The field of speech language pathology has a vast number of opportunities for those working in it, and that’s a point The Missing Link for SLPs podcast strives to drive home through its conversations. Coming straight out of school, many professionals assume their career is limited to a set number of paths. Luckily, that’s not the case at all. And in the most recent episode, Kate Jurevicius spoke about finding that thing excites you. Whether you’re practicing in a full-time or part-time setting, or running your own practice, uncovering your passion will help push you forward.
No matter what environment you’re working in, your job is going to feel like work at least some of the time. There are going to be difficult days, overwhelming days — sometimes consecutively. This is especially true if you’re still determining what area of speech pathology you’d like to pursue, but it also applies to professionals working in jobs they love. Whichever description suits you, finding your “passion project,” as Jurevicius calls it, will make the obstacles more bearable.

Think About Your Why

If you’re an SLP wondering how to pursue your passion in the field — or struggling to determine what that passion is — it may be time for some self-reflection. Contemplating why you’ve chosen this path and what you hope to gain from it may clarify things. Listening to the experiences of other SLPs, and reaching out for their perspectives, could also be a useful endeavor. Something The Missing Link for SLPs hopes to accomplish is highlighting career paths most SLPs never even consider. Hearing about other clinicians who have ventured outside the box may spur some of your own ideas about moving forward. 

Learn New Things

In the most recent episode of the podcast, Jurevicius discussed some of her favorite resources for SLPs. Among them were LessonPix and Hanen training, but those are far from the only tools available to SLPs. Discovering and learning new programs or treatment methods will help you become a better clinician, but they may even go one step further. If you’re looking for a niche to focus on, these trainings or resources may offer some ideas about where to start.

Don’t Be Afraid to Change Course

One major takeaway from Jurevicius’ story is that it’s never too late to change course. She detailed how she transitioned from years of working in corporate America to working in schools and then moved onto her own private practice. And her story highlights something many professionals can attest to: You may have to try a few different paths before finding the right one for you. Remember that it’s okay to move around until you find what fulfills you. And if that changes down the line, that’s okay too.