5 Reasons Why I Became a SLP

I love my job and I love the reward it brings every day knowing that I was able to help someone. I frequently get asked by prospective students why I chose to become an SLP and here is what I often say. 

1. I knew I wanted to choose a career that would allow me to work with people on a one-to-one basis. I wanted a career that would allow me to make an impact in the lives of people every day whether that meant helping my client say his/her first word for the first time, helping him/her be able to find his/her voice with a new communication system, or helping a parent find the right resources or teach him/her how to enhance their child’s language skills at home.
2.  I also wanted a career that was challenging and would push me to think critically or outside the box but most importantly, I wanted a career that would allow me to share my knowledge with others. 
3. I love the idea that I will be a “forever student” because the field of speech language pathology is enormous and every day you learn something new; I love school and I love the idea that I could go back whenever I want to in order to push myself to be better.
4. I love the fact that my career can come with a change in scenery. As I had mentioned, the field of speech language pathology is so vast! You have the option of working in a variety of settings (clinic, school, hospital, home health, etc.) If my availability ever changes for whatever the circumstance may be, I know that I have options. 
5. Most importantly, I knew I wanted to really make a difference in the Latino community and work with diverse clients. The need for bilingual health care providers is so great! We need bilingual providers who are compassionate, understand the culture and advocate for those who may not necessarily have all the resources necessary to pull through; I wanted to help and that is what I am doing. I know I am where I was meant to be. I couldn’t ask for a better career than being a bilingual speech language pathologist.