Demystifying a Career in Research
By Monica Goetz, MOT, OTR/L
Interested in a career in research or participating in clinical research, but not sure where to start? I recently interviewed Kelly Tanner, PhD, OTR/L, to get her perspective on how to get involved in occupational therapy research. Kelly is the occupational therapy research coordinator at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and a lecturer at The Ohio State University (OSU) Occupational Therapy Division.
In Kelly’s experience, many clinicians are interested in and excited about research, but they may perceive barriers to involvement. Many feel unsure about how to get involved or feel that they don’t have the time or resources to get involved. However, Kelly assured me that no effort is too small. Read on for Kelly’s insight about breaking into occupational therapy research as a soon-to-be therapist.
What led you to a career in research? Like many occupational therapy students, Kelly desired to make a difference in the field. She became interested in autism research and was fortunate to get the opportunity to participate in research with a faculty member in OSU’s Master of Occupational Therapy program. This early experience led her to pursue a research specialization and ultimately complete OSU’s dual MOT/PhD program.
What does a career in research entail? Most traditional research positions are in academia, which involves spending time teaching and doing research. However, non-academic research careers are available, such as Kelly’s role as a research coordinator for a hospital. As a research coordinator, Kelly facilitates research projects in the inpatient and outpatient therapy departments and is able to start new research projects that are aligned with her own interests.
What benefits are there to a career in research? A career in research is a great way to make a difference in the field of occupational therapy. As a researcher, you get the opportunity to work with clinical experts in a wide variety of fields and learn about various aspects of health care. It is also a great way to become involved on a national level.
What advice do you have for someone who is interested in pursuing a career in research or participating in clinical research endeavors? Find an area that you are passionate about and won’t easily get tired of researching. Also, find a mentor who has interests in similar areas or whose work you admire. Don’t be afraid to reach out to researchers or faculty members whose interests align with yours. Most researchers are happy to discuss their work and provide assistance to new researchers. Academic partnerships can be a good model since there are benefits to both the clinical setting as well as the academic researchers.
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