Why I Want To Be A Speech Pathologist

As a young child, I was always drawn towards the field of health care. I remember reading about the many options that are held within it and wondering what path it would lead me on. Neonatal nursing was something that always came into my mind, but it was often pushed to the side by people and teachers who thought I should become a pediatrician instead. This became a real struggle for me, but as I grew up and began researching and exploring the health care field I came to a decision for myself. I came to the realization that everyone was wrong. I didn’t want to be a doctor at all. This sudden burst of independence from what everyone else wanted was the first step to reaching my end goal. Along with this, an accelerated education, volunteer

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.

During my interview with Speech Pathologist, Deborah Kirsch, I learned countless details about the Speech Pathology career field. When we first began talking, I learned that Mrs. Kirsch works out of a company called “Professional Therapy Services”, where she is contracted out to work for “Eunice Smith Nursing Home” which is located in Alton, Illinois. She has been working at this facility for about a year. She is a newly found graduate from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and she graduated in May 2011. Another thing that I learned about Mrs. Kirsch is that she originally did not go to school to become a speech pathologist, this was a career that she found later in life. After she had graduated from SIUE, the first time with a bachelors in Psychiatry, she started working at a nursing home around this area. She came to know a Speech Pathologist that worked there and she quickly found the field very fascinating. She had always been driven to help others, and she witnessed some of the exercises being done with individuals at the nursing home and decided to go back to school to get her masters in Speech Pathology.

"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.

I could see myself working in a hospital or in a clinic. But I could also see myself working at a school. So my goal is to take every opportunity and experience the most out of my career as a speech pathologist. Recently I have become infatuated with TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas and what they did with Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. I have read many articles on the events that took place during her rehabilitation and it has inspired me greatly. One day, I would like to work at one of the TIRR Memorial Hermann outpatient rehabilitation centers. A distant relative of mine had a stroke several years ago also and went to TIRR for rehabilitation therapy. His recovery was tremendous and I know there are several other stories like his and Gabrielle Giffords’s. If I could be a part of the great work they are doing, I would be exposed to a population that is diverse with a wide range of communication

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

I know I can be a great assistant, but that is not what I want for myself, I want to be a Speech Pathologist working in a hospital and helping people with traumatic brain injuries. This is a long-term goal that I’m willing to spend years reaching, because if given the opportunity to work with this population, I will get to blend not only my general knowledge, but also my love of science and desire to help others. I have had no experience with disabled people, and being in this undergrad program is my first- hand look at seeing what it’s like for those with disabilities to struggle daily and have frustrations I can’t even begin to imagine. This genuinely gives me a whole-hearted desire to help others and give them the assistance they need to live like everyone else, something I never truly had a passion for until

I put my best effort into everything that I do because I believe that a person’s work reflects who they are as an individual, thus, I strive to ensure that my work is a true representation of who I am. The challenges and obstacles that I have endured and overcome have helped build my character of being a resilient individual that is willing to do whatever it takes to pursue my dreams. I can honestly say adversity transformed me into the strong-minded person I am today. I do not take anything for granted because I know what it feels like to not have much. I do everything with a purpose and the desire to make a better life for myself so I work hard to achieve all of my goals. I want to be a speech pathologist that delivers and promotes the highest professional standards in a variety of clinical educational settings across a culturally and linguistically diverse client population. Ultimately, I know that if given the chance to obtain a Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of West Georgia, I am confident in my ability to be a devoted student who is eager and willing to learn how to work closely with faculty and staff to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively assess a patient and be a remarkable speech

My plans are to give back to my community by working as an occupational therapist at our local hospital, the Fairfax Community Hospital. My strengths are definitely housed in my communication skills, and I love being an aid to others. This career will fulfill my desire to encouragingly help individuals gain independence. One day when there was no school I spent my day job shadowing the occupational therapist at the Community Hospital in Fairfax. My interest of becoming an occupational therapist came from my mom. My mother is a nurse at the Family Medical Center in Rock Port, Missouri. My interest has never been medical, but my mother suggested this career for me because of my personality. Being an aid to others is my dream career. Helping one

As I have progressed through my college career I believe I continue to develop certain skills which will aid in excelling as a Speech-Language Pathologists; such as organization, problem solving and the love of learning. As an SLP, one needs to posses organization skills due to the large volume of case loads per Speech Therapist. With so many clients assigned to one SLP, organization is the best way to stay on top of the paperwork, being prepared for therapy sessions/IEP meetings and collaboration. Problem solving is a crucial skill and may be the core of what a SLP does; all clients will be a puzzle piece which we are responsible for figuring out what the problem is and the best possible route to take to help. Also, I have developed the love

My future education goal is to major in Communication Sciences and Disorders and attend graduate school to become a Speech Language Pathologist. I also plan to travel throughout college and learn more about different cultures. Through the various short term abroad mission trips and local volunteering at the Place of Hope, I have discovered that education happens inside and outside of a classroom. Throughout my time in college, I hope to study abroad and continue to learn more about other cultures and the world that is around me. I believe that those who travel have a better grasp about what goes on in our world. By being more aware about the world, it creates a more grateful attitude and the desire for equality.

My purpose in entering the program is to not only fulfil my dreams and purpose in life, but more importantly, it is to help as many individuals as possible with speech-language and swallowing disorders. I want to be a part of making a difference in those with communication disorders and be able to help them reach their fullest potential. My involvement as a student, a tutor, volunteer, an observer, and a SLPA has not only confirmed my love for a career in speech pathology, but it has also provided me with essential information. I intend to provide superb and effective strategies to those who suffer from communications disorders. I plan on extending my help not just to my patients, but also to the less fortunate that are unable to pay for such services. My passion for this major and my ambitions motivate me to become a successful and effective speech pathologist. I aim on guiding individuals with an invigorating view to improve and further develop socially and academically.

Throughout high school, I was never too sure about what I wanted my future to look like. I knew that I wanted to go to college and that I had always hoped to have the opportunity to study at West Virginia University, but I had no idea what I was going to major in. This year I was chosen to take a class called Eagle’s Nest at my school. In this class we learn about the importance of service and, a large portion of the class involves going to interact with grade school children. In the class room I am assigned to, there are five out of the nine-teen students who have speech impediments; some being more severe than others. In working with these children, I saw that I have a strong desire to work with children and people needing speech therapy.

Retrospectively, I realize pathology has long been an interest of mine. My medical career began ten years ago, as a veterinary technician, and thus the beginnings of my interest in pathology. I frequently found myself analyzing blood chemistries, complete blood counts, ear smears, and urinalyses and very much enjoying this work. Over time, my curiosity evolved. I began taking a greater interest in reading blood smears and fine needle aspirates, leading to an insistence that the veterinarians explain what they were seeing. At the time, I was completely unaware that my interest in pathology would eventually lead me down an entirely different career path.

One experience that has shaped me as a person is my specific learning disability. This disability was diagnosed when I was a child in early elementary school. Due to this, I was unable to learn information at the same rate compared to a normal person. As a result, I was held back a year in my elementary years. Over time I’ve adapted to it with the help of the school’s faculty special needs area and taking more time in independent studies to keep up with others. During that time, I became more aware of others’ situations that hindered their lives and some that may have even impacted them greatly. What I want to do is attain an education to help those who needed support like I did with my disability just as my teachers did for me. My special need teachers took the time with me to accomplish what may be frivolous to most but was important to me. Therefore, I chose this path of the medical profession, here I believe I can do the most for people physically, mentally, and spiritually. Others may be conflicting with their own curse and could use some support along with guidance to cope with it. Perhaps it may give them a revelation that it’s a gift as well like I have done.