smarieSLP2b
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Posts posted by smarieSLP2b
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6 hours ago, Covidslp said:
In the future, this is a much better response to someone who is in the position of the OP.
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4 hours ago, roseyelephant said:
Yes, I've done quite a bit of research since this posting and have found the same thing about the salaries and competitiveness of the field. I have taken this test and many others and the suggestions are nursing, OT, rec therapy, and similar fields.
I have been trying to find more encouraging posts and people who love the field, which has been helping my anxieties. And you are so right about the job security!! Thank you for the additional comment, and apologies if my other one came off a rude in any way. I appreciate your advice.
Thanks for your comment! I've been in your shoes and have stayed there for far too long based off of Reddit or people online in very specific situations, sometimes we let those comments box us in a little. I was only put at ease when I voiced my concerns in the real world to SLP colleagues and some of them shared how much they've been able to make in certain settings/niches. It's daunting picking a career but it sounds like you have some good options lined up. Even if you choose one thing and decide it's not for you it's never too late to switch gears.
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4 hours ago, jomyers.online said:
The concerns that @roseyelephant raises are completely valid, and I'm happy that they are seeking out additional advice.
- Financial advisors charge, on average, $100-$400/hr, or one time fees of $1000-$2000 for a yearly financial plan. Suggesting that the woman going to food pantries seek financial advising is pretty out of touch. As @Xulaslp07 mentioned, the Financially Independent SLP is a great resource.
- It is also completely valid to choose a career based on prospective income. Several of my friends (in other majors) came to university as first-generation college students for the sole purpose of using their degree to support their extended families. That is not much of an option if you take a job in some school districts in Kansas City, where SLP salaries can start out as low as $40,000 and sometimes dip even lower. To prove my point, after taxes, that's $2,606 per month. If you're a single mother with 2 children, that's all you'd need to qualify for food stamps in Kansas. People will not bat an eye when a teacher says they are on food stamps or need help buying food for their families, but SLPs are often on the same salary schedule as those teachers.
- I'm going to keep going with that, based on my first year salary. (I made $2400/month as a teacher (take home pay) - it would be $2600 with a master's degree on that salary schedule, so we're going with the $2600 figure) Let's assume you have health insurance that your employer helps with, but that's an extra $300/month out of each paycheck for the halfway decent option (I was lucky enough to have insurance through my parents). If you live in a more affordable area, like Eudora, I've seen rents for as low as $700 for a studio/1 bedroom. Electric+gas+water: $150/ish. Food: for a low estimate, $4/meal * 3 meals a day * 30 days = $450 / month (that includes the coffee habit, which I sometimes had to forego). Let's assume you have a used car with a payment of $350/month, and insurance at $100/month. (and gas for your hour commute comes out to $70/month) Let's say, for giggles, that you have a dog ($80/month for food and preventative medicine). I was on an income driven repayment plan, which was only available for my government provided student loans (I went to a state-sponsored public university) - $200/month. I had to take out outside loans because I was unable to work as much while student teaching, so I owed Sallie Mae another $150/month after graduation. Oh, and a low estimate for a phone/internet bill would be $50/month. That leaves the teacher/SLP with the master's degree $0 (and me with $100 because I wasn't paying health insurance). But let's think about those things that aren't monthly expenses. For example, this is what my December looked like: What if you need new tires? A tooth filling because of that ridiculous coffee habit? You don't have Christmas presents for your family yet? (if you're an SLP, you pay ASHA around $250 in December as well) You're in the negative. No, I wasn't on food stamps, but the only way it would work out is if I had a significant other, roommates, or a second job. I went for a second job on the weekends, which netted me another $1000/month (I value financial independence from others). Keep in mind, in this example, you are working in a high-needs area and living in a very affordable small town about an hour away. I'm using myself as an example because I was definitely not an outlier: I was living a very average lifestyle as far as rent, food, transportation, and student loan repayments go. I probably could have spent less on coffee, but that wouldn't have made up the difference. In most cases, I don't think students really expect that while they are getting a master's degree in a respected profession, they will probably still need to take a second job or live with roommates the first couple of years if they work in the schools. This is where I see most of the negativity on reddit stemming from.
