Comments on: Interview with a Speech Pathologist http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/ Shadow real people's jobs online. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:37:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Jenn http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/comment-page-1/#comment-2979 Jenn Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:26:59 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/#comment-2979 Hey Lori! I'm a Knight too! Would you be interested in answering some of my questions? I'm looking into UCF and USF (so hard for me to say as a Knight). I'm having such a tough time making a concrete decision. It would be great to talk with someone that's been there and done it...esp ecially from UCF! Thanks. jennb06@aol.com if you're interested :) Hey Lori! I’m a Knight too! Would you be interested in answering some of my questions? I’m looking into UCF and USF (so hard for me to say as a Knight). I’m having such a tough time making a concrete decision. It would be great to talk with someone that’s been there and done it…esp ecially from UCF! Thanks.

jennb06@aol.com if you’re interested :)

]]> By: Lori http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/comment-page-1/#comment-2974 Lori Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:13:03 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/#comment-2974 HI! I am in a Florida Speech Pathology program and I did the previous degree thing, too. You can expect no less than 4 semesters of undergrad simply because of class sequencing, in other words, you need this class to take that clas, and that class to take the next class, so on so forth. UCF (go Knights!) offers an opportunity to begin your Masters while in your senior year of Undergrad work though. :) I know U of F (gators) also has a good program. Good Luck! HI! I am in a Florida Speech Pathology program and I did the previous degree thing, too. You can expect no less than 4 semesters of undergrad simply because of class sequencing, in other words, you need this class to take that clas, and that class to take the next class, so on so forth. UCF (go Knights!) offers an opportunity to begin your Masters while in your senior year of Undergrad work though. :) I know U of F (gators) also has a good program.
Good Luck!

]]> By: jacklyn http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/comment-page-1/#comment-2962 jacklyn Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:29:13 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/#comment-2962 Kate- Jenn might know more about this since she is contemplating the same thing as you!! I'm pretty sure that a lot of your core credits will apply toward your undergraduate degree (mine is a bachelor of science in eduation). It will probably be a four year venture for you. Two years years in undergraduate and two years in graduate school. During graduate school you will obtain a LOT of hours in various clinical settings (adults/children, treatment/evaluation). Following graduation---YEA you will complete a 9-12 month clinical fellowship year (more of less depending on the amount of hours you work). You WILL get paid during your CFY; however, it might be at a reduced rate. You will be performing services under the supervision of a licensed SLP. I highly encourage you to get in touch with an academic advisor to ensure that your credits are able to be transfered and they should direct you more appropriately. There are endless job settings for SLPs once you graduate!! That's what I love most about my degree. You can travel, do contract, schools, outpatient clinics, adults, hospitals, children, adults, NICU.....etc!! Good luck everyone!! I hope I have helped....if not, keep the quesitons coming :) Kate-
Jenn might know more about this since she is contemplating the same thing as you!! I’m pretty sure that a lot of your core credits will apply toward your undergraduate degree (mine is a bachelor of science in eduation). It will probably be a four year venture for you. Two years years in undergraduate and two years in graduate school. During graduate school you will obtain a LOT of hours in various clinical settings (adults/children, treatment/evaluation). Following graduation—YEA you will complete a 9-12 month clinical fellowship year (more of less depending on the amount of hours you work). You WILL get paid during your CFY; however, it might be at a reduced rate. You will be performing services under the supervision of a licensed SLP. I highly encourage you to get in touch with an academic advisor to ensure that your credits are able to be transfered and they should direct you more appropriately. There are endless job settings for SLPs once you graduate!! That’s what I love most about my degree. You can travel, do contract, schools, outpatient clinics, adults, hospitals, children, adults, NICU…..etc!! Good luck everyone!! I hope I have helped….if not, keep the quesitons coming :)

]]> By: Jenn http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/comment-page-1/#comment-2959 Jenn Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:51:35 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/#comment-2959 Above, I don't think I considered the CCC which is an additional 9 months working under another SLP but you are technically finished with your schooling. Above, I don’t think I considered the CCC which is an additional 9 months working under another SLP but you are technically finished with your schooling.

