change of career - Speech pathology?

[Tilda]

Hi, any speech pathologists out there that don't mind giving me some career advice? I haven't posted on BellyBelly for awhile but I thought there might be a few people out there could help me on this one. As the title of my thread suggests I'm looking for a career change. I've had a career break while I've cared full time for my DD1 (nearly 4) and DD2(2). I can't face going back to what I was doing in the public service and to be honest I think I'd have trouble getting back in now anyway. So I've been thinking about speech pathology as a possible career change. I can apparently do a two year Masters degree because I already have tertiary qualifications. But I've been told its fairly full on because they cram a lot into two years. Has anyone done this degree with young children? Do you enjoy speech pathology as a career - is it rewarding, challenging, dymamic (I want to avoid anything where I'll feel bored and futile)? Can it be family friendly from the start? Once you have a bit of experience is it difficult to break out into private practice on your own? Thanks!

[spiceoflife]

Hi Tilda,
I'm a speech pathologist
I trained 15 years ago, before the Masters programs were established, but I can imagine they do pack a fair bit into 2 years. It would help if your previous studies were in (biological) science and/or (behavioural) psychology.
Speech pathology is a great career in applied science. I love being a clinician and meeting different people with their families in the context of communication and/or swallowing difficulties. It has its drawbacks - not least is the fact it is so heavily female-dominated - and any job can have its 'rut'. Paediatric services and community based work is probably most 'family-friendly' so that limits some options if you particularly like medical aspects of speech pathology.
As for private practice, certainly you can go that way whenever it seems right to you. I would suggest contacting Speech Pathology Australia for some guidance there and definitely have some conversations with private speech paths. I don't have any experience with private practice, but it's something I think about from time to time.
Feel free to continue the conversation here or PM me.

[Tilda]

Thanks so much for replying Spiceoflife! Sorry its taken me so long to get back. I cold called a couple of private speech paths on Friday and quizzed them a bit. They both worked in paediatrics which I think is an area I'd be interested in. One thing one of them said was that she didn't find it "intellectually challenging" but "emotionally challenging" since you're dealing with issues that can make people feel very vulnerable I guess. Would you agree? I love interacting with people and helping people with problems but another side of me loves an intellectual challenge so I'm worried I might get frustrated if that's the case. I don't have a background in biological sciences. I did do two years of pysch at uni (a long time ago). Do you think you could cover what's needed in a two year masters to be a good clinician?

[spiceoflife]

Hi Tilda, apologies for such a long wait on this reply.
Hmm, I'd be interested to know what kind of paediatric practice had the SP who said it wasn't 'intellectually challenging'! I agree, it is emotionally challenging - all clinical work is - but a private SP who likes an intellectual challenge and can't find it isn't trying hard enough, if you ask me! Doing artic therapy with 4yo after 5yo after 6yo can certainly drive you bonkers, but usually there's something to keep your brain engaged. Continuing Professional Development and all that.
As for the outcomes of a two year masters, there is a pdf on Speech Pathology Australia website (in University Courses) that outlines the profession's view of that. Largely, it's what you make it, in that if you would have been a good clinician with 4 years' training you likely will be with 2. And, as with most work, you learn it on the job, too. Your psych study will definitely be useful. You might consider some bridging courses in chemistry, or linguistics.
For me, I was strong in both science and arts/English, so speech pathology was a great combination of the two.
Feel free to keep talking with me.