The speech-pathologist community really liked a post I recently shared called 10 Awesome Reasons Why Being a Speech Pathologist Rocks!. That post was packed with all the amazingly wonderful reasons why being a speech pathologist is awesome. However, there are many difficulties with being an SLP, especially for those working for government organizations like public schools and early intervention services. In fact, due to numerous factors that are entirely beyond their control, the burnout rate for speech pathologists is significantly increasing. Despite these difficulties, they persevere because they are committed to helping the kids in their care.
- 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.
6 pros of being a speech pathologist
There are many benefits of being a speech-language pathologist. Here are six pros of this career:
1. Fulfilling work
Making a difference in other people’s lives is one of the main advantages of becoming a speech-language pathologist. For instance, many speech pathologists work in schools and assist students in resolving speech issues that are preventing them from making academic progress. They might also assist those who have suffered injuries in regaining their speech abilities. These kinds of accomplishments give many people a sense of satisfaction in their work.
2. Flexible schedule
Flexible scheduling is another benefit of this career. Many SLPs have the ability to make their own schedules, which allows them to work on the weekends, during particular hours, or on particular days of the week. This can free up these professionals’ time so they can care for their patients and raise a family or attend to other personal obligations. SLPs may be able to work from various locations around the country and the world due to this profession’s flexibility. Many people also opt to work on a contract basis, which enables them to accept jobs in different places.
3. Environment
There are numerous work environments available to speech-language pathologists, including schools and healthcare facilities. In addition, they have the option of working for private businesses or individuals. SLPs favor school systems because they can interact with students daily to aid in their improvement and track their progress.
Health care centers are also popular choices for these professionals. They are able to work with individuals who have a variety of needs in this type of setting. For instance, SLPs who work with patients who have been diagnosed with brain injuries can select a medical facility with specialized medical equipment as their place of employment.
4. Specialization
SLPs have the option of specializing in a particular condition or population. For instance, an SLP may decide to concentrate only on elementary school students with cleft palates. Developing a subspecialty in speech pathology is a different way to specialize. Some examples of subspecialties are:
5. Job outlook
6. Salary potential
What does a speech pathologist do?
Clinicians in the field of speech-language pathology assist their patients in improving their communication skills through therapies and exercises. They often work in settings like schools and hospitals. Some job responsibilities of SLPs include:
4 cons of being a speech pathologist
Like any profession, speech-language pathology can have drawbacks. Here are four potential cons of becoming a speech pathologist:
1. Required qualifications
Before beginning practice, speech-language pathologists must fulfill a number of requirements. A master’s degree is necessary for licensure as a speech pathologist, and it can take several years to obtain. Most SLPs also complete fellowships to prepare for their careers.
Although it may take some time to fulfill these requirements, qualified SLPs can begin working with the assurance that they are fully prepared to provide patient care. They might design educational programs that shorten the amount of time they spend in school so they can begin working sooner.
2. Demands from employers
At times, this career can also be demanding. For instance, a lack of funding in some school systems may force speech pathologists to handle more cases than usual. This can lead to less time available for each student. SLPs might not benefit from a consistent schedule in hospitals.
Many SLPs swap days off with their coworkers because health care facilities require staff at all times to ensure that someone is available to attend to a patient’s needs. Some of these professionals prefer working on their own because it gives them more control over their workload and schedule.
3. Burnout
Another negative aspect of this career path is the potential for burnout. Burnout is a sense of exhaustion towards ones job. Burnout can be brought on by a variety of things, such as increased stress or the demands of the job. SLPs can take proactive steps to avoid burnout.
Regular exercise can help reduce stress and increase energy. Making a list of the tasks you need to complete each day provides structure and may help you avoid feeling overworked. Spending regular time with family and friends is another beneficial habit.
4. Heavy workload
Speech-language pathologists may also experience heavy workloads. SLPs frequently bring paperwork home to finish so they can regularly update reports and patient notes. SLPs can learn more about their patients through this, which can take time but increase the effectiveness of their work.
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.
Is becoming a speech pathologist 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
