Posted on Tue, Sep. 29, 2009
For more than 20 years, Lemmietta McNeilly, PhD, helped infants and young children with swallowing and speech disorders as a speech and language pathologist. She founded an academic department and worked in private settings. For the past five years, she’s been chief staff officer of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in Rockville, Md. And she’s passionate about her profession. “Many people don’t realize the breadth and scope of the profession,” she says. In truth, the job goes way beyond helping children in schools learn to speak better, although that’s a noble and important part of the profession for many. “SLPs work in neonatal intensive care units, with people who have had traumatic brain injuries, or those speaking English as a second language or help corporate executives.”
As Many Settings as There Are Jobs
This steadily growing profession has plenty of jobs in schools, hospitals, private clinics, public health departments and other settings. An increase in the elderly population is part of the reason for the job growth, as seniors may have speech, language and swallowing problems. Federal laws have affected enrollment in special education programs and services for many of these students, adding to the need for SLPs in schools.
Intensive Training
This career requires years of schooling and continuing education. To enter the profession, you’ll need a Master’s degree and certification. You also have to pass a national examination. “It has to be something you really want to do,” says Maggie Horan, an SLP with more than 25 years of experience who works with EASi Therapy & Diagnostic Services in Albuquerque, N.M. “But once SLPs have spent the time, effort and money, they hang on,” she says. Horan has worked with many peers who have stayed in their jobs for years and a few who went into the field as a second career. The ASHA Web site provides more details on education requirements and a list of communication science disorder education programs.
Do You Have What It Takes?
Once you stick with the rigorous education, you have to keep learning. “The diversity in this field I love also is somewhat of a drawback,” says Horan. “You can’t keep up with everything.” She says that for school workers, caseloads can get out of hand. In addition to time spent with students or clients, SLPs have to plan and prepare. But for people who are easily bored, this is a great field. “You can work with all populations and move from a rural to urban area and still work as an SLP,” says McNeilly.
Getting Started
If you’re uncertain about becoming an SLP, you could try being an SLP assistant, which requires an associate degree. You won’t evaluate clients, but will work around speech-language pathologists. It might be a step on the ladder toward full education and certification. McNeilly recommends going to talk to faculty at your local school to learn more about becoming an SLP.
Once you get started, you might find a rewarding career that lasts more than 25 years, as it has for McNeilly and Horan. “I love those ‘aha’ moments in therapy when working toward something and they get it and it just flows. They’re excited and so am I, says Horan.”
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