Key thoughts to SLP-ing
It only makes sense that the first actual post be about some of the important factors to being an SLP. Included in this post are some tips I feel will be helpful as well as considerations for planning your educational journey. If you’re new to the idea of speech therapy these are some things to consider.
1. Educational Foundations: Building a strong educational foundation is the first step on your SLP journey. Getting a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders or a related field is a good start. But! I’ve often seen individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds enter our field too. If your background isn’t health or speech therapy related, that’s okay! I’ve met SLPs with music, marine biology, and political science backgrounds that have all brought insightful information to the field based on their background knowledge. It is important to know that entering a master’s program for speech therapy might require you to take additional courses if your background and bachelor’s is outside of communication disorders or speech-language pathology prior to starting the actual master’s program.
Following this, you have to pursue a master's degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders from an accredited program. SLP grad programs can be intimidating and competitive. I share my experience with applying to grad school and choosing the ‘right’ program here.
2. Clinical Experience and Practicums: Practical experience so important to becoming a competent and well-rounded speech therapist. Seek out internships and clinical placements in schools, private practices, early intervention, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or other medical settings. These experiences will not only enhance your skills but also provide valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of working in the speech and language bubble. The most important advice I can give you about finding the right clinical placement or practicum is advocating for yourself and your skills! I talk more about that in this post.
3. Clinical Fellowship (CF): What many consider the final step of your educational journey. Within the speech therapy field a clinical fellowship is completed once you have graduated from your master’s program. It is generally a nine month paid position where you work under a certified and licensed SLP.
What feels like isn’t common knowledge is that it is okay to change positions as a CF and you can complete your CF as a part time employee if that works best for you and your lifestyle. I talk more about my experience as a CF and provide further details about clinical fellowships in this post.
4. Licensing and Certification: Ensure you meet the licensing requirements in your state or country to practice as a speech-language pathologist. Additionally, consider obtaining certifications that may be relevant to your personal interests, such as certifications in dysphagia management or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Each state is so different in their license application. For clinical fellowship some states require you to have a temporary license while others don’t. Be sure to do your own research on what is needed for your license. For example in Michigan at this time, after you complete your clinical fellowship you need both your state license and ASHA certification of clinical competence to bill all insurances. Some states also require state education endorsements or licenses (one of the cons to our field is the excessive amount of certification and licensure needed for practicing, I talk about those specifics here). State licensing websites are a good guide and resource for finding these state specific answers. The length of time it takes to be approved for a license can also vary by state so look to other SLPs in your area for additional information.
5. Networking and Professional Development: Connect with professionals in the field by attending conferences, workshops, and networking events. Building a strong professional network can open doors to mentorship opportunities and valuable insights into the nuances of medical-based speech therapy.
Your clinical practicums are also such a great way to build connections and have as resources. I completed a school based practicum with an awesome supervisor who also had significant experience in the medical setting. She gave me so much information and advice about working in that setting that has helped to set me up for success.
6. Tailor Your Resume and Portfolio: The best advice I can give here is to have two separate resumes at the ready; medical and non-medical. Craft one resume and portfolio that highlight your educational achievements, clinical experiences, and any specialized skills or certifications relevant to medical speech therapy. Craft a separate resume to any experience not specific to medical based placements or jobs. This can include skills and certification received from private practices, early intervention, home health, or school-based. Tailoring your application materials specific to the positions you apply for will make you stand out to potential employers and supervisors.
Advice for Aspiring Speech Therapists:
Continuous Learning: Stay curious and committed to continuous learning. Medicine, technology, and therapy are constantly evolving and fast! Learn from others around you and attend continue ed courses to keep information relevant to your setting.
Develop Strong Communication Skills: Effective communication is at the core of speech therapy. Hone your interpersonal skills, not just with patients but also with interdisciplinary teams, healthcare professionals, and families. It’s one thing to know the ins and outs of all things speech and language related. It’s an entirely different beast to understand how to communicate with families, how to be a teacher of the knowledge we possess, and how to be empathetic to a wide range of personal choices and lifestyles we will encounter.
Be Adaptable: Speech therapy is busy work. There are constantly things for us to do, reports to write, patients to see. Medical settings can be especially fast-paced and dynamic within larger hospitals. Cultivate adaptability to navigate different patient cases, treatment modalities, and healthcare and school team dynamics. Be fluid in your decisions and understanding of all perspectives presented to you.
Seek Mentorship: Consider seeking mentorship from experienced speech therapists within a setting you are interested in. Their guidance can offer valuable insights, support, and a roadmap for your professional development. They are a resource to go back to time and time again. As an SLP I love when people come to me for advice and information, even when I don’t have the answer! To be a mentor or a mentoree is to be vulnerable and honest about what you do and don’t know. If gives individuals you supervise access to vulnerability they don’t tend to see during grad school. As a student or CF this makes you present teachable which is so important in our field.
If the information I just gave is overwhelming and intimidating to you, that’s because it can be! When being presented about an entire career that covers such a vast array of disorders and diagnoses, the information presented can be intimidating. I know that once I started my graduate program it became a step-by-step process and a good program helps you navigate the different steps so you can be successful.
Embarking on a new career field or diving into an unfamiliar field of education can indeed feel overwhelming, like standing at the bottom of a mountain. Remember, it's entirely normal to feel a mix of excitement and trepidation in the face of the unknown. Every expert was once a beginner, and your journey is uniquely yours.
Think of this journey as an adventure, with each challenge and discovery molding you into a more resilient and knowledgeable individual. Embrace the learning process, take one step at a time, and know that it's okay not to have all the answers right away.
You're not alone on this journey—many have walked this path before you and are more than willing to offer support and insights. Break down your goals into manageable tasks, celebrate small victories, and trust that with each effort, you're getting closer to your goal.
Remember, growth often happens outside of our comfort zones. Embrace the challenge, be patient with yourself, and recognize that the initial overwhelm will gradually transform into a sense of accomplishment. You've got this, and the learning curve is an essential part of the incredible journey you're on. In time, what seems daunting now will become the foundation of your expertise and success.
