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A Comprehensive Guide to Speech-Language Pathology Masters Online

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A Comprehensive Guide to Speech-Language Pathology Masters Online

Speech-language pathology is a fascinating and rewarding field that offers professionals the opportunity to make a huge impact on those with communication disorders. While this has historically been a hands-on field, advancements in technology have made it easy to obtain a master''s degree in this field from your home (or wherever you choose to take classes). In this guide, we''ll delve into the ins and outs of pursuing a speech language pathology masters online.

The basics of speech-language pathology

Speech-language pathology is a specialized field that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing communication and swallowing disorders. Professionals in the field work with individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly, who have difficulty with speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing.

Speech-language pathologists, also called speech therapists, play a critical role in their patients'' lives. They help children with language delays express themselves effectively, assist stroke survivors in regaining their speech, and support people with voice disorders who want to communicate more confidently.

Why pursue a master''s in speech-language pathology online?

In almost every state, a master''s degree is required for licensure. However, on-campus programs aren''t feasible for everyone due to financial, geographic, and time constraints. Unless you live in a major city, you probably won''t find the exact program you''re looking for. And if you don''t have tens of thousands saved up (or are willing to go into debt), you''re going to have significant financial trouble while earning your master''s. And that''s all in addition to the challenge of managing a work schedule while taking classes. 

That''s why online degree programs make sense. They offer a higher degree of flexibility for students who need to learn at their own pace, including working professionals, those with family commitments, and anyone who feels more productive at certain times of the day. Online degrees are roughly 37% cheaper on average, compared to their on-campus counterparts. When you factor in commuting costs, that number is even higher.

The quality of online programs

One common concern about online programs is the quality of the education. But many online speech-pathology master''s degree programs are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA-ASHA). This means that they meet the same rigorous standards as traditional programs.

Plus, advancements in technology have made online learning more interactive and engaging for students. Many programs use a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) classes, discussion boards, and virtual labs to deliver a comprehensive learning experience. In fact, there are even healthcare degrees you can earn online.

Choosing the right online program

With so many options available, you need to choose the right one by considering the following factors:

  • Accreditation: Ensure the program is accredited by the CAA-ASHA, which is a requirement for licensure.

  • Curriculum: Review the curriculum to ensure it covers all the necessary areas, including speech/language development, phonetics, audiology, neurology, and clinical practicum.

  • Support services: Check what support services are available, including academic advising, career services, and technical support. These enhance the online learning experience and value you ultimately get from it.

Endnote

Obtaining a speech-language pathology master''s online is a flexible and affordable option if you want to advance your career in this affordable field. Take your time when exploring different programs, asking questions, and evaluating the quality of each university. Your future patients will thank you. 

The post A Comprehensive Guide to Speech-Language Pathology Masters Online appeared first on Jobacle.com.

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How To Answer “Why Should We Hire You?”
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How To Answer “Why Should We Hire You?”

Every time you interview, your main purpose is to convince the employer to hire you. The job search is a sales process. The hiring manager (your future boss) is the “customer,” and you are both the sales rep and the product. Why should they choose you over all the other “products” out there?

During the interview process, the hiring manager might ask you, “Why should we hire you?” Here are some tips for how you can effectively answer this tough interview question and stand out from other job candidates:

Focus On What You Can Do For The Employer

Job candidate explains why the employer should hire her in a job interview

This question is actually a fantastic opportunity for you to summarize why you’d be a great hire.

Always focus your answer on what benefits you bring, what problems you can solve, and what solutions you can provide. Never, ever say that they should hire you because you need the job or because you really want it—or anything remotely related to your reasons for wanting the job. This is your chance to connect the dots and help the employer see why you’re the best person for the job.

Think about things you know the hiring manager (interviewer) is looking for—skill sets, background, character traits, personal qualities, education, experience, or anything else that will make you successful in this role. Relate your answer to these things.

Give An Example

Job candidate answers "Why should we hire you?" in a job interview

Explain how you meet the employer’s needs and give an example to support your answer.

Your answer should be framed like this: “You should hire me because you’ve said you want someone with A, B, and C. I fit all of your requirements. I have A (say what that is), B (maybe give an example), and C (elaborate further).”

This will help you stand out from the other candidates and it gives the employer a reason to hire you.

Keep The Job Description (And Your Skills!) In Mind

Typically, this question will come toward the end of the interview, so you can refer to what you’ve already talked about, or mention something new that you know they’d be interested in. If it comes in the beginning, use the job description and your research to answer:

  • Will this job require long hours? Mention your work ethic.
  • Will this job need someone with great communication skills? Give an example of yours.
  • Will this job need someone who can learn on the fly? Tell them how you’re going to get up to speed quickly and how you’ve learned and adapted before.
  • Does this job need someone with a particular background? Mention yours.
  • Do you have the skill set they want? Talk about your skill set and how you have been successful with it.

Give them examples of what you have achieved in the past. If you haven’t done this job before, talk about similar things you’ve done or qualities you have that will make you successful in this new role.

It’s never easy to answer “Why should we hire you?” in a job interview. However, if you do these three things, you’ll be able to articulate your skills, experience, and qualifications with ease. And you’ll impress the hiring manager in the process!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

4 Signs You Should Leave Your Job
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4 Signs You Should Leave Your Job

We’ve all been there. We’ve experienced the feeling of dread, battling traffic as we drive to and from work. The lack of sleep Sunday night as your mind spins, thinking of ways to get out of work the next day. Constantly wishing you were doing something else, anything else, yet never feeling 100% clear that you’re meant to leave your job and find something else.

