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“Like several of my classmates I received speech services while in elementary school. I knew that I wanted to work with people and once I learned just how flexible the profession of speech-language pathology is, I was sold.”
Sara was sure that Duquesne was the right place for her when she met with Department Chair Mikael Kimelman to talk about the SLP program. “The program was very new then, but he rolled out the blueprints of what was to come and I could see that it would be great,” she said. “When I met Dr. Garrett I could feel her energy. She truly loves the profession and her enthusiasm is inspiring!”
This energetic South Carolina native was a high-achiever in high school and participated in the marching band, school musical, basketball team and several service organizations. Although her interests changed a bit in college, she continued to balance a rigorous academic schedule with meaningful extracurricular activities, including a passion for rowing and service.
She coaches for a local high school rowing team and, is a member of the
Duquesne University chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing
Association (NSSLHA) chapter, participating in several service, social
and educational opportunities with that group.
With only one semester left until she graduates, Sara explains what she likes best about the profession. “There is so much variety. I could work with adults two days a week, elementary-aged kids another day and toddlers the next. Within the variety, though, is a certain degree of consistency and carryover; an activity that works with an adult can often be easily modified to become an activity for a young child.”
Sara is seeking employment in a school setting or with a private practice and is very pleased with the prospects that she is considering. She believes Duquesne has prepared her well for the challenges that lay ahead.
“The faculty truly cares about the students and is so knowledgeable!
I joke with my classmates sometimes that just sitting in a room with some of
the faculty I feel smarter,” she said. |
