Essay: A Career As A Speech-Language Pathologist

Today’s speech pathologists are faced with many challenges. However, the field of speech therapy is unique in that when the speech pathologist overcomes a challenges is more often that not a significant triumph in the patients life. It is of massive importance for speech therapist have the following traits good interpersonal skills, the ability to take another’s perspective and problem solving skills.

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." I can hear one of my grandmother's highly regarded quotes resonating inside my head. Apprehension consumed me when I entered college as an undecided major. Unexpectedly that all changed a few weeks into my first semester. My grandmother had a stroke which ultimately affected her speech and was in dire need of a Speech Pathologist. This is what initially sparked my interest in this field. I was determined on working with the geriatric population because of the experience and attachment I endured with my grandmother. However, the irrefutable fact that this is my passion became evident when I started working as an Assistant Teacher at Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech.

Many people would like to make a difference, not only in their own life, but in others’ lives as well. Deepak Chopra once said, “Everyone has a purpose in life…a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.” All of us, at one point in our lives, have to make the difficult decision of the goals we want to work towards. We all have certain goals, standards, and expectations of ourselves. Not everyone will figure out what they want to be right away, and some will know from the very beginning. My plan for my life is helping others through Speech Language

Upon first entering college, I struggled deciding at such a young age what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Through babysitting and volunteering with pre-school aged children at my church and through a school program called STARS, it became evident to me I had a love for helping children. It fascinated me to see how they viewed the world around them and how quickly they learned new truths everyday. Nevertheless, I knew I would not get the full enjoyment interacting with children as a schoolteacher because the teacher to student ratio is so large. Classroom demands would make it much more difficult to devot individualized attention to each student, and I did not like that concept. So

Language is beautiful and wondrous phenomenon. Not only is it a crucial component in everyday communication, but it also accentuates the culture of those that speak it. As a student pursuing a career in speech-language pathology, the aspects of communication, such as language, are the pillars of my future profession and will be deeply embedded into my daily life. There are many reasons I have chosen this path, but my childhood friend, Jasmine, can be accredited with my finishing decision to become a speech-language pathologist. When I was in elementary school, Jasmine was one of my closest friends, but I did not always get to play with her at recess because she frequently had to see an audiologist, or go to speech therapy. Jasmine had a congenital

From being diagnosed at a young age with dyslexia and apraxia of the speech, I am not sure where I would be without the help and encouragement of my speech pathologists. ‘Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in patients’ (Summary, www.bls.org, 2015). Along with helping their patients overcome or learn how to understand their disorders, speech pathologists must keep records.

“Every time you dream at night, the dream has holes in it. You have to do something to fix those holes and make the dream become a reality,” my father often told me. Although I was very young when my dad passed away, he provided tremendous inspiration and encouragement to pursue my passions that continue to influence my life and my future endeavors. As a child, one of my favorite pastimes was acting; I would routinely act in videos with my friend while my dad filmed us. Later, I assumed responsibility for filming while my friend would act. I instantly fell in love with videography. I was enthralled with how videography could capture my point of view of the world, which prompted me to try photography. Once I began photography, I knew I wanted

My clients have ranged from a full of life 6-year-old with cochlear implants, a wise 13-year-old harboring negative feelings toward his stutter, to an inspirational 64-year-old who was 3 years post-stroke. With such a diverse group of individuals, I quickly learned the influence I had on improving clients'

I am applying to the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree program in Speech-Language Pathology. Throughout my life, I was taught to have a “servant’s heart.” I wanted a career that allowed me to help others. Speech-language pathology will give me this opportunity. I was attracted to the field after speaking with several speech-language pathologists.

“I began learning long ago that those who are the happiest are those who do the most for others.” After reading Booker T. Washington’s words at the beginning of high school, my purpose and future became apparent. My sole desire was to serve others. Washington’s words inspired and directed my career path. I soon discovered speech pathology was a major that connected my passion to help others with my interests, experiences, and goals.

Born in England, I immigrated to the USA in 1975 and joined the US Air Force after Vacaville High School. I finished training at Shepard AFB in the Top 10% of my class, with Honors, and at the time I was the only "Indian Guy" to be a Crew Chief on the B-1 and B-52 Bombers at Ellsworth AFB SD. Additionally, I served 4 years in the US Air Force Reserves, and participated in Operation Desert Shield/Storm. I used the G.I. Bill to graduate from California State University, Fullerton with a Degree in Business. Having a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting, combined with my military experience, I sincerely believe I have the qualifications, discipline, and know how to change careers and become a valuable asset in the health care industry.

Pathology is the study of causes and effects for diseases, which could involve examining tissue samples or interpreting lab tests.

While others claim that photography captures the inner soul of a person, or deliberately defines it as painting or writing with light, but in my case, it is just simply a newfound love hobby. I undeniably adore and look up to expert photographers I encounter down the road may it face-to-face or the other way around. In my heart, I silently desire that someday, with hard work, determination, and perseverance, I will become professional and famous as they are. Since my husband bought a Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) as an anniversary gift, my penchant for photography commenced and ignited. Let me detail the essential truths behind my passion over photography.

Photography has made me realize that not everything is bad. I never really liked things like I do now after I found photography. I kinda feel like after photography I realized when things were good. School seemed almost like a disease but after I took some pictures of it I saw the pretty parts and I didn’t have as much anxiety coming to school. I didn’t even wanna wake up in the morning because I hated it so much.

“Life is like a camera. Focus on what's important. Capture the good times. And if things don't work out, just take another shot.”(Ziad K. Abdelnour) Photography affects us every single day, especially children. Photography affects us because photos are being taken all the time that capture moments in our lives. These moments are captured and remembered because of photography. With the new technological advancements, charities, and programs, children are involved in photography like never before. Cameras affect children positively. It also helps them heal from trauma in their lives and therefore helps children emotionally everyday. Photography in kids lives helps them to be creative, caring, and intelligent people when they grow up.