Here I am presenting my poster presentation at the ASHA Convention!
Author: Hannah Babin | Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders | Semester: Fall 2022
My name is Hannah Babin, and I am a senior in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program and minoring in Human Development and Family Sciences. My project looked at how paraprofessionals (AKA teachers aids) function in school-based settings in Ireland versus the United States. After looking at their role in both countries, I related my findings back to the role of a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and discussed the interprofessional interaction between SLPs, special education teachers, and paraprofessionals to bring back opportunities to improve in the United States. I presented my honors project at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. My presentation included being stationed at my poster for 90 minutes to answer questions about my project. This experience made me realize that there is always something to learn as an SLP. Going into the conference, I was worried that I didn’t know enough to present my work and that the SLPs at the conference would not want to learn about my project. In contrast, I had several SLPs come and talk to me about my project and congratulate me on my hard work. I even had the opportunity to discuss with another SLP who completed research in Ireland themselves and learn more.
Furthermore, this conference really encouraged me to critically think about my project findings. Professionals asked me questions during my presentation time that I hadn’t considered, and this allowed me to really understand how my findings related to our field. Not only did I learn more about my project during my time at the conference, but I also had the opportunity to network with graduate schools. There were several graduate schools that had booths at the conference. This allowed me to learn more about the graduate programs and meet a representative from the graduate school itself. Information from the booths will help me with the graduate application process and with choosing a graduate program. I also got to meet SLPs from across the country. Hearing about their experiences expanded my knowledge on my future career and gave me an idea of what it might be like to practice in a different place. In addition, I met many of my peers at the “National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association Lounge” at the ASHA Convention. This was a great experience because I was able to discuss graduate programs with students who have already been admitted into a program. I now have more insight and personal information about graduate programs.
Overall, my ASHA convention experience was beneficial to my future graduate endeavors. If I was to give any advice to students attending the 2023 ASHA Convention, I’d tell them to go into the conference confidently and be open to learning. All the SLPs have once been in our shoes, so they understand how we feel and want to see us succeed. We are the future of our field! Now that I have finished my presentation, my next step is to start working on graduate school applications. I feel prepared to take on the higher-level coursework in graduate school after my ASHA Convention experience.