Market Yourself [From a Distance]: How a 2020 SLP Grad Student Can Land That Clinical Fellow Interview
Written by: Allison Boyer, M.A., CCC-SLP
Dear 2020 SLP Graduate,
So you FINALLY finished all of that tedious coursework and were just settling into your clinical externship when your life--and let’s face it, the world--came to a screeching halt. It’s still hard to believe that when some of you chirped a friendly ‘goodbye’ to your clinical instructors on a Friday afternoon in March, that you wouldn’t step foot in that facility again. You feel cheated and worried about your future as a clinician. You’re not alone. You’re not the only one who feels both the burden of unfinished business, as well as the disappointment of not being able to give that externship everything you had. As a clinical instructor of countless graduate students and clinical fellows, I’m here to tell you that you will rise above this...and there are things you CAN control in this uncertain time in your career. Here are 5 expert tips [that can be completed on your couch with a glass of wine in hand] for landing that coveted CF Med SLP interview.
Everyone has a resume...but do you have a CEU Curriculum Vitae? Up your resume game and show the hiring managers you mean business with an organized list of continuing education courses that you’ve taken on your own time. Here is a list of my tried and true favorite online learning options (in no particular order):
MedSLP Collective (grad student discount available)
ASHA Learning Pass (graduate student member discount program)
Passy Muir NO COST courses on tracheostomy and ventilator-dependency
SPEAK OUT! Certification through Parkinson’s Voice Project
Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) is currently the only way to obtain certification in the standardization of the MBSS assessment
Any class by Dr. James Coyle on Northern Speech Services
Dr. Eric Blicker’s online Basic FEES course
Kelsey Day’s “Clinical Writing for Dysphagia Diagnostics” Course (Available in August with a discount for graduate students and new graduates)
Dr. Ianessa Humbert’s Critical Thinking in Dysphagia Management
BONUS Course: Julia Kuhn’s (a.k.a. Instagram’s The Traveling Traveler) Interview 101 Course (Not clinically-oriented, but absolutely worth mentioning)
Write a Stellar Cover Letter
It’s TOO easy to skip this step in the application process. Oftentimes, cover letters are listed as optional in the online application portal. Remember--you want your profile to be noticed and not given the once over. Some pro tips: customize each cover letter by using the organization's name at least twice in the body of the letter. Illustrate your clinical interests and how you’re the best candidate for the job. Talk about both your short and long term career goals. Highlight the fact that the combination of your knowledge and their clinical foundations could provide for a mutually beneficial experience for both yourself and the organization.
Volunteer and Give Back
As of late, we’ve all had times where we’ve felt a little sorry for ourselves. Life as we knew it can sometimes seem like a distant memory. Although this isn’t an easy time for any of us, we still owe it to ourselves and to our [future] patients to feel grateful for our health and inspired by change. The Dysphagia Outreach Project is led by Hillary Cooper, CCC-SLP, Founder and President, as well as a team of volunteer and like-minded SLPs. It is a newly established 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization that aims to “collect and distribute dysphagia supplies to individuals in need, establish a dysphagia awareness advocacy program, provide education services relating to appropriate prescription and use of dysphagia supplies, and assist in establishing a network of interconnected dysphagia support groups across the country.” The Dysphagia Outreach Project is a charitable startup that’s quickly gaining national traction. If you want to get in on the action, help maximize the quality of life for people living with dysphagia, and acquire an insanely impressive resume booster then visit dysphagiaoutreach.org to donate via Venmo or Paypal (every dollar counts!), or sign up to become a volunteer.
Network with Colleagues and Keep up with Research
So you completed all of your graduate-level courses and you're ready to hit those hospital floors running. Even though you have what it takes to present at an ICU Grand Rounds, trust me, there are still some important nuggets of clinical wisdom that you MUST learn. Have you heard of the Three Pillars of Pneumonia (Ashford, 2005)? What about the Predictors of Aspiration Pneumonia (Langmore, 2002)? Sound overwhelming? Subscribe to our newsletter below for an easy way to stay up to date on the wonderful word of medical speech pathology.
Consider networking with other local SLP’s by starting a journal club or organizing a happy hour. This can be a great way to speak with like minded people, hear about potential opportunities, AND have fun in the process. If you happen to live in NY or NJ, we are creating a Med SLP virtual discussion group to network, collaborate, and learn from each other. E-mail George@FEESibleSwallowSolutions.co to find out more.
Podcasts
Last, but certainly not least, podcasts hold a special place in my heart. Theresa Richard’s “Swallow Your Pride” podcast was the impetus that got me off of “Dysphagia Island” and into evidence-based practice. I ask all of my prospective clinical fellows and graduate students to listen to select episodes from each of these podcasts before starting a placement with me--yes, these FREE sources of information can be that important to your career as a Medical SLP. Start listening today and let me know which episode was earth-shattering for you!
Theresa Richard’s “Swallow Your Pride”
Ianessa Humbert and Alicia Vose’s “Down The Hatch”
Leigh Ann Porter’s “Speech Uncensored”
Before I leave you to start leveling up your resumes and cover letters, I want to offer you a little bonus tip: APPLY EVERYWHERE AND DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF. In less than 5 years, I went from a CF in a small, wonderful suburban SNF to a clinical supervisor within a large healthcare network of hospitals and rehab centers. As a seasoned therapist, I can tell you that no setting is “better.” They’re just clinically different. I always tell my students that I credit all of my therapy and thorough intervention skills to the SNF setting and I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. Don’t pigeonhole yourself because you think you want something different. Go to EVERY interview--even if just for practice. You might be surprised what you find.
Give this your everything and success will undoubtedly find you. Now, give that SimuCase a (short) break and start taking advanced courses, or beefing up that resume and cover letter. I’ll tell you this much--I can’t wait to work alongside a future SLP like you.
Citations:
Ashford, J. R. (2005). Pneumonia: Factors Beyond Aspiration. Perspectives in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia), 14, 10-16.
Langmore SE1, Skarupski KA, Park PS, Fries BE. (2002). Predictors of aspiration pneumonia in nursing home residents. (Dysphagia), 17(4), 298-307.
Allison has over 6 years of experience in the evaluation and treatment of over 1,000 patients with dysphagia. She is a member of ASHA Special Interest Group 13 (Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders), Dysphagia Research Society, and the New Jersey Speech-Language Hearing Association. Allison is an ASHA ACE Award recipient for her dedication towards continuing education in the field of dysphagia. She has recently been elected by a board of her peers as the Head of Fundraising for The Dysphagia Outreach Project, a national non-profit organization dedicated towards providing support for underserved individuals with dysphagia. Allison has completed advanced FEES training under Dr. Eric Blicker, BCSS, and has successfully implemented and managed FEES programs at the corporate level.
