Speech pathology is a gratifying field that gives students a chance to help people. As soon as you’re ready to graduate from your Speech Pathology program, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the big day.
But before you grab that degree, there are things that you should do. This article will guide you through those important things.
Make Sure You Know Exactly What You’re Going to Do after Graduation
Speech pathologists have a wide range of options post-graduation. Some go on to be school-based SLPs, some get more advanced training and work in clinics working with medical professionals, while others may continue to do research or teach.
It’s important that before you graduate, you’ve already decided what type of speech pathology position you want and that you have a good idea of how to get to where you want to be.
Join The Speech Pathology Educators Association (SPEA)!
Through places like Speech Pathology Graduate Programs, you’ll get involved in the profession immediately after earning a speech pathology bachelor’s degree. You don’t have to join right away, but it’s best to plan a bit because joining does take time and money.
But it’s one of the best ways to meet people, gain valuable experience, and learn about new topics.
The Professional Education Association is the largest association for speech pathologists, and many graduates choose to join to stay connected with the profession post-graduation. Joining before graduation also helps you get that start in the field immediately.
Go to the ASHA Convention
Going to the ASHA Convention after your academic coursework is over is one of the most amazing events you can go to. It’s put on by ASHA, or the American Speech and Hearing Association, and happens every fall in a different location each year.
The Convention happens because of student support from around the country, so it’s a great place to be around other students who share your interests. They also give free scholarships for students to attend, so check out their website for more information.
Be Prepared for the Job Search
The job market is tough for any student in any field, and the speech pathologist is no different. The market requires a lot of networking, so make sure that you’re ready to take that first step and start visiting companies.
If you aren’t ready to do it yourself, always have some contacts in the field willing to help out. Approach them with your resume and ask them if they’re interested in speaking with hiring managers at their company about possible opportunities for you.
Don’t Expect to Be an SLP Right Away
The field of speech-language pathology is more competitive than ever, so think about ways for you to get ahead before you even graduate.
There are internships and other types of professional experience that can compensate for your lack of experience post-graduation, so don’t hesitate to use this to your advantage.
If you have any connections or know anyone in the field who works in an institution where there may be an opening, start talking with them about applying for the position before it’s open.
Conclusion
There are so many things to take into account when it comes to acquiring a speech pathology bachelor’s degree, but you’ll be fine once you do. These tips will get you started in the right direction, and your future career as a speech-language pathologist is just around the corner. But first, make sure that you have done these things.
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