]]> By: Jenn http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/comment-page-1/#comment-2958 Jenn Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:38:29 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/#comment-2958 Jacklyn-Thanks for the detailed and very helpful information!! Ryan-great questions, thanks. Kate-I'm in the same boat but with a business major. From the research I started, I think you can take 32-35 credit hours of pre-reqs as a post-baccalaureate student. I'm looking for schools in Florida, I have no idea if this is standard throughout the US, but I think they are the standard courses. There are some online options as well for completing the pre-reqs before being accepted into a Master's program. My plan looks like 1 year of pre-reqs and 2 years in the Master's program...including all of your clinical hours (400). •SPA 3030 Introduction to Hearing Sciences •SPA 3112 Applied Phonetics in Communication Disorders •SPA 3101 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism •SPA 3004 Introduction to Language Development and Disorders •SPA 3011 Introduction to Speech Science •SPA 3310 Introduction to Disorders of Hearing •SPA 4104 Neuroanatomy And I believe standard science and math courses as well for an additional 12 credit hours. I would guess that you can transfer credits from your undergrad for these "basic" courses if you took them (fingers crossed!) Jacklyn-Thanks for the detailed and very helpful information!!

Ryan-great questions, thanks.

Kate-I’m in the same boat but with a business major. From the research I started, I think you can take 32-35 credit hours of pre-reqs as a post-baccalaureate student. I’m looking for schools in Florida, I have no idea if this is standard throughout the US, but I think they are the standard courses. There are some online options as well for completing the pre-reqs before being accepted into a Master’s program. My plan looks like 1 year of pre-reqs and 2 years in the Master’s program…including all of your clinical hours (400).

•SPA 3030 Introduction to Hearing Sciences
•SPA 3112 Applied Phonetics in Communication Disorders
•SPA 3101 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
•SPA 3004 Introduction to Language Development and Disorders
•SPA 3011 Introduction to Speech Science
•SPA 3310 Introduction to Disorders of Hearing
•SPA 4104 Neuroanatomy
And I believe standard science and math courses as well for an additional 12 credit hours. I would guess that you can transfer credits from your undergrad for these “basic” courses if you took them (fingers crossed!)

]]> By: Kate Cremer http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/comment-page-1/#comment-2939 Kate Cremer Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:01:26 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/#comment-2939 Hi Jacklyn, Thank you so much for this info - I have been pondering going back to school/a job change lately, and have been thinking about speech therapy/pathology as something I would enjoy and that would also make me a better salary than I have at my current job. My main question is, what was your undergrad degree in? I have a B.A. in theatre, which obviously has no relevance. I'm wondering if I would need to start all over again and do 4 more years of undergrad and then 2 of grad school, or if I could maybe go right to grad school... or perhaps start again as undergrad but with a good deal of credits transferring. Thanks for your help! Kate Hi Jacklyn,
Thank you so much for this info – I have been pondering going back to school/a job change lately, and have been thinking about speech therapy/pathology as something I would enjoy and that would also make me a better salary than I have at my current job. My main question is, what was your undergrad degree in? I have a B.A. in theatre, which obviously has no relevance. I’m wondering if I would need to start all over again and do 4 more years of undergrad and then 2 of grad school, or if I could maybe go right to grad school… or perhaps start again as undergrad but with a good deal of credits transferring. Thanks for your help!
Kate

]]> By: Jacklyn http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/comment-page-1/#comment-2926 Jacklyn Sun, 29 Jan 2012 03:02:02 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/#comment-2926 You are very welcome Ryan!! Good luck with all of your school! Hang in there!! It will be worth it!!! Stay in touch!! Jacklyn You are very welcome Ryan!! Good luck with all of your school! Hang in there!! It will be worth it!!! Stay in touch!!
Jacklyn

]]> By: Ryan http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/comment-page-1/#comment-2905 Ryan Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:39:33 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/#comment-2905 Thanks, Jacklyn! I appreciate all of the additional insight that you've provided me! I'll post every now and then to let you know how my journey is going! Best wishes! Thanks, Jacklyn! I appreciate all of the additional insight that you’ve provided me! I’ll post every now and then to let you know how my journey is going! Best wishes!

]]> By: jacklyn http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/comment-page-1/#comment-2897 jacklyn Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:51:54 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/#comment-2897 Ryan, I understand your concern with being a male and with race. I actually had an African American male teacher in grad school and worked with another in the hospital. So it can be done :) Kudos to you for looking into reading materials so soon....I'm not sure I did that so early on :) The best articles are from ASHA. I also enjoy ADVANCE magazine. It is free and has some pretty interesting articles as well. I would recommend that you observe a few SLPs in a variety of settings. It might help you direct your focus. I have been a SLP for almost 7 years (including my CFY). I started out in the nursing homes making around 28/hour during my CFY. I never got 40 hours a week though. Most PRN rates are around 50, give or take. You can make anywhere from 40-85,000 depending on your setting and hours. For instance contract pay is higher but you are responsible for insurance and taxes. Not a lot of outpatient clinics have benefits, but the pay might be higher. Most clinics in NWA pay between 40-60 an hour. Depending on your caseload you can make more or less money. Goals??? Hmmm, that's a good one. I co-own a business now with some other therapists so I guess I have achieved one thus far. I would love to be able to do travel therapy again one day. As far as educationally, I want to expand my knowledge about oral motor/feeding and sensory. Speech can be pretty broad sometimes and it's hard to have a firm handle on every aspect!! Hope this helps!! Feel free to continue to ask questions as they arise! Ryan,