- Look at how this field is marketed: #4 in Best Health Care Jobs and #7 in 100 Best Jobs, according to U.S. News & World Report. Job creation in the profession is outpacing other occupations and is expected to grow by 18 percent from 2016 to 2026. You've seen the stats. But if you look at the actual financial prospects for freshly-minted SLPs (in the schools) you'd see a MAJOR disconnect. Don't believe me? If you were on the teacher salary schedule in the following districts (and it's highly likely that you would be paid based on this schedule in the schools), this is how much you could expect to make as a first-year SLP: St. Louis, $41,616 , Chicago Public Schools, $64,280 (208 day lane 2) , Minneapolis Public Schools, $50,011 (2018, couldn't find a more recent one) , Houston Public Schools, $55,369 (from what I've read, I think SLPs are on the counselor schedule), Phoenix, $66,974 (Elementary, District 1) As you can see, compensation varies widely. In most places you're not on the lowest end of the cost-of-living spectrum but you're not exactly rolling in it either. If money is a concern, as it seems to be for our friend here, it is absolutely necessary to contemplate this thoroughly. This is why my advice was to look at school districts that pay more, look into the medSLP route, shadow active SLPs, and continue to ask questions.
I'm happy that @roseyelephantis seeking additional answers as well! You can't believe everything you read online, which is where my comment was stemming from. I still stand by what I said, it would be childish for anyone to take one statement from one person on the internet and run with it as truth. It's mature to look at all aspects such as the fact that not all SLPs will end up on food stamps and struggling to make ends meet.
Also, it is not out of touch for me to suggest that the particular struggling SLP in question seek financial advice. Free resources can be found online if you look up keywords regarding budgeting and personal finance. I was referencing the free info anyone can find online, not the $400/hr financial advisors you are mentioning that typically work with wealthy folks seeking guidance with their investment portfolios.
I was also concerned about the low pay in this field when I worked as a Bachelor-level clinician in the schools earning $40K on the teacher pay scale. I was turned off by this field for years based off of what I read on Reddit from SLPs regretting their career choice due to the low pay. I have since taken the time to compare what I've read online, to what I have heard from SLPs I personally know and have worked with in real life. I won't waste my time throwing out numbers and figures since we all live in different areas with different standards of living. At the end of the day, everyone knows the pay in the schools can royally suck depending on which school district you end up working for and in what area of the country if thats the path you choose. However, I don't believe that should entirely deter anyone away from this field! Especially if they feel passionate about this career. As a Latina immigrant, I know what it's like having to send money to your motherland, however it's smart to be aware that there are other options in this field if you are willing to be open to it and that this particular struggling SLP's scenario is not always the case for everyone.
Also, anyone reading this should know that the stylized "medSLP" is not a term used in this field in normal conversation. It is only used by Washington State University in reference to their two track master degree program. Any licensed SLP, with a masters degree from any accredited university can work in the variety of settings this field offers. The terms regularly used in the field would be "school based" and "medical based".
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On 1/27/2021 at 3:04 PM, roseyelephant said:
Has anyone else considered becoming an RD? Considered other fields that are a similar pay with less responsibilities/less schooling? I seriously considered ultrasound (even shadowed) bc they get GREAT pay for a two year degree but it's not as great as it seems from the outside.
And to answer this question, yes I have considered RD among other allied health fields(including nursing). I decided against RD because it was not an available major at my undergrad university and decided on CSD. If you look at job postings and do some research you'll find that the field is known for having a pretty low average salary even though it requires X amount of training, however there are also some happy RD's out there as well! Regardless, you should consider taking a career aptitude test and look at your options but also I wouldn't be completely driven by income. I have friends with bachelor degrees in other fields making $80K, have nice cars/homes but are miserable. Then I have personally met and am friends with SLPs who work in the schools and make $50-58K and are happy with a decent living wage and work-life balance. As someone else said before, any career is what you make of it. Why not read up on success stories in SLP? Especially since you've already stated you don't see yourself doing anything else. With COVID it's been nice to see that for the most part, SLPs have not had their jobs cut or are being laid off like some of these other fields. Keep in mind there's a variety of salary ranges in this field depending on setting (SNF, private practice, schools, hospitals) and where you live. At the end of the day, choosing a career can be daunting but I wouldn't mull over it too much. Sometimes it is best to make a decision and stick with it to improve your quality of life. Not all of your life satisfaction has to come solely from a career. You can have side passions or dabble in other things as well. Sometimes a career/job helps you achieve that. Also, I want to point out there are career counselor therapists that exist and can help guide you in making a decision you ultimately feel comfortable with. At the end of the day make a choice and apply yourself so you can move forward! Good luck.
