Speech-Language Pathology as a Career

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
about Speech-Language Pathology
as a career
Caroline Bowen

Since June 1998, when this web site was first posted, thousands of requests for information about speech-language pathology (SLP) as a career have been received. These requests have come from school and college students and people in other occupations or professions investigating a career change. As well, many consumers of SLP services, including parents of children with communication impairments, express interest in becoming SLPs themselves.

The questions below provide a flavour of what people generally want to know about. The questions themselves are interesting and may be of help to members of the profession and others involved in providing information for functions such as school "careers nights", speech pathology weeks, and those preparing brochures and pamphlets about the SLP as a career.

A student interviews Caroline Bowen
about Speech-Language Pathology as a career

Q: Can you direct me to career info?
Dear Dr Bowen, I have been searching the web for speech-language pathology career information, and am overwhelmed by the quantity and variety of information. Can you direct me to career info? I am in New Zealand. Thank you for your site. Kiwi

A: SLP Career Links
Kiwi: Here is a small selection of "starting points". Try to search for information about speech-language pathology (speech-language therapy) in your own country or region, as education, qualifications, and working conditions vary considerably from country to country. New Zealand information is here.

CASLPA Careers Canada
Clinicians who do research
Interview about Speech-Language Pathology
Information About Colleges and Universities USA
Occupational Outlook (USA)
Speech Language Pathologist
Speech-Language Pathologists on the Web
Speech-Language Pathology around the world
Speech Pathology Australia Fact Sheets

Q: Where do I find an SLP program?
Dear Dr Bowen, I am a high school English teacher and I am interested in becoming a speech pathologist. The trouble is, there are no programs available in my country, so I am searching the world for an opportunity to study abroad as a foreign student. My first language is English, and I am fluent in Spanish, French and Hebrew. Can you help me find specialist web sites that outline speech-language pathology / speech therapy programs in all countries? I am grateful for your site which inspires me to pursue this career.

A: Professional Associations
The best place to start seeking information is on the many professional association sites, some of which are listed here.

Q: Where are the major demands?
Q: What is the salary rate?
Hi! I'm planning to take speech-language pathology course and I'd like to know your opinion when it comes to employment demands and salary rate. Thank you. Where are the major demands for SLPs? In schools, hospitals, or anywhere?

A: Demands, salary...
The demands for speech-language pathologists and the salaries they earn vary from country to country, and from one part of a country to another. If you are in the USA here is information about: earnings, working conditions, and market trends. The SLP & Audiology section of the Occupational Outlook Handbook is also a helpful. Canadian information is here.

The following quotation is from usnews.com accessed February 18, 2002.

"Looking for a job that is a sure bet? Well, don't assume that security equals drudgery. Professions in which jobs are projected to be plentiful for years to come are surprisingly diverse and satisfying. They include speech-language pathologists who help kids in school and truck drivers who tinker with onboard laptops...

The demand for speech therapy is anticipated to grow along with rising school enrolments and the burgeoning elderly population. Many schools already face a pressing shortage of bilingual SLPs. Medical advances also ensure that more premature babies and stroke and trauma victims will survive, many of whom are at risk for speech or language problems. And disability laws oblige schools to provide speech-language therapy to kids who need it" .

As well, this article, "Professions on fast track for growth", from the April-June 2002 ASHA Leader makes edifying reading.

Q: Can you tell me as much as possible?
Hi: I want to know as much as possible about speech language pathology as a career. I would appreciate ALL the information you can send. Can you tell me as much as possible?

Hello! My name is ---. I am an undergraduate at --- in the USA. I am a junior, and I am majoring in Communication Disorders and Sciences. Speech-Language Pathology is fairly new to me, and I have many questions. I was hoping you could tell me, in brief, about your own personal experiences. I would like to know about your training, work setting, caseload, typical day at work, impressions of the profession, and were do you think the current directions of the profession is going? I could really benefit from your response.

Hi, I am currently studying to be an elementary teacher, but I am also interested in speech pathology. I'm wondering what types of courses I would need to take and what are some qualities and strengths that you feel make a good speech pathologist. Thanks

Hi, I am a freshman at --- University in the USA and for my CIS class, we were asked to do a research project on our majors. I am a speech pathology major and I have a few questions for you. These may seem silly questions to you, but one of my sources has to be a website professional e-mail message. I would really appreciate any help you could give me. The questions I have for you are: Where are the major demands for speech pathologists? In schools, hospitals, or anywhere? What does it take to be a speech pathologist? What is the importance of speech pathology in the world today?

