Specialized Settings & Diverse Speech-Language Pathologist Career Paths
There are many reasons to choose a career in speech-language pathology. You work to help people communicate effectively, each day is new and interesting, and you have a variety of potential roles to fill in the development of children, or the recovery of patients. There are several work environments that speech pathologists might choose from to tap into their interests and skills. You can even start as a speech-language pathologist in one work setting and later change to another.
No matter where you are in your career, there are options out there for your speech-language pathologist career path.
Speech-Language Pathologist Work Setting Examples
While the options for your career path as a speech-language pathologist are varied, the education requirements are similar for each position. Most work environments for speech-language pathologists require you to earn a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology or a similar speech-related field. As part of your study, you will also do fieldwork to gain real-world experience. Once you have your degree, you can begin your work in your field of choice.
School Settings
Many Speech-Language Pathologists choose to work in a school to provide speech services for students. This includes working with students with developmental or physical disabilities and aiding students with speech delays. This speech-language pathologist work environment requires you to assess students and create and enact treatment plans. Most of these plans will center around helping the students develop communication abilities to thrive in the school environment.
Working in a school is a great speech-language pathologist career path for anyone who enjoys working with children and can collaborate well with teachers and parents.
Hospital or Clinic Settings
In a medical setting, Speech-Language Pathologists can work with individuals of any age. Hospitals or clinics are speech-language pathologist work settings that require you to diagnose and treat speech issues related to cognitive, physical, or even psychological challenges. It’s generally a fast-paced environment that requires a lot of flexibility.
If you’re interested in working with a variety of ages and cases, a medical setting is a great speech-language pathology career path.
Research or Teaching Settings
If you’re interested in Speech-Language Pathologists’ diagnosis and treatment tools and methods, you may be interested in a research or teaching role. In many cases, you’ll need adequate field experience before you enter these roles, but they can be the ultimate goal of your speech-language pathologist career path.
Research types vary and can concentrate on ages, specific speech issues, or diagnosis methods among others. Similarly, teaching can include supervising student fieldwork, teaching a specific class, or shaping the overall curriculum.
Finding Your Fit with Nyman Associates
No matter what speech-language pathologist career path you choose, the experts at Nyman Associates are here to help you find your ideal job setting in Greater Philadelphia. We work with you to target your ideal job location, compensation, and work flexibility among other benefits.
Our high retention rates speak for themselves! See where you can go in your career – contact us today.
