Anyone a Speech and Language Pathologist?

[sunnyside]

I'm considering a career change. If you are one, could you tell me what it's like and what you like about it? Thank you!

[niccig]

Not yet, I started back at college this year to be one. I can tell you from the student perspective so far...

It's a LOT of work. There's a lot of competition to get into Masters courses, so you have to do really one in the core classes. Each Masters level program has different requirements for classes taken at the UG level. The program near me has 12 courses. So it'll take me 3 semesters with some summer school, to get them done, and then expecting Masters to be 2-3 years (maybe closer to 3 if need to go slower because of family commitments and it's harder to get into clases because of budget cutbacks.)

We've been told we have to get As in the 12 classes, UG GPA has to be min. 3.6 and GRE is 500 on verbal and quantitive. Other programs can have different requirements. They get 150 applications and accept 50. My adviser is the head of the department and he said as long as meet min. requirements, then they look at you as a whole to decide if you would be a good clinician. I know of people with better GPAs and GRE scores that didn't get accepted

Basically, all my classmates and I are working our tushies off. Everyone in the classes is very helpful. I'm in a study group for each of my 4 classes, and everyone shares information, students I know who have already done these classes have emailed me their lecture notes. We need to "divide and conquer" to get through the coursework. Our classes are not marked on a bell curve, and you have to get min. of a B for licensing requirements.

Some students I know in the MS told me there is still a lot of work in the graduate program, but the pressure is off as you know you are in and just have to get a B.

I don't want to dissuade you with the amount of work required, but it helps if you know going in. I didn't know and got quite a shock last semester. But, I'm loving the classes and I know this is what I want to do. I'm treating it like a full-time job + overtime (I have to work later into night to make up for afternoons when I pick DS up from school).

[niccig]

Oh, one of my professors asked the class why there was such a demand for the classes. Someone mentioned the good job prospects, at the moment it is 100% employment from my university's program. She said that over her career, the job demand has gone up and done, and that as it takes so long and is so much work, you need more motivation than to get a "good" job.

[brittone2]

nak-I'm a physical therapist (still licensed, not currently practicing), which has some similarities. I've worked with many SLPs, primarily in early intervention/pediatrics. I've done speech screening and worked on evaluation teams with SLPs as well.

If you are considering it seriously, I always recommend people spend time shadowing someone in the profession. When I applied to my program years ago, a certain number of volunteer hours were required as part of the application process. SLPs, PTs, and OTs have the flexibility to work in many different types of settings, and it can be extremely helpful to volunteer in one or more of those settings. Acute care, rehab, skilled nursing, outpatient private practice, pediatrics, early intervention...they are all really different, and it can be helpful to see what the job is like in one or more settings.

[Uno-Mom]

Like Brittone, I'm not one but I work with lots. My role is behavior specialist for children and adults who have signficant disabilities, so I often partner up with an SLP.

Some of the best ones I know express frustration that their time and impact is so limited for my folks. We are limited to a certain number of sessions which is NEVER enough. I think that's the reality in any sort of therapist mode when insurance is involved. They are relieved to work with me because then they know someone will take their great ideas and make sure they are practiced longer term.

A lot probably depends on your specialty and/or the population you serve. My folks are almost always on Medicaid or other government insurance programs, so extremely limited. Most of my kids are out of foster care. I'm certain SLPs have a more satisfying experience when they serve a less impoverished population with better benefits!

[sunnyside]

Thanks everyone!

I work in software technology and like certain things about it, but also feel like making a bit of a change. I have a great career though so it's a lot to think about. I'm not heart set on SLP, but I do feel that before I took a turn towards tech, that I was heading more in a SLP like direction. I studied Psychology and then because interested in Cognitive Science and Linguistics... Of course then I got a degree in 3D Animation and then went back to working in Software... Never mind the other things I studied along the way... I probably am not prepared for a lengthy return to school, but I sometimes wish I'd just stuck with Cognitive Science and Linguistics...

[niccig]

I studied Psychology and then because interested in Cognitive Science and Linguistics... .

Yep, it's all of that and anatomy. It's a nice combination of many interesting subjects.

It is lengthy to go back to do it, and there's a number of hurdles. It is overwhelming to think of doing it all. Our pet sitter went through the program and she told me to just look far enough ahead, so you know what to do next.

It can be done, I've got classmates who work, have 3 kids and are doing 1-2 subjects at a time. It takes longer, but they'll get there.

[Uno-Mom]

Totally random thought: if you excel with technology and software, you might investigate augmentive communication devices such as Dynavox. In my area, most SLPs lack expertise in the software area. Which sucks, because those devices are freaking amazing! Success depends on (1) determination and support, and (2) someone able to understand and program them well.

I would KILL for an SLP who specialized in software. Well, maybe not kill, but at least beg and plead!

[niccig]

Totally random thought: if you excel with technology and software, you might investigate augmentive communication devices such as Dynavox. In my area, most SLPs lack expertise in the software area. Which sucks, because those devices are freaking amazing! Success depends on (1) determination and support, and (2) someone able to understand and program them well.

I would KILL for an SLP who specialized in software. Well, maybe not kill, but at least beg and plead!

This sounds interesting to me as well.

OP, it is a varied field with different niche areas. Don't let my post about school put you off. Spend some time with some SLPs, go to an information session at a local college etc. It will take time and work, but if it's something you want to do, it's worth the effort.

This is my do-over, as I too went in a different direction that I now regret. I know how that feels. School is a lot of work, but the material is much more interesting than my previous studies/work. And the SLPs I know, tell me school was difficult, but the work is not too stressful and they love what they do. There was a list of the 10 least stressful jobs and SLP was in there, we all joked in class that they polled SLPs AFTER grad. school.

[mom2binsd]

I've been as SLP for over 16 years and never once have I thought of doing another type of job. I started working in the schools, and have also done outpatient at a Children's Hospital and now work in geriatrics and in nursing homes which has proved to be a lot more interesting than I thought it would be.

Being an SLP gives you a lot of options and portability. Many of my fellow SLP's work part time, either 50% or 80%..I get to set my schedule and can work the days/times I want.

It is an amazingly satisfying job, whether it is working with a child with a severe language delay, a teen in highschool with a cognitive and speech disorder requiring the use of Augmentative Communication, or working with a patient who arrives on a feeding tube/with a trach and a few months later I can bring him a burger from McDonald's as a celebratory meal as he has been able to regain his ability to swallow!

I love working with families too, again it's either the parents who are often so scared and worried or the children/spouses of the patient in the nursing home who have so many questions, I love it all....of course there are times when you feel like you're not doing much, or that progress isn't happening, but for the most part I finish my day feeling I've really made a difference.

AND you get to answer all of your friends/co-workers and fellow BBB questions about whether "is this normal"....it is a nice feeling though to feel like your knowledge is appreciated.

As niccig has pointed out, the programs are VERY competitive to get into and LOTS of work, not just classroom stuff, but the number of clinical clock hours required is insane and they don't include the time spent preparing for each therapy session and writing the reports.

My graduate program (U of Vermont) was very small, 12 students and it was one of the most amazing experiences in spite of the fact that I had lost my mother 6 months before. My undergrad was in Linguistics with some psych. Other students in my class had a variety of backgrounds.

The job market is stable and the pay pretty good.

I have never ever had trouble finding a job.