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Becoming a Speech and Language Therapist

Monthly Archives: March 2019

Interview with an SLT

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This month, it’s time to ask an expert about SLT. As a student, I’ve had various experiences on placement, with different client groups and practice educators, all of whom have helped me develop different skills and hopefully pass on useful info via this blog. But, of course, there is no substitute for hearing from an experienced clinician.
On my last (as in, most recent AND last ever as a student at City….) placement, I met several brilliant SLTs. One of them kindly agreed for answer some questions about herself and her working life.

1) What did you expect when you first started working as an SLT and how was the reality different or the same?

My first job was in an acute hospital with only one other speech therapist. I think I was pretty prepared, and fortunately everything was quite fresh in my mind from studying. I had been on pracs in similar settings – so it wasn’t too much of a shock to the system. However, suddenly you are the professional, knowing more about your area than other professionals – and they turn to you for advice, not your supervisor or lecturer. I certainly felt the huge extent of responsibility. Furthermore, everything we had learned about was suddenly potential reality; a baby choking on feeds, a man desaturating in ICU. It was quite daunting to be at the front line of everything.

I learn better through practical experience, so although theory was fresh, I soon realised there was a huge amount to still learn through experience.

2) What is your favourite thing about being an SLT?

I love working with people, and having the ability to improve someone’s life. Knowing that every day I can help someone or make some kind of a positive impact…

Working with people – clients, families , and other professionals means I don’t stop learning because everyone is different. Every single day is different so I am constantly challenged.  It is an evolving profession which is exciting, so I feel driven to evolve with it.

I also love that I can work with so many different populations – children, adults – in schools, in hospitals, in rehab.

3) and your least favourite?

On the flip side – working with people can be tiring, you have to constantly be on your A-game, positive and ready for anything. It can be emotionally tolling.

The paperwork and admin can also be frustrating to deal with.

4) What do you wish people knew about the profession?

For students who are keen to study/are studying SLT: There is actually a lot of paperwork and admin!

For those who don’t know much about what we do:  Although our working hours aren’t very long – compared to some of the corporate workers – our days can be tolling. We take a lot on working with people and in the environments we work in.

5) What would you say to someone considering studying SLT?

It is an incredible profession to work in if you want to help others. As therapists we tend to know a lot more about our clients than other medical professionals. There are so many different areas you can go into and become specialised in. You get to work in multi-disciplinary teams – and learn across professions. You will never stop learning…

Working with people has its challenges – it can be emotionally tolling – but it certainly has its rewards..

I don’t know many people who can say they love going to work every day – but I do..

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City, University of London is an independent member institution of the University of London. Established by Royal Charter in 1836, the University of London consists of 18 independent member institutions with outstanding global reputations and several prestigious central academic bodies and activities.

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