After all, other people at work seem happy. You earn a decent living, and you’ve got a roof over your head because of that job.

Now, I’m going to give you the four simple signs that you should get a better job. But first, here’s a bonus tell-tale sign: If you’re reading this article and got this far, you probably deserve a better job. The fact that you’re reading this tells me there’s some part of you that knows you can do better.

But, just for fun, let’s go through the four tell-tale signs you should get a better job:

1. You’re Doing What You “Should” Do

Woman thinks about leaving her job while working

Ever feel like you’re constantly doing things you “ought to do” instead of what you “want to do”? If the real reason you’re working is to appease your parents, impress your friends, or do what you think your great-great-grandfather would want you to do, then you’re not being true to yourself, and you’ll eventually snap. It’s time to tune into what you want in life and take steps today to pursue it.

2. You’re Incredibly Bored At Work

Young man looking bored at his desk and deciding whether he should get another job

There’s a difference between doing the occasional boring task during an otherwise enjoyable workweek and working an entire job that you’re bored with. If you’re daydreaming of better things to escape the mind-numbing boredom, then it’s time to make those dreams come true and find a job that’s fulfilling and plays to your strengths.

3. Your Co-Workers Bring You Down

Young professional upset at his desk while his coworker yells at him

People around us have a huge impact on our life, often much more than we realize. So, if you don’t get along with your team, find yourself picking up bad habits from your co-workers, or just can’t wait to get away from them, then that’s a pretty good sign the grass is greener elsewhere.

4. You Say “No” To This Question Too Many Days In A Row

Young professional woman looking stressed at her job, debating whether she should look for a new job

Here’s the really big, final, decisive sign. It’s from Steve Jobs’ famous Stanford commencement speech, and it goes like this:

“When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: ‘If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.’ It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”

Powerful, isn’t it?

These tell-tale signs may have helped you come to terms with the fact that it’s time for a change. Yet, as you likely know, figuring that out is the easy part. The much more difficult part is gaining clarity on what to do, and having the courage to do it.

If you need help building the confidence to leave your current job, check out Work It Daily and all of our career resources. We’ll help you feel empowered in your job search so you can find the right job for you!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Answer “Why Should We Hire You?”
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4 Ways To Turn Resume Fluff Into Marketable Facts

Your resume is the most important document to advance your career. And given employers will only scan it for about 7-10 seconds, you need to make sure you scream, “Here’s what I can do for you!”

There’s a difference between a resume that only showcases your personality and characteristics and one that demonstrates specific achievements and accomplishments. Unfortunately, too many resumes are filled with fluff statements anyone can say and they don’t really distinguish you as a top candidate.

A resume filled with terms such as “visionary” (how many of these do you really know?), “motivated,” “team player,” “problem solver,” “results oriented,” “dynamic,” and many other phrases are examples of overused words.

To avoid creating a resume complete with fluff, try to turn to marketable facts and quantifiable accomplishments.

1. Don’t Rely On Terms That Describe Character (Soft Skills)

Replace the use of terms that describe character with specific content to demonstrate how you accomplished or achieved something. Shed some light on your method of execution. A resume should not include soft skills.

For instance, to show you were “results oriented,” indicate on your resume how you increased sales in your department by XY percent within a year or increased the number of attendees to an annual conference by XY percent compared to previous years.

If you don’t actually have numbers, you can approximate percentages: “Introduced new procedures that slashed cycle times approximately 20%.”

These are examples of quantifiable accomplishments. Don’t be afraid to quantify your results on the job and prove you’re the best fit for the position.

2. Use Numbers And Symbols

Man thinks about quantifying his accomplishments on his resume instead of adding fluff

Numbers and symbols quickly jump out at employers so use them whenever you can. Resumes have their own special rules and always show all numbers as digits as they catch the eye. Percentages are always best as they show the impact of your efforts.

For example, saying “increased sales $750,000 over prior year” is nice but to some companies that is petty cash and your company might not like your giving out their private information. It’s better to say, “Increased sales 43% over prior year.”

Simply avoid words that aren’t specific, such as “many,” “few,” and “several.”

3. Don’t List Responsibilities Of Your Previous Jobs; Demonstrate Outcomes

Professional woman on laptop writes about outcomes and accomplishments on her resume

The problem with writing responsibilities you held on the job is it doesn’t tell an employer how successful you were at executing your plans. An employer only cares about how good you did your job and how what you did can apply to the job they are offering.

Rather than list responsibilities, demonstrate your performance.

  • Are you the most senior member of your team?
  • Do people turn to you for the more challenging issues?
  • Is your productivity level higher than your peers?
  • Do you resolve issues on the first call versus others needing 2-3 calls?
  • Is your level of accuracy and the quality of your work at the highest level?
  • Have you demonstrated the ability to meet aggressive deadlines?

Statements like “consistently recognized for delivering quality results at less cost than budgeted” showcases your effectiveness, especially when you back that statement up with approximate numbers.

4. Only Detail Specialized Technical Skills

Professional man on laptop adds technical skills to his resume instead of fluff

Today’s employers expect candidates to know basic computer skills and programs, so only list specialized technical skills that are relevant to the job. An employer does not need to see you know programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.

Also, when you do list any technical skill, tell an employer how well you know the specific program by detailing what you may have created or done with it. Simply listing a specific program will not help an employer understand how well you know it or what your capabilities are.

Fill your resume with performance statements instead of fluff and you will see a dramatic improvement in your job search results.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.