Career-Related Services

Career-Related Services Career Counseling Graduate School Planning Career Resource Library Career Assessments Internship Planning Credentials Services Hours Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm 512-232-8400 Jester A115 utexas.edu/ugs/csacc

Communication Sciences & Disorders

Career Options for Communication Sciences and Disorders Majors This booklet contains specific information about majoring in communication sciences and disorders at The University of Texas at Austin, as well as career opportunities related to this major. Most careers in this field require further education and/or certification beyond the undergraduate degree. An undergraduate degree may suffice for certain technical roles, such as ear technician. Job seekers with undergraduate degrees may also find employment in related fields, such as services for those with disabilities, vocational rehabilitation, child development, and special education. Please use this booklet as an idea generator, rather than as a comprehensive list of all career options for communication sciences and disorders majors. The career descriptions were obtained from the Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling (CSA&CC) library and career websites (see listing of sources on last page). For communication sciences and disorders majors, there are many career options that require a master s or doctoral degree but do not require any particular undergraduate degree. Examples of these include law, international affairs, museum administration, library and information studies, hospital administration, and many more. For careers requiring graduate education, please visit our library or speak to a career counselor. The CSA&CC offers many other services and resources to help you with your career planning. These include: Career Counseling Career Assessment Career Information Library Internship Information Graduate School Planning Assistance Visit our website at utexas.edu/ugs/csacc or call 232-8400 for more information. Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling, UT Austin Page 1

Majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders at The University of Texas at Austin Departmental Website: csd.utexas.edu Campus Location: CMA 7.214 Phone Number: 471-4119 DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR Communication Sciences and Disorders involves understanding and treating challenges in speech, language, and hearing throughout the entire lifespan of human development. Speech and language impairments include voice disorders (such as hoarseness, breathiness, or inconsistencies of volume and/ or pitch), articulation problems, fluency problems (such as stuttering), aphasia (the inability to produce and/or comprehend language, usually as a result of brain trauma), phonological problems, and delays in speech or language. Hearing impairments include partial hearing and deafness. AREAS OF STUDY Audiology Deafness Studies/Deaf Education Speech-Language Pathology EXAMPLES OF COURSES CSD 306K Introduction to Communication Disorders. Introduction to the study of processes and disorders of speech, language, and hearing; observation in the University Speech and Hearing Center. CSD 308K Perspectives on Deafness Examination of deafness from a number of perspectives: social and psychological meanings of deafness, the deaf community, education of children who are deaf, sign languages, and historical trends. Page 2 Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling, UT Austin

CSD 313L. Hearing Science. Acoustical, physiological, and psychological bases of normal human hearing; theories of audition; laboratory techniques in hearing science research. CSD 367K Introduction to Speech and Language Disorders Assessment and Treatment in Children. Introduction to assessment procedures and treatment strategies for children with speech and language disorders. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Skills gained by Communication Sciences and Disorders Majors: Critical Thinking Researching Presenting and writing Facilitating groups Working in a lab setting Conducting individual assessments Overview of Communication Sciences and Disorders Speech and hearing scientists and professionals address a wide variety of communications disorders involving speech, language, and hearing. Examples include voice disorders, articulation problems, fluency problems, the inability to produce or comprehend language, problems producing sounds needed for speech, delays in speech and language development, and problems with partial hearing and deafness. Professionals in this field strive to understand and treat these communication challenges throughout the entire lifespan of human development from early childhood through old age. SPECIALITIES WITHIN COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS Audiology involves the evaluation and treatment of hearing disorders and the rehabilitation of individuals with hearing loss. Certified audiologists work in a variety of settings where they Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling, UT Austin Page 3

