Charlotte is a first year BSc Speech and Language Therapy student.
How did you develop an interest in Speech and Language and why did you choose to study this?
I have 3 siblings with autism – 2 of whom are nonverbal with sensory processing difficulties. As one of their carers, helping their communication skills develop is one of the things that I find important. This is why I first started to learn Makaton.
After I left college I was stuck on what I wanted to do as a career. I knew that I wanted to work with people and improve people’s lives. I ended up working in a special school as a Learning Support Assistant and worked my way up to becoming the Speech and Language Therapist Assistant.
After working with them I realised that Speech and Language Therapy was the career for me, so I decided to pursue it and study it as a degree.
What has been your favourite module so far and why?
Articulatory Phonetics is my favourite because it has been fun to learn a new skill and be able to use it.
I also really like the way the module is taught and the lecturer is amazing at knowing how to pace the teaching ensuring that no one gets left behind.
What activities are you involved in outside of your studies?
I am a student rep for my course. It is reassuring to know that our voices as students are being heard, and any concerns we may have are being taken into consideration to make improvements.
I also am a School Liaison Student Ambassador. As an ambassador I have the opportunity to get paid to represent City at career fairs in different schools and support schools visiting our campus.
I have also been able to give presentations about my student life. I really enjoy being an ambassador because I find being able to help people in their journeys fulfilling.
Having the opportunity to meet new people who I would now consider some of my closest friends is something I have enjoyed most about my time here.
I have also enjoyed some of the events that the Student Union at City holds, such as the silent disco and movie nights.
How have you found the teaching on your course?
You can feel the lecturers expertise come out in their teaching. It is also clear how much they care about us as students and want us to succeed.
Sometimes the content can be heavy or fast, but they are always ready to support us if we are struggling.
How have you benefited from the facilities available at City?
As someone who has come back to education after a few years out, the Academic Team have also been amazing with boosting my confidence in things like academic writing and referencing.
I also really like how City has it’s own in-house Speech and Language centre which gives us students the opportunity to provide clinical services and gain experience.
What do you plan to do after you graduate?
At this moment I would like to work with autistic children and children with complex needs who have communication difficulties. I would like to work with children who need Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC).
I would preferably like to work in a Special School. But who knows, by the time I graduate I might change my mind.
What would be your advice to anyone considering studying BSc SLT?
Try and get some experience volunteering or working along side a Speech and Language Therapist so you can get an insight in exactly what the profession is like.
I would also recommend doing some pre-reading before you start the course so when you start learning the content not everything is new to you.
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