Speech therapists are highly skilled professionals who are integral in helping people who have difficulty with communication. They can help with a wide variety of communication issues, such as language delays, speech impediments, fluency issues, and more. As with any career, there are both pros and cons that come with being a speech therapist. In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of being a speech therapist, and discuss what potential candidates should consider before entering this field. We will look at the job duties, training and education requirements, salary and job outlook, and other important aspects of the profession. With this information, readers will have a better understanding of the role of a speech therapist and be able to make more informed decisions regarding their own career path.
- Pro: Speech pathology can be a very rewarding career. …
- Con: You will spend a lot of time in school. …
- Pro: It’s a growing field. …
- Con: It really is hard work. …
- Pro: You are doing meaningful work. …
- Con: This work is time-consuming. …
- Pro: You are now part of a close-knit community.
9 pros of being a speech therapist
Here are nine advantages of becoming a speech therapist that are frequently mentioned:
1. Direct patient care
Working with patients one-on-one is one of the main advantages of being a speech therapist. This is a good way to give individuals receiving speech therapy specialized care because you can gradually learn about their various learning styles and behaviors. With direct patient care, you can give your patients the best care possible and significantly improve their verbal communication skills.
2. Meaningful work
The rewarding nature of the work is another typical advantage of becoming a speech therapist. Working with kids and adults who need your help communicating with the outside world may be part of your job as a speech therapist. You can feel proud knowing that you’re improving people’s lives once you start to see the results of your hard work as your patients get better.
3. Career demand
The field of speech therapy and pathology is expanding because more parents are noticing early communication and language deficits in their children. Once you complete all of your qualifications, you should have little to no trouble finding work as a speech therapist. Knowing that there is typically a demand for your profession during times of economic or social uncertainty can be a significant stress-reliever.
4. Room for growth
Once you begin working as a speech therapist as a licensed professional, there is room for you to advance in your career. For instance, if you begin your career as a speech therapist at a school, your subsequent move might involve working there as a more experienced speech therapist in a hospital or rehabilitation facility. As your career develops, you may find continual inspiration in this room for improvement.
5. Flexible schedule
Speech therapy may be the best career choice for you if you want a flexible schedule for your job. You can typically set your own hours as a speech therapist, especially if you run your own clinic or practice. The typical work hours of a speech therapist follow standard work schedules, so even those who work in schools or hospitals can expect to have nights and holidays off.
6. Different work environments
A career in speech therapy might be a good fit for you if you enjoy the occasional change of scenery. Speech therapists frequently work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and schools. As a freelance speech therapist, various offices may call you in depending on the day, so your workplace is likely to change frequently.
7. Specialization
Another important benefit of the profession for speech therapists is the opportunity to specialize. You have the option to focus on a particular area of the profession that appeals to you more than others, such as working specifically with young children or those recovering from traumatic brain injury. Because you’ll be working specifically in a specialization that you value, this can make your career more enjoyable.
8. Job security
Another advantage of being a speech therapist is that your job security is consistent. Many speech therapists, particularly those who work primarily in schools or hospitals, are employed by contracts. Should your employer ever let you go for any reason, you can probably find a job with little difficulty due to the high demand for speech therapists.
9. High pay
7 cons of being a speech therapist
Here are seven typical drawbacks of being a speech therapist, followed by suggestions for each of them:
1. Extensive schooling
The extensive education required to enter the field of speech therapy is frequently cited as a drawback of the career. In addition to licensing requirements, certified speech therapists typically need a master’s degree in speech pathology, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Despite this, you can still benefit greatly from your time in college and use the entire curriculum and lessons you learned there to your day-to-day work as a speech therapist.
2. Time-consuming
A common perk of being a speech therapist is having a flexible schedule, but a drawback is how time-consuming the job is. Speech therapists often have to conduct additional research and complete paperwork after their shifts, making them less able to switch off from work than other professions. This problem can be solved by designating a specific day or days each week to complete this additional work, allowing you to come home and unwind the remaining days of the week.
3. Paperwork
As a speech therapist, you might discover that filling out paperwork consumes a significant portion of your workdays and even your free time. This is especially true for speech therapists who work in hospitals or schools, where they are required to maintain detailed records of each patient and their care. Working on paperwork all day long rather than saving it for the end of your shift is a solution to this problem.
4. Licensing
It’s critical to familiarize yourself with the various licensing requirements for the profession, which can vary by state, if you want to pursue a career as a speech therapist. Before being granted one of these licenses, many of them demand that applicants pass tests and complete a significant amount of clinical work. You are one step closer to changing lives as a licensed speech therapist by keeping in mind the important experience and knowledge you are gathering from undergoing this process, even though it can be less than pleasant at times.
5. High pressure
The high pressure environment of the field of speech therapy is another common disadvantage. As a speech therapist, your job is to assist patients in developing verbal abilities that they will need to communicate and function in society for the rest of their lives. To counteract this drawback, schedule time each day for a stress-relieving activity like yoga, reading, journaling, or meditation. When you’re feeling stressed, think about the uplifting and fulfilling aspects of your line of work.
6. Conduct issues
As a speech therapist, you might find yourself working closely with kids, especially those who have developmental delays or disorders, for a significant portion of your workdays. It can be stressful for speech therapists to deal with temper tantrums and other conduct problems that are frequent. However, you can manage this by learning about the various conditions and disorders that have an impact on behavior and discovering techniques to deal with these problems when working with patients, such as exercises or distractions.
7. Minimal coworker interactions
It’s important to realize that if you want to work as a speech therapist, you’ll probably spend the majority of your working hours by yourself. Speech therapists typically work one-on-one with their patients, so you might not have much time to interact with and get to know your coworkers. Joining an online community, such as one on social media, where you can communicate with other speech therapists and talk about different career-related issues is one way to solve this.
Speech Pathology Career – PROS and CONS You NEED to Consider!
FAQ
What are the disadvantages of being a speech pathologist?
- High case loads. …
- Lack of materials. …
- People who are NOT SLPs providing “speech” services. …
- Bureaucracy in General. …
- Paperwork & Meetings. …
- Scheduling. …
- Plan and Implement Therapy for Diverse Groups. …
- Misunderstandings about Our Role.
What are the advantages of being a speech pathologist?
- You will earn a good living. …
- You can work in a variety of settings. …
- You will have job security. …
- You will always be able to find a job. …
- You could travel for work. …
- You can be your own boss. …
- Your schedule can be flexible. …
- You can even further specialize.
What are the disadvantages of speech and language therapy?
Cons might include missed classes because the child might be taken out of school for therapy, which might have an effect on their academic and social lives. Second, it’s possible that the school’s speech therapist lacks the knowledge or experience necessary to handle the child’s particular language or speech disorder.
Is being a speech therapy worth it?
Choosing a career as a speech pathologist could be financially rewarding. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics open_in_new (BLS), the median annual salary for speech pathologists in 2019 was $79,120, or $38. 04 per hour. The BLS predicts the number of speech pathologist jobs will increase 25% from 2019 to 2029