scientifically measure hearing ability in children and adults, identify the presence and severity of identified hearing problems, and help people adjust to hearing aids and other assistive listening devices. Deafness studies/deaf education covers issues related to deaf culture and the community, language and speech development in deaf students, and sign communication. Professionals in this field provide direct teaching and tutorial services, consult with regular classroom teachers, advise administrators on appropriate mainstreaming techniques and placement, educate and counsel both parents and teachers, and meet the needs of deaf/hearingimpaired individuals in a variety of ways. Speech-Language Pathology involves the evaluation and treatment of pharyngeal communication and swallowing problems in children and adults. For example, certified speechlanguage pathologists work in settings such as preschools, public schools, hospitals, free-standing clinics, and nursing homes with people who experience difficulty articulating sounds, putting words together in a sentence, remembering names of objects following a stroke, swallowing without choking, and compensating for the loss of voice following surgical removal of the larynx. Direct Job Opportunities Audiologist, Account Manager Be fully informed on all aspects of the hearing or language assistance devices offered by the company. Develop and maintain relationships with customers in the sales territory with regular contact and support. Provide fitting support either at customer clinics or by telephone as required. Maintain up to date knowledge of competitor products, be fully informed of the company s competitive advantages and potential weaknesses, and keep customers aware of product strengths. Work with internal staff, such as customer service, production, and quality control regarding customer feedback and any customer issues. Page 4 Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling, UT Austin

Corporate Speech-Language Pathologist Provide services to a company, or its customers, as a consultant. Offer assessment and training in many aspects of communication, such as articulation, fluency, voice, language and hearing education. Offer specific business-related services, such as presentation skills, foreign and regional accent modification, professional diction and grammar, interviewing skills, business writing and business communication etiquette. Train customer representatives to work with their clients with hearing loss. Deaf Education Intervention Specialist Teach learners from ages 3 through 21, and grades prekindergarten through 12, who have been identified with a hearing impairment (e.g., deaf or hard of hearing). Modify the general education curriculum for deaf students based upon a variety of instructional techniques and technologies. Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children s progress, and to determine their priorities for their children and their resource needs. Dispensing Hearing Care Provider Working with a private company that dispenses a variety of instruments, provide patients with diagnosis and counseling, hearing aid dispensing and fitting, aural rehabilitation, community outreach and education, and professional outreach and education. Executive of a Non-Profit Hearing and Speech Center Build relationships with key stakeholders to sustain and advance the mission of the agency. Use strategic thinking skills with an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. Utilize administrative and managerial skills developed through experience in clinical, human services or educational institutions. Hospital Audiologist Measure hearing ability of individuals of all ages, including infants. Administer and interpret screening, assessment, and diagnostic procedures. Provide aural rehabilitation counseling about handling communication situations at home, work, and school to reduce the effects of hearing loss. Assess the benefit of amplification devices, such as hearing aids. Collaborate with Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling, UT Austin Page 5

teams of professionals, individuals, and families of caregivers on strategies to meet the communication needs of children or adults with hearing loss. Hospital Speech-Language Pathologist Diagnose and treat a wide range of communication disorders. Diagnose and treat swallowing problems. Function as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team. Provide counseling to patients and their families. Educate other health care staff about communication and swallowing disorders. Industrial Audiologist Plan and execute a program of hearing conservation for workers. Develop organizational policies and procedures and establish evaluative or operational criteria for the program. Create instructional materials and conduct in-service educational programs. Inspect facilities for compliance with regulations and recommend building or equipment modifications. Pediatric Audiologist Assess and manage treatment of children with hearing loss, including dispensing amplification and use of hearing aid verification strategies. Identify possible causes of hearing loss by evaluating family histories of early hearing loss and staying abreast of the many syndromes associated with hearing impairments so as to offer the best course of treatment for each client. Project Manager, University-based Institute for Disabilities Under the direction of an executive director, write grants and assist with project administration. Help maintain relationships with agencies external to the university and provide community service to the disability community. Public Health Speech-Language Pathologist/Audiologist Provide consultative services to various agencies, contractual service, or direct services to patients. For example, visit patients in their homes to determine patient and family needs, develop a plan to meet needs, and provide services. Assist community members and health field personnel to assess, plan for, and provide needed health and related services. Page 6 Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling, UT Austin