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I'm sorry but I'm just going to point this out... do not base your entire career/life decision off of some random person on the internet. Finances are a VERY individual and unique subject. We do not know all of the pieces of that particular SLP's puzzle. I have so many questions: did she already have a crap ton of student loan debt from undergrad? Did she attend an expensive private university or pay out-of-state tuition? Does she have irresponsible spending habits such as never saving a dollar of her monthly income, thus living paycheck to paycheck? Does she live in an expensive luxury apartment in a wealthy neighborhood that she has no business living in? Does she own a luxury car payment that she can't afford? It's very easy to blame a career and not look at how someone got into their particular situation. I'm definitely not trying to victim blame or make assumptions but the list goes on... That's very unfortunate that she had to seek help from a food pantry, but we literally do not know why or how she got into her particular situation.
I've worked in this field for YEARS as an SLPA in the schools and in private practice. I have met and worked side by side with SLPs in the real world that were definitely not struggling like that particular SLP you mentioned. It would be silly and no offense immature to completely change your career aspirations based off of one stranger on the internet. Off of a single Instagram comment. At the end of the day, in MOST cases, obtaining a master degree in any professional field will increase your quality of life substantially and allow you to be financially independent. Everyone should do their own due diligence when deciding what pay they are willing to accept for their particular life and situation. In my state, if you're willing to drive a little further out to a neighboring school district, you can get a $5-7K difference in salary. It just depends on what each individual is willing to sacrifice. There are so many options in this field, so do not let one person's experience on the internet deter you. Also not everyone is aware that you can change your 10 year student loan payment plan to one that is income based. So for all we know she has high student loan debt and is on a shorter payment plan leaving her with no wiggle room to afford her lifestyle. It sounds like that person is probably just in need of some financial advising.
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I applied for Fall 2021 and I am taking the CASper test soon. Does anyone know how long they give to accept/decline admission if it's offered? I'm hoping to have a chance to hear back from all of the programs I applied to before making a decision.
Also, I wanted to add this for anyone considering the ENMU SLP program and searching all over the internet for more info, several weeks ago I reached out to a few current students in the program regarding their experience. This is some info I was able to grab from them:
- The program is very rigorous/time consuming, extremely affordable, heavily research based, and overall a high quality program with great professors.
- Mandatory on campus residency (based off a campus map it seems like everything is within walking distance, still not sure though)
- One student said "be prepared for a research course every semester"
- Another student said "The professors are great, each have their own teaching style. Courses are all well taught. Exams involve a lot of critical thinking so understanding the information is crucial"
- Another student said the quality is great, and that she felt like she was getting a well-rounded education and that ENMU prepares you for a variety of settings, not focused mainly on students becoming school based slp's.
- As for the clinical placements in your area, you create a list of possible placements in your area, and the program will contact/secure the placements for you.
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On 1/22/2021 at 2:46 AM, stressedNunimpressed said:
This is just a word of warning to any applicants to stay away from Chapman University's graduate school program. As a current graduate student of this program, I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this program. The lack of support or basic human empathy from certain members of the administration, lack of opportunities to support career goals, and lack of diversity has made my graduate experience a living hell. I do not have many regrets in life, but I do regret the amount of money (over $10,000 every trimester!!!), effort, time, and stress I have wasted in this program. In essence, please literally go anywhere else.
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29 minutes ago, Covidslp said:
and quit being dramatic.... you probably just dont know how to handle grad school stress.
? How easy is it to sit behind a keyboard and anonymously tear someone down who is clearly overwhelmed and hurting? You must feel so great about yourself, congratulations on being a bully, just what our field needs! Another miserable SLP I see, I've met quite a few like you.
