Job possibilities with a degree in SLP

[a.m.20]

As I pursue a career in speech language pathology I am uncertain as to what I want to do once I have a degree. I love the educational aspects of speech, but the science area interests me as well. And then there's researh. I know that i don't really need to know just yet, but it would be helpful to focus my study and clinical expereinces...So what do you think? What interests you, and what have you learned about SLP and this vast field of study?!? There is so much room to grow and change and morph your goals and ambitions. Curious to hear from you all .........

Edited March 6, 2014 by a.m.20

[autismadvocate]

As I pursue a career in speech language pathology I am uncertain as to what I want to do once I have a degree. I love the educational aspects of speech, but the science area interests me as well. And then there's researh. I know that i don't really need to know just yet, but it would be helpful to focus my study and clinical expereinces...So what do you think? What interests you, and what have you learned about SLP and this vast field of study?!? There is so much room to grow and change and morph your goals and ambitions. Curious to hear from you all .........

 

That is actually one of the things I love about the speech path field. There are so many choices! You could work with anyone from a newborn all the way to a centenarian, you could work in a wide range of contexts (hospital, school, own clinic), and you could work on a wide variety of topics (hearing loss, artic, voice, AAC, pragmatics, dysphagia, just to name a few). While the possibilities are not technically endless, they certainly feel like it!

 

I am probably the least useful person to answer the questions about my interests, because the answer's pretty much in my username, lol, but here goes. I want to, obviously, work with people on the autism spectrum. I'm open to adults or children.  There are so many areas I'm excited about. AAC, pragmatics, artic/apraxia (common), and more! So many choices!!!!

[arthritiskid]

I agree with autismadvocate! There are so many different routes! Like right now, I want to work with TBI patients, but after grad school and learning new info, I could have a totally different idea of what I want to do! It seems endless, and I'm sure grad school will help us figure it out  

[SLPamy]

I keep going back and forth too! That's what is so exciting about this field. I would recommend shadowing SLPs in different settings/working with different populations. That might give you some more insight, as well.

[lgwslp]

I want to work with dysphagia/swallowing patients - unsure about whether i want to work with adults (with dementia, cva's, TBI, etc.) or with infants or neonatal. I am fascinated by the Brain (just bought a big brain poster for my room actually )!!! Traumatic brain injury is so interesting and fascinating as well, and i'd love to research it, along with strokes. Really any injury stemming from the brain. I love modified barium swallow studies, and scopes, etc. the swallow is neat, and I love to eat, so what better way than to help others enjoy that same luxury! 

[lgwslp]

Definitely shadow in different areas, it will help you get a feel. Talk to lots of SLP's and see if they like what they do, or what setting they prefer, and WHY!

[Samrah]

hey every one, i really need help, i am currently doing  BA in special education. The thing is that i want to complete my masters in speech language pathology and here ( karachi,PAKISTAN) the programs they offer are MA in speech language pathology, so should i go for it? because i've heard that doing MS is better than doing MA in SLP where will i get job after doing MA in SLP? 

[Arcanelady27]

hey every one, i really need help, i am currently doing  BA in special education. The thing is that i want to complete my masters in speech language pathology and here ( karachi,PAKISTAN) the programs they offer are MA in speech language pathology, so should i go for it? because i've heard that doing MS is better than doing MA in SLP where will i get job after doing MA in SLP? 

Samrah, 

 

It really does not matter whether you do an MA or an MS in SLP. Both will give you the tools needed to find a job and you will find work with either. Someone mentioned in another post elsewhere that they do not even know which any of the SLPs they work with received for their Masters. 

[goingtobeslp13]

hey every one, i really need help, i am currently doing  BA in special education. The thing is that i want to complete my masters in speech language pathology and here ( karachi,PAKISTAN) the programs they offer are MA in speech language pathology, so should i go for it? because i've heard that doing MS is better than doing MA in SLP where will i get job after doing MA in SLP? 

 

I will be getting an MA versus an MS. It really doesn't matter, they're about evenly distributed. Someone said on another thread here that they think it depends largely where in the university the program is located. Mine is under the arts and humanities umbrella, so therefore MA.

[Samrah]

Really? Thankyou so much that just made my day

Edited April 19, 2014 by Samrah

[Samrah]

And oh one more thing! As I'm doing my bachelors in special education and  planning to continue my masters in SLP so will i have to pass some extra courses in order to meet the requirements? 

[BiancaNicole21]

I had no idea what I wanted to do. I still am not completely sure. I switched my major from Psychology to Social Work to Communication Disorders! In that time, I shadowed different settings and volunteered a lot. I've been in a hospital, preschool, elementary school, high school, private practice, foster homes, etc.

In doing so, I realized how much I love Response to intervention and Emergent Literacy. Both are paramount to a child's future success. If professionals can catch and treat a potential problem ASAP, the child has a greater chance of developing typically. I also saw that in every setting with a child, the teachers and caregivers told me that the children who struggle most are the ones who did not have a solid foundation in reading, spelling, and language.

 

Literacy is such a problem and it can be easily remedied with therapy in most cases. It is an important aspect of EVERY part of life.

Try shadowing! Also, different courses made me realize what I LOVE (kids, literacy, and special needs) and what I did not have a passion for (cleft palate, dementia). The more experience the better!

[Meen521]

Hey everyone! I've been reading a lot about SLP, and was wondering if you get to CHOOSE what setting you want to work in as a speech pathologist? For example, if I don't want to work in a hospital, can I choose to work in a school? Thanks!

[lookwhoslp]

Once you're a clinician you can always dabble in those other places like doing advocacy or educating the community, or being a clinical supervisor for a university (some even allow those with a MS to teach a class if you specialize), or do some research on the side by yourself or in a hospital/university/ veteran affairs setting. Then later you can decide to get a PhD if you find you like the research/professor stuff more. But at least you can dabble in these things while you are working