Work Experience Before SLP

[dcslp]

I wanted to post this thread here because I was wondering if I could get advice on gaining experience before becoming an SLP. I am currently an out of field applicant hoping to start a post bacc program in the fall for speech. I want to start gaining experience that can benefit me in the long run whether thats in my application for masters programs or just in general as an SLP. Or also if maybe you guys could share your job experience you had while you were receiving a bachelors in comm disorders or what you did job wise? 

[Louly]

I worked at a rehabilitation office doing clerical work. Prior to that, I was a chiropractor assistant and office assistant. On the side, I volunteered as an augmentative and alternative device assistant at another rehabilitation clinic. 

[Elska]

I currently work at a special needs preschool as an aide. It's a wonderful way to get connected to school SLPs. It also enabled me to do a lot of SLP observations since part of my job is to assist the SLP during group speech and sometimes during individual sessions. 

[Crimson Wife]

Some ideas aside from those previously mentioned:

-behavioral interventionist at an Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy clinic

-Lindamood-Bell tutor

-Newborn Hearing screener

-Clinical Nurse Assistant (requires ~10 weeks of training) and then working at a SNF or for a home health agency. This would be a good route if you're interested in medical SLP.

 

[speechstudent300]

I would look into a rehabilitation technician/aide in an SNF. This would entail being an assistant to speech, occupational, and physical therapists. I worked for 9 months in this position and learned something new everyday! 

[WannabSLP124]

If you're interested in working with kids, some people already posted a lot of great thing. The only thing I didn't see was a respite or a habilitation worker. Respite provides breaks for parents of children with special needs. Basically a babysitter. A habilitation worker will do the same but also provide assistance with life skills. They have goals that you must work on such as dressing themselves. They can vary based on the child's age and level of functioning. 

If you are interested working with adults I'm not sure what there is do give you paid direct experience. As in not a receptionist - but if you have time to volunteer, I would look into stroke/aphasia recovery centers. 

[AlwaysaFalcon]

I volunteered with an integrated preschool while working a job unrelated to the field. I was able to observe an slp which was a good refresher and also get a chance to work with kids. Super fun!

[csta16]

Hi! I worked as a direct-support professional (DSP) at a group home for autistic teens. For two years, I've been working as a teacher's assistant at a special needs high-school.

[amvat]

Hi, I've been working as a Registered Behavior Technician aka ABA therapist for an in-home autism program for 2 and a half years. I gained a lot of experience in doing therapy and dealing with aggressive behaviors (which is going to be useful for you when you do therapy in grad school). 

[PlieThenRose]

I'm currently a rehab tech at a hospital (they also have a tech position at the outpatient clinic). I assist PT, OT, and SLPs. I've learned so much. I'm lucky because the SLPs know my interest and take time to teach me what they look for after the video swallows are done, etc. 

I'm also applying to be a teachers aide in a special ed school to gain more hands on experience..plus, I believe that's the population I really want. 

I started volunteering at a hospital and helping an SLP at a pediatric clinic before getting the hospital job. Any sort of experience in different populations will be great for an application!

good luck!!

[devonbmartin]

I'm not in grad school but I just got accepted into a post bacc program that starts in September. As far as work, I was a nanny for special needs children for about 5 years and then in the last year and half I've been working for a pediatric speech, OT and PT clinic as a first as a receptionist and now I am a billing representative.

I really enjoy working here because even though I am not on the therapy side of things I am able to interact with the SLPs and have really used them as a resource. They are all so encouraging and supportive.

Good luck with your journey!

[panda1991]

I worked as a paraeducator in a school setting and later found a job as an ABA therapist. I highly prefer the ABA position I have now because I have the opportunity to target communication and behavior goals during sessions, written by the behavior analyst, that are more similar to a what speech therapist might work on. My company allows us to work in schools and/or in homes working with different kids, which is extremely useful because you get to learn about working with different ages, personalities, and spectrums of autism. It's also a really fun position, but can also be stressful. I recommend getting experience or shadowing with different settings like schools, hospitals, or private practices to see what you might be interested in. Most of my classmates went on to work in the same positions I did and a few also went the SLPA route. 

Edited May 5, 2017 by panda1991

[SpeechLaedy]

I've been working at a special education school (birth - 12 yrs) and started as a floater teacher's aide. Got to go into the gen ed rooms as well. I saw every single disorder/delay in that entire school in one year and got so much exposure to all the different team members associated with the children's development. We have goal meetings, talk to parents, and also have opportunities to volunteer at events (relays, donations/drives, fundraisers/fashion shows) which you may be able to add to your resume as well.

 

I'm now a permanent teacher's assistant there in an ABA preschool 8-1-3 classroom with children on the spectrum. I love it because I can actually make special connections with the children and see their progression (and regression) in action. I am now able to voice my ideas on what I think we can try as a team to help certain children in the classroom, etc. It's definitely differs from floating, but I loved both. So if you have the opportunity to do something like that and you're interested in working with children or trying it out, it could be a great (and also challenging) experience. 

 

There are 10+ SLPs at my job so I also made sure to observe many of their sessions and keep in contact with them. One of them wrote me a recommendation letter for grad school. So keep that in mind as well! Make as many connections as you can wherever you go. Networking is such a powerful and useful tool ???? All the best! 

Edited May 6, 2017 by SpeechLaedy