I understand your concern with being a male and with race. I actually had an African American male teacher in grad school and worked with another in the hospital. So it can be done :) Kudos to you for looking into reading materials so soon….I’m not sure I did that so early on :) The best articles are from ASHA. I also enjoy ADVANCE magazine. It is free and has some pretty interesting articles as well. I would recommend that you observe a few SLPs in a variety of settings. It might help you direct your focus.

I have been a SLP for almost 7 years (including my CFY). I started out in the nursing homes making around 28/hour during my CFY. I never got 40 hours a week though. Most PRN rates are around 50, give or take. You can make anywhere from 40-85,000 depending on your setting and hours. For instance contract pay is higher but you are responsible for insurance and taxes. Not a lot of outpatient clinics have benefits, but the pay might be higher. Most clinics in NWA pay between 40-60 an hour. Depending on your caseload you can make more or less money.

Goals??? Hmmm, that’s a good one. I co-own a business now with some other therapists so I guess I have achieved one thus far. I would love to be able to do travel therapy again one day. As far as educationally, I want to expand my knowledge about oral motor/feeding and sensory. Speech can be pretty broad sometimes and it’s hard to have a firm handle on every aspect!!

Hope this helps!! Feel free to continue to ask questions as they arise!

]]> By: Ryan http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/comment-page-1/#comment-2888 Ryan Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:15:16 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/interview-with-a-speech-pathologist/#comment-2888 Hello Jacklyn and thank you for your response! You’ve provided me with some great insight into the SLP profession. I really like your advice to “follow my heart and forget about the statistics”. Despite my great interest in the profession, I often ponder the fact that not only am I a male but I am a African-American male. My race honestly should not be a factor and I do not intend to turn my comments into a racial discussion, but I fear the possibility of facing some obstacles in my journey towards becoming a great SLP!!! ? So to take you up on your offer to answer a few more questions about the profession, I’d like to ask you some questions that have come to mind after reading your reply. Are there any reading materials, organizations (such as NSSLHA), or general pointers that you feel would be helpful to anyone interested in becoming a SLP? You also mentioned that you are now working with pediatrics instead of adults/geriatrics, did this change to an outpatient clinic affect your annual income? One of my goals is to earn a decent salary (65k-75k), but I know starting out my salary may be a lower. How long have you been a SLP and what was your starting salary when you entered the profession? Also, do you have any goals that you wish to accomplish in your career? Another one of my goals is to stay in the profession for as long as I can! ? I will most likely finish my undergrad and graduate degrees in about 5 years, so I’ve got plenty of time to do everything I can to prepare for the profession (and hopefully there will still be a strong need for SLP’s). Thanks so much again for your willingness to answer my questions! I apologize if I am long winded, it’s just the excitement I get from thinking about being a SLP! ? Hello Jacklyn and thank you for your response! You’ve provided me with some great insight into the SLP profession. I really like your advice to “follow my heart and forget about the statistics”. Despite my great interest in the profession, I often ponder the fact that not only am I a male but I am a African-American male. My race honestly should not be a factor and I do not intend to turn my comments into a racial discussion, but I fear the possibility of facing some obstacles in my journey towards becoming a great SLP!!! ? So to take you up on your offer to answer a few more questions about the profession, I’d like to ask you some questions that have come to mind after reading your reply. Are there any reading materials, organizations (such as NSSLHA), or general pointers that you feel would be helpful to anyone interested in becoming a SLP? You also mentioned that you are now working with pediatrics instead of adults/geriatrics, did this change to an outpatient clinic affect your annual income? One of my goals is to earn a decent salary (65k-75k), but I know starting out my salary may be a lower. How long have you been a SLP and what was your starting salary when you entered the profession? Also, do you have any goals that you wish to accomplish in your career? Another one of my goals is to stay in the profession for as long as I can! ? I will most likely finish my undergrad and graduate degrees in about 5 years, so I’ve got plenty of time to do everything I can to prepare for the profession (and hopefully there will still be a strong need for SLP’s). Thanks so much again for your willingness to answer my questions! I apologize if I am long winded, it’s just the excitement I get from thinking about being a SLP! ?

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