“It takes a special person to do that.”
“What is that?”
“So, you’ll teach like, debate or something?”
“Oh! So, you just help kids who stutter?”
“Aw, so you’re the reason kids lose their cute lisps! Darn!”
Most people have no idea what my major consists of. If I had a dollar for every look of confusion I get when I say “I’m a speech language pathology major!”, I could pay for graduate school. Although I have gotten that look a million times, I still have yet to perfect a description of what is a “speech path major”.
Truth be told, I had no idea that this is the path I was going to take for a career. I spent years convinced that I was going to be a nurse or a Special Education teacher. From a young age, I loved working with kids and helping people, so I knew that my career would have to be connected to those passions. My senior year of high school, much like most graduating students, I had no idea where I was going with my life. So, I spent late evenings looking at college websites, scheduling tours, and researching my options for “teaching”. As I was filling out applications for schools that had special education programs, I decided to click on a link that was labeled “careers related to special education.” The option at the top of the list- Speech Language Pathology. I clicked on that link and my searching was over; I found what I am suppose to do.
After that day, I spent hours at a time researching what I could do with this degree; I had so many options! Then, August rolled around and it was time to start college. Just when I thought I couldn’t love the idea of this career anymore, I was proven wrong. I sat in orientation in front of my main professor as she described the goals, struggles, triumphs, and stress that comes with being a speech pathology major. I started my classes and couldn’t get enough.
As of now, I am going to be a junior, and I still can’t stop from getting excited when I envision my future and get to speak about my future profession. I have learned so much since beginning college and couldn’t be more surprised at how much more knowledge I still need to gain. However, I have figured out several things.
The stress is worth it. The major is competitive, the workload is out of this world, and the late nights of studying and perfecting research papers can drive a person to a mental breakdown. However, that moment that you master a skill you thought would take you months, you get an A on that 15-page research paper about swallowing disorders, or you spend your first day in the clinic and see the impact you have, that brings it all back into perspective.
I am going to be so much more than just a “speech teacher”. Although this is usually the easiest way to explain what profession includes, my major includes so much more. I will be the reason that an individual who had a stroke can write their name and interact with their families once again. I will be the reason that a child who has autism and is nonverbal will be able to say “I love you” to their parents for the first time. I will be the reason that someone who is so afraid to communicate due to a delay or disorder will be able to order a pizza and overcome that fear that they have inside themselves. I will change lives, encourage confidence, help improve health, and reconnect families and friends.
I am so happy with the choice I made for my future. I am proud to be the only male in my program. I am proud to be taking a course that drives others away due to its difficulty and requirements. I am proud to be a part of a small group of individuals who have the same goal as me- to help others and change lives.
I am so proud to be a speech-language pathology major. Which yes, I work with kids who stutter and may work in a school, but I will be so much more.
