SLP+Essay

 The career of a speech language pathologist can be a challenging, but rewarding one. I have seen first-hand while observing that when working with clients you will face challenges, but once you overcome the problem there is a joyful reward in knowing that your help is very beneficial to the client. While in my block one of my speech language pathology classes I have learned that it takes a certain type of person to succeed in this profession. I believe that I possess the qualities the profession calls for, but I am still in need of the knowledge to one day become a speech language pathologist. During the beginning of the curriculum for speech language pathology I have learned some essential information. First, in my experience in talking with people there are many who are unaware of this profession and the profession may be underestimated by th o se people who are not knowledgeable of it. Secondly, it is a scientific-based profession and there is so much more to speech language pathology than I was aware of. Lastly, since speech language pathology helps people better their ways of life by assisting them, it is a profession that can bring a smile to the face and happiness to the heart. Unfortunately, if you asked me a year ago what I thought speech language pathology was, you would have been able to classify me as one of those people who had no idea of the profession. I remained unaware of it until I needed to declare a major. I was introduced to speech language pathology through friends, they knew I wanted to find a career helped people and suggested that I look into it. When I finally declared speech language pathology as my major, I had an idea of what the profession was about until I attended my classes, and it hit me that this was much more than I had thought. The main reason I declared speech language pathology as a major was because I wanted to be in a profession that helped people. I believe some of the best qualities I possess are my care and compassion for people, and in turn I get satisfaction and happiness knowing that I am making someone’s day better by lending a helping hand to those in need. While in my classes I learned that speech language pathology was all about helping people and bettering their ways of life. It was then that I knew that this profession not only helps people, but it also has the ability to impact people’s everyday lives. I knew that if I wanted to be in a profession that helped people then I had made a great decision. Throughout this past year I have observed and experienced how gratifying this profession can be. This past year I had a wonderful experience that gave a glimpse of how this profession can touch so many people. During Thanksgiving break I was driving home from visiting a friend in Birmingham, AL. On the way home I had to stop for gas and use the restroom. While waiting in line there was a lady in front of me, I asked her “are you in line for the restroom?” After no response I asked again, and again no response, that is when I assumed she was deaf. Shortly after another lady came out of the restroom and said, “be careful the door does not lock.” I watched the two women walk away and turn a corner signing to one another. I immediately thought the lady in the restroom was a speech language pathologist since she had spoken to me and was signing to the other lady. At the register I tried to talk to the woman that was in the restroom. When I approached her and asked, “are you a speech language pathologist?” She replied in American Sign Language (ASL) and said, “I am sorry I cannot hear you I am deaf.” It was like an immediate reaction and all the sudden my knowledge from my manual communication class kicked in, and I replied in ASL, “Sorry.” The women’s face showed great animation and she began asking me questions on where I had learned American Sign Language (ASL). I signed to her that I had been taking classes at my university. We chatted briefly, and then parted ways. Once I got to my car I sat there for a moment and thought about how excited the women had been when she saw that I knew American Sign Language. I suppose that most of the hearing impaired do not expect many people to know ASL outside of the deaf community, and she seemed thrilled to meet me and know that I was learning American Sign Language. The experience had also brightened my day to know that all this knowledge I am obtaining will be useful not only to me in the future, but in everyday life. Throughout observations I have been able to see just how helpful this profession can be to all people, but specifically children. Part of growing up and being human is being able to express what you feel and learn. After observing in the clinic I understand how important it is for young children to be able to effectively communicate. It is wonderful to be able to watch the clients improve with help from people within this profession. It is not only a wonderful achievement for the client to overcome challenges, but also for the clinician which is why this career can be very heartwarming. If there is one solid piece of information about speech language pathology, it is that it has the potential to greatly impact a person’s life through helping them to better communicate. The most important reason I chose speech language pathology is because it is a career that I can assist people in, and see how that assistance can have a positive impact on a person. I know that I possess the personal qualities that this profession calls for, and with help from my professors I will be able to obtain the knowledge I need to succeed. I have witnessed how much of an impact this profession can have on everyday lives, which is a constant reminder as to why I chose this profession.