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I appreciate the warning! Not many are willing to speak out about these programs. I know the Council of accreditation takes feedback on programs from students when it is time for them to go through their review. You should look up what your program's date is or even if they accept anonymous complaints on their website. On another note, I'm sorry you are having a hard time with your program, lack of diversity is common in almost all SLP programs. The field is 96% caucasian. It's just something that you have to deal with temporarily, however once you practice in the field or live in certain areas it is easier to be amongst a diverse group of SLPs. As for the lack of opportunities, not to defend the program but with Covid-19 alot of programs are struggling to place students ANY where. I wouldn't stress placements so much as long as you are completing the hours required for graduation. There is always a way later on to get into your niche in this field. If you're willing to move I'm sure you can find a CF in your area of choice. Good luck and hang in there! Getting your degree is all that matters at this point. I would also look into the free services the school provides if you feel unsupported. Also if you have any "out there" interactions with a professor you can report them to the dean. Just because a person holds a certain position that doesn't allow them to get away with mistreating students.
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9 hours ago, KEIM said:
That was my concern too. I didn’t apply to any online programs that would not find my placement. I am currently attending Speech@Emerson and we have clinical coordinators who secure placement for you. I recommend Emerson especially right now when a lot of places (at least in my area) it has been difficult to secure placement due to COVID.
I applied to ENMU and I'm applying to WKU, both online programs. Emerson has been on my radar and I've heard nothing but good things. I really appreciate that they have rolling admissions and seem organized. I haven't submitted an application yet because I can't get over their price!
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Does anyone know if online programs help with securing or finding clinical/externship placements for their grad students? I'm considering applying to some online SLP programs but I am concerned if I will have to cold call 50 places on my own when it comes to the clinical portion of the program. I've heard of situations where some grad students have to temporarily relocate due to not being able to find placements.
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On 11/10/2020 at 7:52 PM, S.of.S said:
Hey all, I'm so conflicted about something that happened with my letters and I'm wondering if anyone has gone through something similar or if they have some words of advice they can give to handle the situation (IF it can even be salvaged).
So I got my three recommenders, 2 of them are academic and one is my supervisor at the school I currently work in. I was assured that they'd all sent in their letters. The last one was submitted two weeks before the admissions deadline for Emerson's 2021 Jan. Cohort.
About two weeks after the deadline closed, I hadn't heard anything so I asked my admissions counselor how things were looking. She called me back a day later to tell me that one of my evaluators had failed to electronically sign his letter, so the review team could not make a decision until that was done! I quickly got in touch with him and he figured it out. The counselor told me that now everything had been recieved.
Its been about a week since then and I've heard nothing else back. I'm not sure what to do, I'm an anxious mess. I guess what I'm wondering is if my chances of getting in were blown by the lack of a signature? It ended up being "fixed" but not until nearly two weeks after the admissions deadline had closed
I suppose the only way to know for sure is to send the admissions counselor another email... but I have this irrational fear that bothering her too much will negatively impact me, which I understand is stupid since she doesn't have anything to do with the final admissions decision, but I can't seem to shake that fear just yet. I'm also worried about how much I can count on this particular evaluator, since I also sent him a request for the CSDCAS portal and he still hasn't responded. It's so surprising because we were quite close during my undergrad and I never imagined he'd be the one I have to stay on top of throughout this process!
So... yeah there's my story and I'm not sure what to do next. I will appreciate anything any of you can offer me. Thanks a bunch ?✌
Well, Emerson College does not use CSDCAS for their online Speech@ Emerson program, I assume that's the online January 2021 cohort you applied to? I am pretty sure if the admissions counselor told you directly that everything was received/fixed in their system that they will still be considering you for their Jan. '21 cohort. Otherwise they would've let you know if it was incomplete and not being considered. If I were you, I'd consider finding another back up recommender for your CSDCAS apps. Deadlines on CSDCAS are more harsh/strict and the last thing you need is this professor submitting their rec late. I would begin gently reminding him 2-3 weeks before your CSDCAS deadlines are due. But yeah overall I don't think you should feel overly anxious about this situation. I wouldn't bother reaching out to the admissions counselor anymore, at this point the school just has to make their decision or they may allow you to resubmit your app for the May 2021 cohort.
