Speech-Language Pathology

Going into the workforce following a chosen career path can be an exciting journey for college graduates. Many universities offer various degrees for hundreds of majors, but students seem to be declaring the same few majors year after year. College majors such as history or general liberal arts and sciences fail to give students multiple job options after graduation. Nor do they teach them necessary workforce skills. However, a degree in a more specific field, such as speech-language pathology, or psychology is in higher demand and comes with many benefits.

What Do Speech-Language Pathologists Do?

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs or Speech Therapists) specialize in communication. Most people think they just help people who stutter or have a lisp. However, their range of practice is much wider. SLPs work with people of all ages, from infants to adults, diagnosing and treating multiple communication and swallowing disorders. They are well-educated, and they study not only anatomy and physiology, but language development, linguistics, psychology, etc.

Some problems that Speech Therapist work to improve include speech sounds, language, literacy, social communication, voice, and fluency. These problems can be caused by many different factors: stroke, brain injury, autism, developmental delay, hearing loss, etc. Since SLPs treat a variety of conditions in patients of all ages, they can be found at private practices, physicians’ offices, hospitals, schools, colleges and universities, rehabilitation centers, and long-term and residential health care facilities.

Job Outlook

To become a speech language pathologist, you must obtain a masters in speech-language pathology degree, as well as certification in your state. If you attended college and received a bachelor’s degree, getting a master’s degree online may be an easier and cheaper option. This will put you one step closer to your career. Once you have an official license in your state, you can work in the field or age group of your choice. Requirements for certification will vary from state-to-state.

Salaries depend on different factors, such as educational background, experience, work setting, and geographic location. In 2017, the average salary for a speech language pathologist was $79,770. Most SLPs work full time. Some may have to travel between different schools or facilities if they work with students. However, since there is a high demand for the profession, you may find a part-time or an “as needed” position. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “SLPs often work as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team, which may include teachers, physicians, audiologists, psychologists, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, and rehabilitation counselors,” in many employment settings.

Benefits:

Having a career in the field of speech-language pathology is rewarding in a myriad of ways.

• One of the most rewarding aspects is getting to work with, and help, your preferred age group, if you decide you want a more concentrated field of practice. You can help children just developing their speech skills, high schoolers in need of skills to help them transition out of school and into adulthood, or adults who have had strokes or general speech and swallowing issues–or even all three, if you choose! Your patients will challenge and inspire you as you impact their skill development, and you get to see how they continue to grow and develop into successful people.
• Speech Therapist can work within the same field while working in different settings with different types of clients. They don’t often get burned out on their careers. If you start out working with young children and realize you need a different experience, move to a different setting. You can move to the rehabilitation center or university, with relative ease.
• The versatility of this highly-demanded profession allows you to create your own path. Whether it be toward opening your own speech practice in the future. Returning to a university setting to teach or supervise. Or just creating a strong foundation working with diverse people every day. Getting a degree in speech-language pathology is worth it.  Simply for the sense of fulfillment, that people’s lives have been improved by your services!

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