Interview Project With A Speech Pathologist

Speech Interview: In the pursuit of exploring the world of speech pathology and the journey of an enthusiastic speech pathologist, I had the privilege of interviewing Malorie Perez. With a deep passion for helping others, especially children, Malorie’s career as a speech pathologist has been incredibly fulfilling. Her expertise and experiences shed light on her chosen path and the rewards and challenges that come with it. I wanted advice from someone who has gone through the process of becoming a speech pathologist relatively recently. ——————————————–Start of Interview———————————————- Me: Thank you so much, Malorie, for taking the time to do this interview. I’m excited to learn more about your journey and experiences as a speech pathologist. Let’s start with your undergraduate major. What did you major in during your undergrad, and how was that helpful for your graduate school? Malorie Perez: Hi! I majored in communication sciences and disorders during my undergrad, and it was incredibly helpful for my graduate school journey. Having that foundation in communication sciences and disorders gave me a solid base for learning and understanding the concepts and principles of my speech pathologist career. Me: That seems to be an excellent match for your future career. Were there any big problems you had throughout your studies that caused you to reconsider what you wanted to study? Malorie Perez: I didn’t meet any significant problems that caused me to reconsider my career path. During my education, though, I became fascinated with audiology and considered pursuing that path. It made me think about alternative options, but ultimately, my enthusiasm for helping others, particularly children, and my love of this career prompted me to continue on track to become a speech pathologist. 3 Me: It’s intriguing how your interest in audiology made you consider other choices briefly. So, what eventually influenced your decision to become a speech pathologist, and how did your passion for working with children affect your final career decision? Malorie Perez: Since helping people and working with children are two of my hobbies, I chose to become a speech pathologist. I’ve always had a natural love for kids, so aiding them to communicate better and overcoming speech and language barriers was quite rewarding. Simply said, it felt like the best fit for me. Me: It’s wonderful that your job path aligns with your interests and pastimes. Do you have any expectations regarding a profession in speech pathology that have not, either favorably or adversely, been satisfied in your time as one? Malorie Perez: Yes, there have been some differences between my expectations and reality. On the positive side, helping kids and seeing them progress in their communication skills is incredibly fulfilling. It’s heartwarming to witness their growth and development. On the difficult side, though, I realized there might not be as much space for financial development as I had thought. Although the workload and duties may be extremely heavy, the pay may not always be commensurate with the labor and commitment required. Me: We appreciate you sharing your career’s rewarding and difficult elements. What abilities do you believe are most important for speech pathologists to possess in order to have a successful career? Malorie Perez: Especially if you want to work in pediatrics, developing a true connection with children is one of the most crucial abilities. For both the kid and the speech pathologist, the therapy process may be more successful and pleasurable if you can establish a connection and connect with them on a personal level. 4 Another crucial skill is strong communication and interpersonal abilities. As speech pathologists, we work closely with our clients and their families, so effective communication is essential in providing the best care possible. Me: Those are valuable skills for anyone considering a career in speech pathology. Lastly, what advice would you give to someone looking to study this career and follow a similar path as yours? Malorie Perez: My best advice would be to shadow and work as an assistant in the field before entering grad school. Real-life experience before grad school can be incredibly beneficial. It prepares you for your classes and clinical and allows you to see if this is truly the career path you want to pursue and further make greater advances in. It’s a great way to gain insight into the profession and ensure it aligns with your interests and aspirations. Me: That’s excellent advice! It’s essential to have hands-on experience and a clear understanding of the career path you’re embarking on. Thank you so much, Malorie, for sharing your journey and insights into the world of speech pathology. It’s been a pleasure to interview you, and I’m sure your experiences will inspire others looking to enter this rewarding field. Malorie Perez: Thank you for having me! I hope my experiences can be helpful to others considering a career in speech pathology. If anyone has any questions or needs guidance, I’m always here to help! ———————————————End of Interview———————————————- During my academic journey and through the insightful interview with Malorie Perez, a speech pathologist, I have gained valuable knowledge and a deeper understanding of various career paths related to psychology. The course and the interview have been essential towards developing my fresh perspective on the profession, prompting me to reevaluate my 5 career goals and open myself up to other paths that now look more attractive, considering the skills and values I believe in. Evolution of Career Plans Before taking this course and conducting the interview, I was primarily focused on pursuing a career in clinical psychology. While I had a strong passion for understanding human behavior and helping individuals cope with psychological challenges, my knowledge was limited to this particular branch of psychology. However, after engaging in the course content and learning from Malorie’s experience as a speech pathologist, I realized that psychology offers diverse career opportunities. New Careers Related to Psychology The conversation with Malorie introduced me to speech pathology, which integrates psychology and communication studies to help people with trouble speaking understand what they are saying. Since I had never thought about taking this professional route before, this surprised me. I also learned about several additional psychology jobs, like counseling, forensic, industrial, and school psychology, each with specializations and applications in various contexts. School psychology appeals to me because it focuses on assisting kids and teenagers in achieving academic and emotional success. I find forensic psychology fascinating because it includes the meeting of psychology and the legal system, which greatly affects how justice is administered. Industrial-organizational psychology’s focus on optimizing workplace productivity and employee well-being aligns with my interest in promoting positive work environments. Lastly, counseling psychology resonates with me as it provides an opportunity to offer therapeutic support to individuals facing various life challenges. Experiences to Meet Career Goals 6 To explore these diverse career options in psychology, I plan to seek out various experiences that align with each field’s unique requirements. Considering the professional requirements, I will adopt available internships and volunteering sessions that would be crucial for gaining hands-on experience in clinical settings, schools, legal institutions, and workplaces. This exposure will be pivotal to better understanding the roles and responsibilities of different psychology careers and help me assess which path aligns best with my skills, interests, and values. Furthermore, I aim to network with professionals in various psychology domains to gain valuable insights into their experiences and career trajectories. This will provide me with mentorship and guidance on the steps to pursue specific careers and the skills needed to succeed in each field. Areas Requiring Further Information While I have comprehensively understood various psychology careers, specific areas still require further information and research. One of the main areas of concern is the academic and professional qualifications needed for each career. I need to explore the educational pathways, certifications, and licensing requirements associated with school psychology, forensic psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, and counseling psychology. Understanding these fields’ potential job opportunities, growth prospects, and salary ranges is essential for making informed career decisions. This information will help me align my career aspirations with my personal and financial goals. Conclusion In conclusion, my career plans have significantly evolved after taking this course and conducting the interview with Malorie Perez. I have been introduced to new career 7 possibilities in psychology, such as speech pathology, and have broadened my perspective on the field’s diverse applications. I have in place a well-laid plan that shall facilitate seeking the experiences that will be beneficial in aiding my exploration of these career paths and gaining valuable insights considering the roles and responsibilities of professionals in each of the required domains. Notably, I call it just the beginning; I am excited about the future openings and possibilities in psychology and eager to pursue a career that allows me to impact individuals’ lives and create a much-needed difference positively. By continuing my research and engaging in networking opportunities, I am confident I will make informed decisions and forge a successful path forward.