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On 11/9/2020 at 9:13 PM, Cece93 said:
Salary also depends on where you live. My friend who’s an SLP in a school in upstate NY makes less than my other friend who lives in downstate NY. An SLP I worked with has a friend in a school district who makes 100k but that’s also downstate NY and probably after many years since the SLP I know is over 50 years old.
Yep, salary always depends on location, years of experience, and speciality (schools/SNF/hospital/private practice/tele-therapy etc.). Regardless of location, it is a common misconception that becoming an SLP means earning a high salary, while it is definitely possible it's not the reality or the norm in our field unfortunately. That's why I advised the OP and anyone looking specifically for a high paying career to understand SLP is a field where you definitely don't enter it for the money or you'll be in for a rude awakening. Across the United States, SLPs working in school districts are typically paid on the teacher pay scale. Here in Central FL, the salary of a school SLP would be around $43K. Down in Miami or rural areas here in FL the salary varies of course which is why it's so important to zero in on the areas you'd want to practice in! Like South FL/Miami pay is higher, but of course the salary has to make sense for the high cost of living in that area.
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Coming from someone who worked as a school SLP (bachelor level- we get a 2 year temp license) you may want to rethink the school SLP thing because we aren't any more respected then teachers are in the public school system. There's a TON of paperwork as someone else mentioned before but it is definitely possible to not bring work home if you have good time management skills. Being creative in school therapy can become exhausting, real therapy in the schools doesn't look like what you see from IG and FB therapists. Cutesy stuff can be fun, but saved for holidays or as a treat to keep kids engaged. I recommend checking out masterclinician.com to watch therapy sessions or contacting a local school district SLP to see if you can shadow for a few hours to ultimately decide if you want to pursue a career in this field. Taking a look at the day to day work may help you make your decision. Also contrary to what Google says, SLPs do not make a ton of money on average... In the schools, SLPs are on the teacher pay scale, so google whatever school district you would possibly work in, check out the "pay schedule" for what teachers with master degrees make and that is what you'll be making as a school SLP. Of course there's private practice and other niches and variety, but ultimately this isn't the career to pick if salary is a big deal for you.
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On 10/31/2020 at 3:25 PM, Liza_Ann_92 said:
Hi! I was able to get a third recommender, my current supervisor who I have a good relationship with. I work at a school as a paraprofessional
I'm so glad you were able to get a third recommender, I had the same issue. Emailed multiple CSD professors and received NO reply. Some of the professors left the university and the others I'm sure either chose to ignore or are swamped due to virtual learning. Thankfully I found a third recommender as well. A grad assistant who is now a professor herself in the field. I hope anyone stumbling across these posts trying to get letters from professors realize that most schools "recommend/prefer" CSD professors but supervisors/employers or anyone considered "above you" should work to fulfill the requirements as well. I honestly think obtaining LOR's from CSD professors is much easier when you're still in undergrad.
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14 hours ago, jnrussell1 said:
Thanks! I'm just undecided and don't know what I want to do as of right now.
If you are undecided that means you need to shadow more. I felt the same way during undergrad and wish I had taken a semester off to consider my options or take a look at other majors. Ultimately I have worked in the field and decided SLP was for me so you could try volunteering in the settings you are interested in to see if it really is what sparks your interest. I will tell you that options are limited with a bachelors in CSD so you should be sure this is what you want before completing. I attempted to find jobs completely unrelated to the field at one point but it was impossible for me. On the other hand with this bachelors degree I have seen classmates go on to PA school, become teachers/sped teachers or go into ABA therapy.
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You should definitely apply to UCF. Your stats are similar to people who have gotten accepted and you have a shot at being admitted in Spring/Summer (they are more lenient with stats during those semesters). I know you don't want to but you should consider taking the GRE again and purchasing Magoosh to get your scores up. Because of your 3.2 GPA you are going to have to offset that with way better GRE scores, at least the minimum combined score of 300 that most schools ask for. If I were you I wouldn't give up so soon, I think a big mistake some people make is that they are simply resubmitting the same application that was denied from previous years. When reapplying you need to look at every aspect of your application and make changes in all areas even if that means new recommenders, restarting your essay from scratch, studying for and retaking the GRE etc. Also I don't think retaking courses is necessary in your situation because you have above a 3.0.
