Interview Project With A Speech Pathologist

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Interview Project With A Speech Pathologist

Florida International University

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.