What is your backup plan?

[amf18]

I am currently reading about grad school on here and reddit and stressing myself out about not getting into grad school. I am still going to remain positive and try my best (despite my lower  GPA), but I'm also looking into backup plans, just to be safe. I'm currently working in a school district doing intervention, but that is not a career. I know teaching is an obvious back up but I'm just not sure that's for me.  So what are some of yalls backup plans? Whether it is persuing a second bachelors, a Masters in a different field, or a certificate type program. Just curious! 

[snoves]

My back up plan was substitute teaching or being a paraprofessional. Here in California it's relatively profitable ($160 a day I think, and there's a pretty good demand) and since I already had to take the CBEST for grad school, I figured it'd be fine. If you live somewhere where it's possible SLPA can be a really good career, if not lasting, especially for getting experience for grad school!!! Many of the grad students at my undergrad institution have told me that being a SLPA really prepared them for grad school!

I think ABA therapy is also a good route. If you end up really enjoying it you can go on and get a master's in BCBA if SLP doesn't work out!

I will say that it's good to have backup plans, but don't obsess so much over having back up plans A-Z that you forget that it's possible you'll get in somewhere!! I stressed so much about grad school and researched back up plans for hours on end, and I didn't even need it lol. It's good to be prepared for the worst case scenario but give yourself the benefit of the doubt too!  Best of luck you got this!!!!!

[SavSLP2Be]

In Florida, you can work as an SLT for two years in the school system. That is what I am doing! I am basically doing the same things as the SLP's, I just can't bill or do evaluations, besides re-evals. Also, ABA Therapy is a good route that the person above me suggest. Another good thing would be being a para in ESE classrooms or a substitute!

[amf18]

@snoves Unfortunately where I'm from, SLPAs aren't used or I would so love to do that. I subbed before I got my intervention job, and we only got paid about $60 a day. But I am for sure going to try my hardest for grad school, I'm just interested to see what everyones backup plans are! And thank you, congrats on your acceptances! 

@SavSLP2Be Thats awesome that FL has SLTs! I wish we had it here. I'm from a small area so theres really not many options for me but I'm trying to save to relocate. Thanks for your input!

Edited May 4, 2018 by amf18

[andreadls22]

I didn’t have long term back up plans because my goal was always to be an SLP, so my backups were things to improve my application. I too have a lower gpa but I encourage you to apply to schools that look at students holistically and weigh your experiences heavier than your numbers! (I got into ONE grad school on the first try but that’s all I needed!) 

If you can afford it, look into therapy abroad programs where you’re directly working with SLPs and clients in different settings, that experience looks great! There’s also a programa called “join hope speaks” and they do therapy in Uganda and you can sign up as a volunteer as well!  These programs are just a couple weeks long so you wouldn’t be losing too much work time. 

Also find local SLP clinics and do as much volunteering and observation time that you can and expand to working with different populations/age groups. Every school I’ve ever researched really values that diverse experience. Your work doesn’t have to be directly SLP related so you can do any work with children with disabilities or older adults. Another option is joining one of those programs where you go and teach English abroad for like a year (and are getting paid for it). So you’re still doing something language related, making money, and traveling! 

And finally, I assume you’ll be graduating soon and if you end up taking a year off, check if your university allows volunteers in research labs, that also looks great. 

Anyways, best of luck! Don’t be afraid to hype yourself up in your essays (;

[bibliophile222]

2 hours ago, andreadls22 said:

Also find local SLP clinics and do as much volunteering and observation time that you can and expand to working with different populations/age groups. Every school I’ve ever researched really values that diverse experience.

Yes! Don't forget that although those with high GPA/GRE seem to have it made, a lack of experiences also creates a lopsided client that not every school wants (see my stats below!). An abundance in one area can make up for deficits in another. Don't lose hope, schools definitely care about more than just numbers!

Edited May 5, 2018 by bibliophile222

[amf18]

Thank you so much @andreadls22! That was very helpful and I'll definitely be looking into some of those! I have been contacting several clinics within like a 2 hour drive of me to see about volunteering or even shadowing so I'm hoping to receive some news this week! 

And thank you too @bibliophile222, I'm trying to keep reminding myself if I get my GREs up and get as much experience as I can I have a shot!

[Stephanie022594]

I've decided to go for occupational therapy assistant. The pay is pretty good and you do everything the OT does, but the paperwork and evals. I've worked in aba and decided that dealing with behaviors are not my thing. I would recommend looking into OTA if aba or teaching is not your thing!

[amf18]

@Stephanie022594 Yeah, I've actually been looking into OTA programs (if I don't get in) and it seems like a good option! I know a few OTA's and they make good money with good benefits, and they have the option to do an OTA to OT  bridge program in the future if they want to. It's unfortunate that SLPA's aren't used as much or paid as well as OTA's or PTA's.

Another thing I've been looking into is becoming an Educational Diagnostician.  Which does require teaching for a few years and getting a Master's, but they're involved in getting children with special needs in the classes and settings they need to be in, so at least I would be helping people. 

Edited May 7, 2018 by amf18

[sabrono]

My backup plan was to teach English abroad (S Korea or Thailand) or to volunteer with CityYear! I actually was applying to both of those programs at the same time I applied to grad schools so I wouldn't have to scramble if I didn't get in anywhere. I also really didn't want a long stretch of doing nothing because I know I would drive myself crazy in the spare time. Teaching abroad especially in East Asia is a pretty good back up plan since a lot of the countries over there have amazing packages for incoming teachers. I have a friend who managed to put away almost $10k in savings while she was in Japan for 2 years and her school paid for her flight and housing (furnished!)

[futureSLP2021]

I'm applying for Summer/Fall 2019 but if I don't get in the first time I plan on working as a paraprofessional or in ABA to get more experience before applying again. If nothing works out my backup career in an ASL interpreter because I have a minor in ASL and an ITP program is only a few semesters. 

[amf18]

@futureSLP2021 Minor in ASL, that’s awesome! Good luck on graduate school!

@sabrono Teaching English in another country sounds amazing and I really wish I was someone who could do that. I know myself and traveling alone (especially out of the country/somewhere I’ve never been before) would send my anxiety through the roof.