Dear Dr Bowen, My name is N. I am 14 years old and am looking into being a Speech Pathologist. Last week I took a career aptitude test and one of the jobs in my area was a Speech Pathologist. I was wondering if you could send me any information about what this field involves, hours, earnings, colleges, and anything else you might find and think would be helpful. I will be starting to schedule classes for school next week and was also wondering if there are any classes that would be helpful for me to get the experience I need. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you so much for your time.

A: Information
Here are some articles that answer some of the questions in this section. The first is the Frequently Asked Questions About the Professions on the ASHA site. Look at the article and the links in the right hand side bar on the page. Then there is an article from Andrews University, Michigan, and another one from Luther College, Iowa.

Q: What kinds of classes would help?
Dear Dr Bowen, What kinds of classes would help if I wanted to head towards speech pathology? Where do I find College Prep / Required Electives and CTP information for UNC Universities?

A: Electives and CTP information
Right here!

Q: I am fascinated...can you tell me more?
Hi, my name is ---, and I am a freshman at --- State University. I am so interested in becoming a speech pathologist. I am fascinated by the work that is included in becoming one...can you tell me more? I have spoken to a speech pathologist this summer because I am a musical performer and she gave me info on voice abuse and so on. I am positively sure that I want to be a speech pathologist. I want to help people with voice and speech problems. I was hoping maybe you would be able to give me some insight on how you started your career and the schooling that was involved. Thank you so much for your time. It is greatly appreciated.

A: SLP is fascinating!
There information about the nature of the work that speech-language pathologists undertake in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Q: Schools in my area?
Hi, I'm a high school student in Canada and I'm looking into speech pathology as a future career. There aren't many universities in Canada that offer courses in this domain...I would just like information about what kind of classes would help if I wanted to head towards speech pathology; and I also wanted to know how many years of university it takes to be a certified speech pathologist.

Dear Caroline, I am an 18 year old college student, and I'm interested in going into speech therapy. I was wondering if you could send me some information on job outlook, salaries, and how much schooling I need. I want to into this field because I stutter and I relate a lot to this. I am interested in helping children in this field, and if you could send me some information I would appreciate it. Also, I live in Michigan...If there are schools here that I can go to, I could use that information too!!

I am a student at --- Minnesota and am presently looking to major in speech and communications and a career in speech pathology. I would like to know more about the academic aspects of majoring in speech pathology and anything else that a student might find useful in deciding on this as a career. Thank you for your time and any response is appreciated. Thank you

My name is --- and I am currently completing Year 12 in Victoria, Australia. I am interested in studying speech pathology. Could you give me some useful information, advice, qualities needed and personal insight that may help me in my decision to pursue a career as a speech pathologist?

A: Schools in your area
Academic and clinical preparation varies from school to school, state to state and country to country. Look here for detailed information.

Q: What do you think?
Dear Dr Bowen, I want to into this field because I stutter and I relate a lot to this. What do you think?

A: Tradition of empathy
There is a long and admirable tradition in Speech-Language Pathology of people with communication disorders becoming members of the profession. The Veils of Stuttering site provides insight into this. There is more information about stuttering and its treatment here.

Q: Typical day...?
I would like to know about your work setting, caseload, typical day at work...

A: challenging, satisfying, often surprising
There is information here on this site about where I work and what I do. My typical workday? One of the most satisfying aspects of my job is that I cannot really say that I ever have a "typical" day. My work experience is constantly interesting, challenging and satisfying, and often surprising. No career is going to reflect 100% job satisfaction, and SLP is no exception. This poem by an American speech-language pathologist working in a school setting expresses some of the frustrations experienced by people in her employment sector.

Q: Qualities
What are the qualities needed to be a speech-language pathologist?

A: Competency, commitment and optimism
You are asking someone who is proud to be a speech-language pathologist and proud of her colleagues and the way the profession is developing. The qualities required to be an effective and efficient speech-language pathologist can be summed up in three words: competency, commitment and optimism.

Q: What is the outlook for SLP?
What do you think is the outlook for the profession of speech language pathology?

A: ASHA says...
"The future of the speech-language pathology profession appears excellent. More frequent recognition of problems in preschool and school age children by teachers and parents, combined with the increased numbers of older citizens, and medical advances has created a growing need for speech and language services. There are shortages of qualified personnel in some areas of the country, especially in the inner city, rural and less populated areas. Job opportunities in medically related areas are expected to grow at an above average rate. Although competition for positions in some areas is keen, the potential for private practice and contract work is increasing rapidly." http://www.asha.org/students/professions/overview/slp.htm

See also: "Professions on fast track for growth", from the April-June 2002 ASHA Leader, mentioned above.

Page updated 24 Mar 2010

http://www.speech-language-therapy.com/faqSLPcareer.html