
Focus
Meet Bailee Jackson, a second-year graduate school student pursuing a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at St. Cloud State University offers insight into getting a Master’s degree in speech pathology. She shares what aspiring SLPs can expect from the application process and their first year in the program. She also provides useful tips on how to make the best of the experience and prioritize self-care, even when school seems overwhelming.
Discussion & Reflection Questions
- Tell us about who you are, your background, and why you are pursuing a degree to become a speech pathologist.
- What is the application process for graduate school like? Did you do research on where you wanted to go?
- Did you change or shift your resume going into grad school? What did you make sure to add?
- What was the best advice you received when it came to writing your personal statement?
- What was the interview portion of your grad school application like?
- Can you talk about some of the first-year challenges you faced and how you overcame them?
- Are there any study skills you’d recommend for first-year graduate students?
- How do you make time for priorities like your faith and personal relationships while also focusing on your grad program?
- What have you learned about yourself the past two years? Do you have any advice for new students?
Quote Of The Conversation
“I just have really been able to take a step back and be like, ‘It’s okay to be right where you’re at. You have room to grow.’ And that is, I think, a blessing and perfect to know that you are going to be better yet tomorrow than you were today.” -Bailee Jackson
Bailee Jackson

Bailee Jackson is a second-year graduate student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at St. Cloud State University. She also completed her undergraduate degree at St. Cloud State University, where she had initially planned on pursuing a biomedical degree. With the help of a friend, Bailee was introduced to the field of speech-language pathology and has been hooked ever since.
During her time as an undergraduate, Bailee competed on the St. Cloud State Women’s Swim and Dive team and was heavily involved in the University’s NSSHLA chapter and MNSHA’s Future Professionals Committee. These organizations worked to connect students with similar passions both on campus and in other university programs across Minnesota.
In her first year of graduate school, Bailee has had the opportunity to work with both pediatric and adult clients in the St. Cloud State University clinic. Although she’s still unsure what population she sees herself working with in the future, Bailee plans to work in a medical setting one day.
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Keep the Conversation Going
Guest Speaker Information
Second-Year Graduate Student at St. Cloud State University
Email – bljackson@go.stcloudstate.edu
Facebook – Bailee Jackson
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