Allied Professions and Careers
Allied Professions and Careers I Can Pursue with a BS in Speech, Language, and Hearing
Science
Graduate school options: allied health and educational fields related to our degree.
Note, students who plan on pursuing these career paths should attempt advance planning
in undergraduate courses – by taking electives that may count toward the requirements.
Students may be required to make-up foundational courses missing in order to apply
to graduate programs.
Graduate school options: other. A background in human development and communication
may be an excellent preparation for a wide range of careers. A few examples:
Graduate certificate programs or other certifications.
Special programs
- Teach for America. Working in low-income school districts as a classroom teacher.
- Americorps. A wide variety of service positions.
- City Year. Service in an inner city school.
- Peace Corps. Programs for children and youth and education are two high-need areas. Children
with disabilities are mentioned on this list.
Examples of positions students have taken instead of going to graduate school
- Behavioral therapist for children with autism
- Working with adults with intellectual disabilities. Example positions: job coach;
housing support staff (in community residences, for example); or classroom support
staff (e.g., in Wood Lane school)
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A). Important note: your BS degree is pre-professional so does not prepare you for SLP-A jobs . Depending on which state you live in, you will need to complete a supervised practicum
to qualify for their speech assistant positions.
- Substitute teacher (especially for intervention services/special education)
- Positions in the health care insurance industry
FOR STUDENTS NOT PURSUING GRADUATE SCHOOL, THINGS TO CONSIDER:
- Many positions require a bachelor’s degree at the entry level. You can now compete for these, since you meet the qualification of having a 4 year
degree.
- Your degree can help you secure a wide variety of positions, but finding a job will require creativity and persistence.
- Develop a professional resume that reflects the experiences and talents you have to offer; you may need more than
one version if you are pursuing more than one direction in your career search. Don’t
forget your volunteer and other relevant co-curricular experiences in student organizations
when building your resume.
- Make use of the Career Center including attending job fairs, using their career interest assessment tools, career
counseling, and any other resources offered to you by the university.
- Pursue and develop contacts in industries and careers that interest you. Interview people formally and informally to find out more about what it takes to
succeed in a particular field.
- Read books and websites on job hunting and career development. Find out how to excel at interviews, dress for success, move up the ladder from
an entry level job, etc If resources exist specific to a job that interests you, educate
yourself as much as possible about that job. A classic is What Color is Your Parachute by Dick Bolles.
- Be yourself and choose your journey. Some students may not chose to go on to the fields of audiology or speech-language
pathology, and some may not have the academic record to do so. In such instances
an individual may compare himself/herself unfavorably to their classmates who were
admitted to a graduate program. Be yourself! Never forget that your college experiences have prepared you to write, do research,
communicate orally, and think critically. This journey has changed you and will impact
your future career, whatever that may be. You may also have significant organizational and leadership experiences, or skills
in working with the public, from your previous jobs and volunteer work. We have had
several student complete the BS degree and then go on to do great things.
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