The Clinical Fellowship Experience

Now that I've been living in Alaska for a month, I'm gearing up to start work as a Clinical Fellow. I've got my trapper keeper, #2 pencils, and an A+ attitude. That's all you need for a first day, right? I'm going to go with yes. This "Clinical Fellowship" used to be termed "Clinical Fellowship…

Good Student or Good Therapist?

I recently tweeted about an illustrated quote  by the gentleman over at ZenPencils.com; it's called "Erica Goldson - Graduation Speech." Nothing, as of late, has inspired me more than reading this quote ( please check it out before you continue). My SLP graduate school graduation is this Saturday, July 27 and I won't be attending…

New Beginnings

I live in Alaska. There have been many obstacles since I decided to move to Alaska and work as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Where would I work? Where would I live? How would I get around? Could I make it with the long days of sunlight and long days of darkness? How expensive is it to…

Blogging About Research – Phonemic Awareness in SLP Graduate Students

One of the perks of still being in graduate school means I have access to any and all journal articles since the dawn of time. Rachel at "Talks Just Fine" suggested a new blog installment where other #slpbloggers link up, and review current research within their scope of practice. I am all about this new venture!…

Developing an Opinion

The transition from Speech-Language Pathology graduate student to an independent, unsupervised SLP is an awkward time. I'm frolicking through my last internship of graduate school, and I can't help by notice the differences in my clinical and professional skills. The promise of learning from a new supervisor coupled with the triumph of securing an SLP-CF…

Summer Reading List for New SLP Grad Students

I've posted statistics, tips, ideas, and resources for applying to Speech-Language Pathology graduate school. For those of you who read them and used the ideas, thank you! For those of you who did not, that's OK, we can still be friends. I will get us one of those friendship necklaces. BFFs. I digress. This post…

The SLP Post-baccalaureate Plunge

Why Post-Bacc?  Universities across the U.S. offer a set of courses which prepare students to begin a graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP). There are a few different reasons a person might choose to complete these prerequisite courses (aka post-baccalaureate courses) in SLP or Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD): You have your Bachelor's degree in an…

Desperation or Determination? – SLP Graduate School Admissions

How many times will you continue to apply to Speech-Language Pathology graduate schools before you stop and consider an alternate route or career path? I've posed this question to myself since many friends and blog readers have commented and emailed me regarding grad school rejection. So when would you stop saying "I'm determined to get…

Why Can’t I Get Into SLP Graduate School?

An applicant is only allowed to put limited, watered-down  information in an application for SLP graduate school. Then, schools may limit the number of pages per document. A one page resume here. A one page, single spaced letter of intent there. Send official transcripts over here and way over there. All this information rests in the hands of secretaries,…

Today

There's a naiveté about being a new clinician. Stumbling through therapy sessions, wondering if you are talking too much, giving the right prompts, or using the right technique.  As a supervisor sits, watching, I wonder "What does she really think about my skills?" Sweaty hands. Everyone has been through the process. Courses. Syllabi. Ethics. Evidence.…