LEAD Community Outreach

The LEAD Mentoring group members, mentees and mentors, came together for our first meeting this semester to plan future community outreach endeavors. Our goal is to present the Lamar University Speech and Hearing programs, Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, to local high schools during career day activities.

April Bonton, Graduate SLP Clinician, is heading up the outreach project. April states that our goal is to inspire people to know more about Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Several outreach activities have been held at Lamar Port Arthur and Lamar Orange.

The next planned outreach activity is planned for:

February 23, 2015

Central High School

Beaumont, Texas

8am -11am

Volunteers are needed, and can be undergrad or grad students.

If you are interested please email me pboudreaux@lamar.edu

Kearston Burton, Graduate SLP Clinician, led the group in a fun get-to-know-you activity, by creating a fun quiz in the web app Kahoot. Our competitive spirits went into overdrive as we split into groups to answer the quiz questions. Check out this fun website, it would be perfect for presentations, study groups, or test reviews.

The following FAQ's about Audiology and Speech-language Pathology were created by Maureen Ehrlich, Graduate SLP Clinician. Designed to be used as a handout during group outreach projects, they are also handy fact sheets that you can copy and give to anyone that may be interested in learning more about our chosen professions.

FAQ About Audiology

• What is audiology?

Audiology is a branch of science dealing with the science of hearing.

• What does an audiologist do?

An audiologist is a highly educated and trained professional who evaluates an individual’s hearing loss and fits him/her with hearing aids.

• What kind of education do you need to become an audiologist?

After obtaining a bachelor's degree, a student must enter a four year program to earn a clinical doctorate in audiology.

• What is the median salary for an audiologist?

The median salary is $71,000 a year.

• How competitive is it to get into graduate school to become an audiologist?

Getting into graduate school is highly competitive. Students are expected to have a gpa of at least 3.5G. The RE is also required at most graduate schools.

• How can Lamar University help me become an audiologist?

Lamar University has a comprehensive academic program that will provide a student with the education and training to enter the field of audiology.

Learn more here:

http://fineartscomm.lamar.edu/speech-and-hearing-sciences/academic-programs/doctor-of-audiology.html

FAQ About Becoming A  Speech Language Pathologist

• What is a speech language pathologist?

A speech language pathologist is a specialist that evaluates and treats speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages.

From stroke patients to a child with a stutter, an SLP sees a wide range of clients.

• What kind of education does a speech language pathologist need?

First, a student needs a bachelor's degree or post baccalaureate work in speech pathology.  Speech pathologists also have a master's degree as well as a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) earned by working under supervision. Texas also requires a state license.

• What is the median salary for an SLP?

The median salary for an SLP is about $70,000.

• How competitive is it to go to graduate school in speech pathology?

Getting into graduate school is very competitive. Most students have a gpa of at least 3.5. The GRE is also required for most graduate programs.

• I have a bachelor's degree in speech pathology but I did not wish to go to graduate school. Are there other opportunities ?

Yes! With a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology, you can become a speech pathologist assistant. Learn more here:

• http://work.chron.com/speech-pathologist-assistants-license-texas-25213.html
• https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/speech/sp_assistants.shtm

• How can Lamar University help me become a speech language pathologist?

With small classes, student organization and opportunities to learn outside the classroom, Lamar University faculty and staff are dedicated to education the next generation of speech language pathologists. Learn more here:

• http://fineartscomm.lamar.edu/speech-and-hearing-sciences/

Team Work Makes the Dream Work

Sincerely,

Your Speech and Hearing Family

LEAD Members Important Dates

Hello and Welcome Back to Campus!

There are two important mandatory dates for all 
mentees and mentors participating in the LEAD group.

When: Friday, January 30 from 10am to noon and Febuary 23, 2015 

What: Career planning with mentees

Goal: To co-present a career workshop with mentees to high school students

 Please contact Justin, Maureen, or Kearston to help with one of the three areas we hope to address: transitioning from HS to college; career components in Audiology and SLP fields; planning get to know you activities.

Justin is helping to coordinate transition and planning from HS to college. Please email Justin here: jeveans19@my.lamar.edu

Maureen is focusing on career components in the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology fields. You can email Maureen here: mehrlich1@lamar.edu 

Kearston is leading up our efforts to engage, have fun, and get to know each other better. Kearstons email is kburton4@my.lamar.edu

Team Work Makes the Dream Work

Sincerely,

Your Speech and Hearing Family

New Beginnings

Classes begin at Lamar University Tuesday, January 20th, 2015.

A new semester with fresh chances, new experiences, 
and opportunities is about to begin.

Preparing for a new semester can be costly,
with the cost of books and supplies. 

Here are several links to find bargains on your textbooks.

Rent Textbooks Cheap

LU Book Swap Facebook Group

Did you know that usually you can find out what books you need before classes start by going to your self-serve banner, choose the "student" tab, then "registration" tab, scroll down to the Barnes and Noble link, which will take you to their page and a list of required textbooks.

See you at school!