Rehabilitation Coordinator Coordinate and direct resident care to optimize resident safety and reduce the likelihood of medical/healthcare errors and ensure residents needs are met and facility policy is followed. Rehabilitation Counselor Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, or the stress of daily life. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement. School Audiologist Serve as a member of the educational team in the evaluation, planning, and placement process for students with hearing loss or other auditory disorders. Collaborate with the school, parents, teachers, special support personnel, and relevant community agencies and professionals to ensure delivery of appropriate services. Create and administer programs for the prevention of hearing loss. School Speech-Language Pathologist Conduct screenings and diagnostic evaluations. Provide individual and small group services to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children, and adolescents or teach full-time in a special education classroom setting with students who have speech-language disorders. Collaborate with other professionals and parents to facilitate a student s academic and social skills in an educational environment. Sign Language Interpreter Convert between spoken language and sign language, either working simultaneously in pairs, each interpreting for 20 to 30 minutes, as is done in conferences or the courts, or consecutively for one-to-one communications. May involve researching subject matter that the speakers will discuss to create a list of common words and phrases associated with the topic. Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling, UT Austin Page 7

Speech/Language/Hearing Researcher Work at one of a number of institutes and laboratories, conducting research on topics, such as the epidemiology (risk factors and disease prevalence) of various communication disorders. University Professor of Speech/Language Pathology Teach undergraduate and graduate level courses. Work closely with speech-language pathology clinical staff. Direct student research. Develop a research program in an area of expertise. More Job Opportunities Academic Advisor for Students with Disabilities Advise students at all levels about selection of courses, schedule planning, and other academic issues as they pertain to the students specific needs. May present seminars and workshops and develop and implement academic programs and refer students to other campus resources. Clinical Assistant Interview patients to obtain medical information. Prepare patients for the examination. Record patients medical history, vital statistics and information such as test results in medical records. Explain procedures to patients. Help medical specialists examine and treat patients, handing them instruments and materials or performing other tasks. Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean. Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies. Disability Eligibility Interviewer Interview and investigate applicants for public assistance. Interpret and explain information such as eligibility requirements, application details, payment methods, and applicants legal rights. Initiate procedures to grant, modify, deny, or terminate assistance, or refer applicants to other agencies for assistance. Page 8 Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling, UT Austin

Ear Technician Assist audiologists in their work by working with clients to ensure proper fit of hearing devices and instructing clients about their care. Fit workers at noisy job sites with customized ear molds to protect against dangerous noise levels. Equal Opportunity Representative/ Officer Investigate employment practices and alleged violations of laws to document and correct discriminatory factors. Meet with persons involved in equal opportunity complaints to verify case information, and arbitrate and settle disputes. Conduct surveys and evaluate findings in order to determine if systematic discrimination exists. Develop guidelines for non-discriminatory employment practices, and monitor their implementation and impact. Special Event Planner Plan, organize, and implement special events for charity and nonprofit fundraising. Consult with client, manage budget, supervise vendors, and perform follow-up assessment. Special Event Planner Plan, organize, and implement special events for clinics, non-profit agencies, or individuals. Consult with client, manage budget, supervise vendors, and perform follow-up assessment. Examples of special events include open houses, charity fundraisers, rallies, concerts, and festivals. Organizer for Disabled Youth Manage and administer youth and community projects and resources. Assess the needs of the participants and plan and deliver relevant programs of personal and social education via discussions, arts-based activities, community/environmental projects, residential activities, and outdoor/sports activities. Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling, UT Austin Page 9

SOURCES Opportunities in Speech-Language Pathology Careers by Patricia Larkens Hicks. McGraw-Hill, 2006 American Speech-Language Association: asha.org American Academy of Audiology: hearcareers.audiology.org Career Planner.com: careerplanner.com/job-descriptions Kent State University, Deaf Education: dept.kent.edu/sped/deaf. htm Occupational Outlook Handbook: bls.gov/oco/ O*Net Occupational Information Network: online.onetcenter.org Texas Department of State Health Services State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology: dshs. state.tx.us/speech/sp_aonline.shtm UT Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders: csd.utexas.edu Page 10 Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling, UT Austin