Hey Teigan!
What a forward thinking question! It's ironic that Carolyn said so many graduate students enter the work force feeling like they are armed with all the knowledge and skills they need for the rest of their career, because I entered my clinical fellowship year feeling the opposite! We all have a good foundation of skills and clinical experiences after graduate school, but I think the best thing I did to set myself up for leadership is knowing that I was going to be a "forever student." Every meeting, publication, and conference is an opportunity to learn something new.
Even with that mindset, I wish I had worked sooner to keep myself in the loop with the changes in the fields of other professionals that we work with so closely - occupational therapists, physical therapists, special education teachers, nurses, too many to name. While I may not subscribe to the research journals geared toward these professionals, I have found it to be so beneficial to listen to their expertise and ask questions. So many of our patients/clients/students require a multidisciplinary team for treatment and I think building a certain level of interest/respect goes a long way for building a career as a leader.
Good luck as you finish graduate school!
Sara
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Sara Taylor, M.A., CCC-SLP
Watkinsville, GA
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-15-2018 01:47 PM
From: Teigan Beck
Subject: What do you wish you had known as you started your pathway to leadership?
Greetings from Utah,
My name is Teigan Beck and I currently serve as the NSSLHA President Elect and I love this leadership community. The discussion that is generated here really helps me to know what I should do now and where my pathway to leadership might lead next.
I want to know... what do you wish you had known as you started your pathway to leadership?
Whether you are well experienced or just finding your groove, let me know your advice for students and early professionals looking to begin their pathway to leadership.
Thanks in advance!
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Teigan Beck
Utah State University SLP Graduate Student
Logan, UT
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