A new career direction in Speech Pathology!
After exploring a range of roles and areas of the performing arts and Higher Education sectors, and completing my PhD, I found myself at somewhat of a career crossroads. Road A, presented a continued journey in academia, furthering my professional practices in learning and teaching, research, and governance, within my discipline and other research interests. Following this pathway would likely have involved many years of casual employment ahead, while I continued to build my scholarly profile and seek permanent academic employment. (The widespread casualisation of the HE sector, and the challenges associated with casual employment are issues discussed in my forthcoming journal article “Playing Tertiary Tetris”—preliminary findings of which were presented at the 2022 HERDSA and AdvanceHE conferences—along with my UniSQ colleagues Dr Ian Davis, Dr Susan Abel, and Dr Alison Bedford).
Road B, presented an opportunity for me to think creatively about the tools in my professional portfolio, and how they could connect with an “adjacent possible” career pathway (Inger Mewburn, the Thesis Whisperer). By maximising my “career capital” (Cal Newport), Road B served to open new possibilities for me to make valuable contributions in research, education, and practice, and also, enabled me to strategically select a career pathway that could offer more secure employment prospects into the future.
At the start of 2023 I relocated to Melbourne (Australia) to begin the Master of Speech Pathology program at the University of Melbourne (UniMelb); the #1 University in Australia, and #34 ranked University in the world (THE). This new and exciting career direction marks a continuation of my passion for the voice and communication, in research, educational, and practice-based contexts, as well as an opportunity for me to challenge my learning and professional practices in new areas of the same.
As a qualified Speech Pathologist, I will be equipped to study, diagnose, and treat a range of communication disorders, and problems that can affect speech, language, and swallowing across the lifespan. Additionally, when paired with my existing portfolio of professional experiences as a voice professional, educator, and researcher of the voice, I will be optimally placed to clinically and artistically manage the vocal demands of the performing voice, including rehabilitating and optimising vocal technique for performers and professional voice users facing voice problems. I am excited to explore a career pathway that places care of others as the cornerstone and centre of practice—a focus that mirrors my personal values.
I look forward to sharing more news updates along my journey to becoming a Speech Pathologist and as always, thank you for your support; it’s great to have you in my corner!
For further information on Speech Pathology in Australia, or to find a certified practising Speech Pathologist (CPSLP) in your area, visit Speech Pathology Australia. For further information on the role of Speech Pathologists in an interdisciplinary voice care team, visit The Voice Foundation.