Team Work Makes the Dream Work

Sincerely,

Your Speech and Hearing Family

Successful Students

As we look forward to a new semester 

here are a few ideas on how to prepare for success:

• Focus: Have a goal, prioritize, and organize. Utilizing a calendar or planner, in either digital or paper format will help you stay on top of classes, assignments, and exams. Two words: Procrastination and avoidance. It's likely many of us have had problems with this. Dr. Monica Harn recommends doing a time study; examine how you spend your time to see where you can improve. Dividing up work on reading, assignments, and papers work progressively and efficiently. 
• Participate: This is your education, actively engage! Discuss class material with classmates and ask questions in class, chances are if you have a question, someone else does also. Often the best advice will come from our professors; they are available through email and office hours. 
• Balance: A full load of classes, jobs, friends, relationships...sometimes it can be hard to manage everything. Stay healthy and balanced by getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising. 
• Persistence: As in the quote above, don't give up! Persistence pays off. Attend all classes. Evaluate classes as you move through them, if a class is not working for you, sometimes it may be better to drop and retake it. Network with classmates and professors for recommendations on future classes and activities.

Additional Resources

LU Book Swap Facebook Page

Lamar NSSLHA Facebook

Rate My Professor

10 Habits of Successful College Students Chegg Blog

Team Work Makes the Dream Work

 Sincerely,

Your Speech and Hearing Family

Test Taking Tips

Have you ever left class after an exam feeling that you had under performed? Likely we have all had that feeling before.

The links found below will help you build test preparation skills and improve test taking abilities.

If you are experiencing problems with just one class, talking with the professor is the best place to start. You can explain how you are preparing, and ask for alternatives or suggestions.

Resources at Lamar:

Student Services Listing

Career and Testing Services

Student Advising and Retention

Academic Enhancement Workshops

Resources on the Web:

Overcoming Test Anxiety (SUNY Buffalo)

Strategies for Difficult Test Questions (Virginia Tech)

Memory Skill Building (Virginia Tech)

Test-Taking  (Bucks County)

Team Work Makes the Dream Work

Sincerely,

Your Speech and Hearing Family

Preparing for your Masters or Doctoral Degree

 The deadline to apply for Fall 2015 Master of Science Speech-Language Pathology and the Doctor of Audiology program is fast approaching. February 1, 2015 is the deadline for all documents to be completed and turned in. You can find the complete guidelines and forms here.

 Even if you are not currently ready to apply, it is a good idea to take a look and familiarize yourself with the application requirements. The Letter of Intent and Recommendation Letters are important parts of your application packet, and require forethought; it is best to begin working on gathering these items in advance. 

Letter of Intent

 A letter of intent is an intellectual autobiography; its conveys the continuum of your academic life experiences and events  that have led you to desire a graduate education. 

 Writing a letter of intent can be a daunting task, so here are a few tips to think through the process and create your perfect letter of intention.

• Do your Homework: Read all the available information about the program you are applying to; be familiar with the mission statement, general program structure, and courses offered.
• Get others viewpoints: After your initial drafts, let someone you trust read your letter, and take their suggestions into consideration. Also, help is available at the Lamar Writing Center. You can find out more here; now is not the time to wing it like you might with class research writing.
• Style of writing:  A direct and straightforward writing style is recommended with an active, not passive voice. be positive, and emphasize strengths and explain anomalies. 

Here is a link to a webpage that gives a good complete outline to writing a letter of intent: Writing a Letter of Intent.

Letters of Recommendation

 Both Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology have forms that the person writing the letter of recommendation must fill out. They are available here, look on the right side bar for links. 

 You need to begin this process early, because the person you are asking needs time to complete the recommendation; if you are planning on asking professors, ask early because they may have many of these letters to write. 

The College Board website has a comprehensive guide for getting a good letter of recommendation. You can find them here.

Master of Science Speech-Language Pathology Degree Plan

 The Master of Science degree program in Speech-Language Pathology at Lamar University is a two year program, with 10 academic courses, and a clinical practicum rotation each semester. The first year clinical practicum will be at Lamar Speech clinic and possibly combined with a school location. The second year students participate in off campus externships at public schools and medical sites. You can find complete information on courses and degree plan here.

Doctor of Audiology Degree Plan

The Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) at Lamar University offers comprehensive academic, research and clinical experience in a wide variety of settings. A unique feature of Lamar Audiology is the diversity of the clinical and research experiences available. Students obtain clinical and/or research experience at the Lamar Speech and Hearing Clinic, several local audiology clinics, public school programs, local private practices, Houston and Lake Charles and Lafayette medical centers and other medical, rehabilitative, and educational facilities across the United States. More information about the Doctoral program can be found here.

Team Work Makes the Dream Work

Sincerely,

Your Speech and Hearing Family

Career Planning

You chose a college major and narrowed your career choices...

Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology. 

Both fields have multiple paths you can take: clinics, schools, hospital, home care, children, adults. The possibilities seem endless. How will you decide on a path? 

 Really, the question is: 
How will you decide on and build a career?

A career is more than just a job. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary states that a career is: a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially in public, professional, or business life; a profession for which one trains and which is undertaken as a permanent calling.

Much of what goes into building a career are processes you are very familiar with. Gong to college and choosing a major involve much of the same process that beginning a career takes: you thought about your likes, interests, strengths, you networked to find out about classes and professors...and really it is a continuous process, each semester we ask ourselves, "Am I meant to do this, this class was HARD!"

 The process chart displays basic career development planning

A Career is not a static entity, it is an ever changing, evolving process. As you begin your new career in your chosen field you will likely perform a self-assessment: "Oh I love working with children!" or "Swallowing specialist sounds perfect so I never have to transcribe phonetically again."

And just as you will go through changes in life, your career can too. Through a continuous monitoring process, networking, and continuing education, we can change direction in our career. 

The Texas Workforce Commission has several web pages that are interesting, to help us in researching our chosen fields, Texas Reality Check and Texas Cares are places to start the process.

Team Work Makes the Dream Work

Sincerely,

Your Speech and Hearing Family