Speech-Language Pathologist 

How did you get your current job?
I was offered an interview with my agency at a the national convention of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association in 2007.

What was the application process?
Submitted resume, phone interview, in person interview.

Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail?
Yes, I was interviewed twice, first in person and then over the phone. I was interviewed individually by a recruiter from my agency.

If you can remember, what questions were you asked during the interview?
What will make you a great speech-language pathologist? What skills will you bring to the table? How well do you collaborate and work with others, in particular with parents of your students? I was asked to describe some experiences I had in graduate school and how I dealt with them.

Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain.
Yes, my agency provides a very supportive environment including various training workshops, a supervisor with whom I have weekly phone-consultations, and also offered a large supply of treatment and evaluation materials free of cost to me.

Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Yes, I got my Master of Science degree from an accredited program at a large private university. Obtaining this degree includes completing coursework as well as several “clinical practicum” experiences in various settings: schools, hospital, outpatient clinic, early intervention. The program was designed to give a taste of each setting so that students could choose intelligently upon graduating where they would like to work. The M.S. program is very challenging and requires significant dedication and hard work – be sure this is really what you want to do before applying.

Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain.
Yes, I feel the graduate program I attended was very comprehensive and prepared me well for this job.

If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare for your job?
Absolutely. Without the internship experience, I would be completely lost at work.

If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
In order to become a speech-language pathologist, you must first obtain a masters degree in the field from an accredited program. However, the job market in this field is excellent, and with an M.A. or M.S., you will likely have several job offers before you even graduate. Speech-Language Pathologists are very much in demand right now.

What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours?
You must have an excellent ability to work with others and a genuine commitment to helping people. As a school-based speech-language pathologist, a desire to work with children and help them succeed is key. It is impossible to do this job without collaborating with other professionals, therefore social skills and interpersonal communication skills are also key. The day-to-day activities can be hectic and overwhelming, so organization and attention to details are also necessary in order to stay on top of all your responsibilities.

Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Yes, you must have a masters degree to practice.

What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Make sure your first job (your clinical fellowship year) offers a very supportive work environment where it is easy to get advice and your supervisor is approachable and helpful. Also, STAY ORGANIZED! If you fall behind in your duties, it is very difficult to catch up without sacrificing an afternoon or weekend of your own time.