂 I definitely agree with your input on the research being more of a unique experience so I think I am leaning towards that since I have enough shadowing hours done already. Plus I just found out that the research position is volunteer for the first semester but could turn into a paid position for the remaining semesters.