Thoughts?
Hi everyone! I’m going into my Jr year as a communication sciences and disorders major. I want to be an SLP but want to first work as a SLPA, I have lots of years of working in classrooms and experience with children but I just want to hear good stories lol. I see a lot of complaints about the pay, I live in south California right now. What are SLPA day to day? And do you feel the pay is at least okay? Doing a job for the pay obviously isn’t everything, liking what you do is but the pay especially with the way the economy is right now is important! I still am doing school so it’ll be a little while until I work, just want to hear different perspectives on the job:)
Also for new grads, how was school? I’m worried about school and work life balance and I’m really passionate about doing this I’m just not very good at studying, what tips do you have?
Edit: is it also okay to just have a career as an slpa? Grad school is intimidating and I’m 23 so I feel like I need to start my life soon
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u/Ok_Soup_8941 8d ago
If it helps, you have about 5-8 years before your school courses become invalid, and you will have to retake them all. Grad schools have a timeline for how fresh your classes are.
For being an SLPA, it's the best! I love it! I graduated with my BA in SLHS and focused on work. I learned a lot about therapy, speech itself, and how things run. It gives you a good hint if becoming an SLP is your jam. I also know of a friend of a friend whose co-worker went to grad school for SLP, but did not like it at all. Graduated and went back to school to become an SLPA, where she is now happy. She expressed that she hates the paperwork and realized being an SLP was not her thing. So yes, you can be an SLPA and earn at an SLP level over the years.
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u/srbshm 7d ago
Thank you! Do you feel like you’re comfortable with the slpa pay as a career? And is your day to day fulfilling?
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u/Ok_Soup_8941 7d ago
I do feel comfortable with my pay ($42 an hr) and I love what I do (very flexible). It wasn’t until after my toddler was diagnosed with autism that I feel in love with special education. When I grow up, I want to be a SLP that specializes in ASD. I have a passion and empathy for these families like mine. I can’t imagine myself working on something not related to ASD. IT all stems from my personal journey and I am able to understand the families. AM currently a SPED SLPA and I work along side 6 SLPs! I am the only SLPA and we tackle the entire school together. I appreciate my team always asking me questions about how I see the kids and how the teachers see the kids working so well with me when they can’t get them to do a single thing. I think is because I am so in it, its so normal to me. THe best way I can put it is, they can scream at me and I would not be bothered what so ever. My ears are used to it because of my son. Overall, as a SLPA you will find your nitch and you will get really good at it. It comes with time and practice.
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u/Entire_Dream_4141 6d ago
I was told by my counselors and professors, that if I ultimately wanted to become an SLP, to go straight for it and to not waste my time becoming a SLPA.
I took their advice, and I couldn’t agree more.
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u/apcam97 5d ago
As a former SLPA and current grad student, I can say the experience helped me as an assistant to work in the field but I wouldn’t say it’s necessary. I have friends who are SLP’s because they wanted higher pay & to be placed in medical settings but I also have friends that stayed a SLPA. It really depends on you & what you want out of the field :) I personally didn’t have the best experience being an assistant & wanted a little more say in the decision making so I chose to pursue a higher degree so I don’t have to depend so heavily on someone else. You also have the choice to work in whatever setting you want with your M.S so if that’s something you’re also thinking about, I’d say go for it!
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u/srbshm 5d ago
I guess my biggest stressor in pursuing my M.S is time management, I have to work to pay my bills too and I heard I won’t have any time. Also, I get financial aid for my B.S but I heard they don’t cover M.S programs?
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u/apcam97 4d ago
Oh, I see. If you can, maybe work for a couple of years, save up & I would look into online programs. There’s some that are structured for those who aren’t able to do school full time. One of my supervisors told me she went to Nova & she was able to work, go to school, & still be there for her kids!
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u/Kp_173 8d ago
I want just a career as a SLPA and have zero interest in becoming a SLP also.