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On 3/27/2019 at 9:40 PM, beemissi said:
Florida has a provision where someone with a CSD Bachelor's Degree can work in the public school as an SLP with a temporary license. The person then has 5 years to obtain a Master's Degree.
Is anyone doing this right now? I'd like to know how much support/supervision you've gotten as a new graduate without the Master's level clinical experiences.I completed my 2 years with the schools in May 2018 with Osceola County. Currently I work as an SLPA at a clinic and the workload is MUCH more manageable and I feel more comfortable in this position with just my bachelors degree. I chose to let my certificate with the schools expire because my school had an intense caseload and I was barely staying afloat with the workload (I did not have sufficient planning time at work because I was in therapy back to back ALL day, my "planning days" were full of unnecessarily long IEP meetings and I would never have a chance to catch up on testing students or writing reports, had to do ALL report writing at home). I don't regret my experience at all because it has made me a better clinician and I feel confident applying to grad school now but I recommend asking the right questions before accepting a position at a school. Ask what the caseload looks like (number of students and types of disabilities you will be working with). Also if you aren't comfortable at a school due to whatever reason simply ask to be moved to a different school for the next school year. Or ask if it is possible to be split part-time at two schools (working with 2 full-time SLP's). I have friends in Orange County and they seem to have lower caseloads and better experiences as bachelor level SLPs so do not be deterred due to my experience. You just need to advocate for yourself.
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Ideally most of us would want our own private apartment, but look into 4x4 style dorms/apartments that are usually available at all universities. You get your private space (bathroom and room) but it is more affordable than taking on your own apartment lease. As for studying, I wouldn't be concerned... you can study in your room/library on campus. Also just because your have roommates or share main area with people does not mean you have to talk to them every day. In the grand scheme of it all sharing space is a small sacrifice to pay while earning your degree. And if you are in some crazy roommate situation there is usually a way to handle that(ask to be moved, schools are equipped to handle these situations).
- LaceySpeechie and Rezzy S.
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On 2/6/2019 at 8:29 AM, BioCook said:
I was wondering how to do that too! It would be cool to be a social media influencer for the field! I’ve seen some IG and Twitter accounts with not too many followers... I wonder if there’s a demand for it?
I think there is a demand for it. If you look up other career related hashtags (#nursingschool, #medschool, #nursingstudent etc.) there are a TON of people on social media posting about their journey/experience and offering tips/advice etc. I personally don't bother following anyone who doesn't post quality images or info that will help me on my personal journey to SLP. I have friends who have speechie instagrams and post therapy ideas or what is going on in their grad programs.
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On 2/6/2019 at 1:33 AM, KEIM said:
I know! How can I become a social media influencer? haha. I attempted to start a youtube for speechies but I just don't know what kind of content to make. It's hard.
Most "social media influencers" just start. Start posting about what is interesting to you or your experience/journey with SLP, use hashtags (#slp2b, #slpgradschool, #slpgradstudent, etc) and post relevant/quality content. I started following social speechie originally because after undergrad I was lost on the application process for gradschool and searched youtube/google/instagram and speech related hashtags and she continuously popped up. And if you don't know what kind of content to make just ask yourself what are things that potential speechies would be searching for (GRE info, CSDCAS and how to navigate ASHA EdFind etc.).
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Yes she dropped out of gradschool but I always refer back to her videos, I wish there were more SLP youtuber/vloggers. She has said that she isn't going to be creating YT videos about SLP anymore and is focusing on her lifestyle/digital planning brand. For her to have dropped out of her program she must be making way more than she would if she continued pursuing SLP.
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I don't have any interest in going for the thesis track because I just want to practice. If you are interested in research you can always go back for a Ph.D.
Uvm SLP 2021
in Speech-Language Pathology Forum
Posted
I'm sure you will hear back very soon, fingers crossed for you! I just heard back on 2/12 that I was admitted to a program with a Jan. 15th deadline. Good luck! Keep us posted.