So I've been neglecting my blog the last 6+ months because life got a bit away from me, but I do have a few posts rattling around in my brain that I want to write about!
Possible upcoming posts:
I've graduated, now what?! The CF job search
The overseas SLPeep: How I plan (hope) to get a SLP job in (insert country here)
It's been a roller coaster ride in graduate school and I'm sure the ride will get that much more emotional/exciting/anxiety filled/amazing as a CF!
Wish me luck in the job search!
Congratulations!!! A job overseas...wow. What a dream!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm so late to this but congrats! I hope that's going well for you but I know how tough it is to get....any work. Anywhere. ^^; I was myself curious about work overseas considering English not being the primary language in most other places. Even if you do know some of the native language is it still possible to work this sort of job elsewhere? Since I know nothing yet I guess that's probably why I'm having to ask. xD;
ReplyDeleteI did apply though for the 1/15 deadline still waiting to hear something.
Anyway, I do hope you've found something =D
Thanks for the congrats! Yes, it is possible to work as an SLP in other countries. There is working on US military bases, international schools, non-profits, and probably a few more ways. I'm still researching it.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I found a job! I hope you hear from graduate schools soon!! Good luck!
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI just came across your blog and found your info helpful so thank you for that! Do you recommend choosing a SLP Grad program in the state I'm planning on working in? I'm currently living in NJ but looking for an online program (in a different state- NJ doesn't offer online) because of my work schedule. Will I be able to practice in NJ/NY if I obtain my degree elsewhere? Is there any negatives to doing this? Thanks!
You can go to grad school anywhere in the States and work in any state once you have your Master's degree. There are some states that require you to have a teaching certificate too to work as an SLP in schools, so you will have to check into NJ/NY's requirements for that. The best place to look for information is your state's licensing agency to find out all of the requirements needed to apply for an SLP state license.
DeleteHi Rose, love your blogs. I am prepping for the praxis exam, any tips?
ReplyDeleteThanks! I miss writing in it, but I have no time... hoping things will settle down in the near future and I can get back into blogging.
ReplyDeleteSo the Praxis... I had a whole study plan laid out and all the intentions in the world to study over the 6 weeks 'til I had the exam and... I didn't. I put in probably a total of 7 hours and most of that was the week before I took it. I used quizlets that other people compiled for the praxis as my flashcard study of areas I felt week in and I reviewed my quizlets. If you go to quizlet.com and type in "slp praxis" there are a bunch that come up. Just be careful that the information is accurate. I also searched quizlet for areas I felt I needed to brush up on more. When I took the praxis, it really wasn't that bad and I used my clinical knowledge to get through it, including my best guess based on that knowledge. My internship was really a great resource because it was real world practice that I could draw on.
I know some of my classmates had study plans and stuck to them. Mine was laid out with a section of SLP that I wanted to focus on for a couple of days and then the final week just go through everything one time, with no studying the day before. Again, that didn't happen but it was my plan!
I think if you did well in your classes and in your internships, you will do great on the praxis. And don't be in a rush to take them before you graduate unless your program requires you to. Get more clinical experience and make sure you take them sometime in your CF. Either way, good luck!! It's definitely not as bad as the GRE because you've actually had hands on experience with a lot of the material.
Rose, I am 43 and only now thinking of graduate studies as an SLP. I have doubts about being told and am worried about the GRE as I did not study high school maths in this country so the test is confusing to me. Is it harder as a mature student to get in for the SLP masters. I read so many posts out there about how competitive it is to get into a program so you are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI first started out pursuing a 2nd bachelor's online through Utah State University and many of my classmates were in their 30s, 40s, and even older than 50. So it's never too late to pursue a new career path.
DeleteI completely understand about math... I hadn't taken a math class in 20 years so the GRE was scary to me as well, but somehow did okay on the math. I did attempt some review of math concepts before taking the test.
As to being harder to get in to a program as an older student... in general, SLP programs are hard to get in to and are very competitive, but as an older student you are bringing a variety of experiences to the program that younger students don't have yet.
If you haven't looked into a post-bacc program, I recommend it. And maybe look into a GRE prep class if it is in your budget. The competitiveness of schools aren't going to change, but that's not enough of a reason to give up if you really want to become an SLP.
Good luck!
Thanks so much, I appreciate your prompt answer and the encouragement Rose..... now I don't feel so old.
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming you are talking about doing a bachelors in speech pathology first? I had not thought of taking a bachelors first because you still need to conquer the GRE to get into the masters and so many people end up with a useless degree if they don't get into the masters. In New York where I live, one cannot get into an SLP assistant job with a bachelors (there are no assistants here I believe).
At this stage, I have 2 bachelors and a masters degree in HR management from abroad (none in speech pathology though).
It seems so unfair that in other countries like UK and Australia one can become a speech pathologist with a bachelors and in the USA, you have to get a Masters to be an SLP.
You may want to do things out of order then... see if you can conquer the GRE and then go from there.
DeleteThere are some grad programs that have a post-bacc/pre-reqs built into the program. My grad program at Eastern Michigan University has pre-reqs for those who do not have an undergrad in speech.
As to requiring a Masters degree... yeah, it's tough, but it is a requirement in many therapy disciplines... in physical therapy, a doctorate is required. And unfortunately, there aren't that many states that have SLPAs either.