Stephanie Bruno Dowling is a speech therapist practicing in Delaware County, Pa. With a M.S. degree in speech pathology, Dowling currently works in early intervention care in a preschool. Passionate about her career, she works with young children who have speech delays or general problems with their speech. To find out more about Dowling and to read her reflections and recommendations regarding the field, be sure to read her blog, Early Intervention Speech Therapy.

Why did you decide to pursue a career as a speech language pathologist? 
I knew I wanted to help people and entered college as a psychology major. I love people, and my mother suggested I take the intro course for speech. I did and ended up really enjoying it. The rest is history!

What type of preparation did you do to get into this field?
I have both my bachelor’s and graduate degree in speech language pathology, which is from Loyola College (now University) in Baltimore, Md. I spent many, many hours on observations and internships from my junior year of college onward to obtain both degrees. Also, your first year out of graduate school is considered your Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY), and you will either be assigned or will need to find a trained, certified and licensed SLP [speech language pathologist] to supervise you.

What types of classes and projects did you have to do in school?
I had to create lesson plans and binders of informational resources (articulation exercises, etc.) that could be used in the field. I took anatomy classes, neurology, audiology, phonemic awareness, fluency/stuttering, just to name a few. Classes are both medically and educationally based. After graduation, an SLP should be able to work in either setting or both.

How did your education help you in your career?
Priceless! My education gave me role models, such as my professors and supervisors. I also gained contacts for later—peers and adults I could call and contact with questions/ask for help. Through my classes and internships, I discovered that I definitely wanted to work with children in a more educational setting, which is exactly what I am doing now. Those were the internships I enjoyed most. Knowing the path I wanted to pursue made the transition from school to work much easier for me.

What was your career path like in this field? 
I have always worked in the school setting, but in the early years, I tended to jump to a new job every two years or so. This was mainly because I moved a few times or wanted to try something new. After working in four different schools, I decided I wanted to try early intervention and working with little ones. I also decided I wanted less paperwork and a more flexible schedule, which is what I found in my current position. I have been here for four and a half years, working in both home care (0-3) and now in preschool (3-5). As a working mom, this setting is ideal for me.

What types of skills is someone required to have to work in your position? 
You need to have a lot of patience and should enjoy working with little children! To qualify for the position, you need to have your master's in speech pathology and be licensed in the state. I am also ASHA [American Speech-Language-Hearing Association] certified. You also need to be organized in order to balance paperwork and therapy. Plus, you need to be a team player, since you are always working with others—the classroom teachers, the OT [occupational therapist] and PT [physical therapist].

What do you do on a typical workday?
I start with paperwork and planning at 8 a.m. I do this for the first 30 to 45 minutes. I work directly with children for two or more hours. Then, I finish up more paperwork before lunch. After lunch, I work directly with children for about another 3 hours. Afterward, I finish up more paperwork and planning, and return emails and phone calls until the end of the day, around 3:30 p.m.

Do you plan to advance to another position within your career field? 
For now I am set. I feel that I have enough on my plate, with working full time, writing the blog, and being a wife and mother. Down the road—as my children get older, I may change and look for something new!

What type of person do you think is best suited for a job in your field?
Someone in this field should be patient, friendly, open-minded, creative, organized (at least a little bit!), flexible and have a genuine love for children.

Do you have any advice for those who are looking to launch a career in your field?
Spend a day with an SLP in a school, rehab, hospital, etc. Ask questions and watch what they do to see if it’s something you would enjoy. If so, look for universities in your area that offer the major and compare programs. Some focus more on classroom work and others on fieldwork. (I always preferred the hands-on fieldwork!) Really investigate the profession—read about it, Google salaries and see if it is what you are looking for! It’s a big investment, and you will be doing it for the rest of your life (hopefully), so make sure you want to!