All of my life, all I ever talked about was becoming this great electrical/aerospace engineer. Even my first year of college at WVU (of which I cringe upon discussion) my major was aerospace engineering. As I began to develop my inner-self during my first year of college, I began to realize that design and research is not my cup of tea. I came home after my first year of college distressed and confused. My family has been in the teaching profession for over 20 years. That summer I began to watch my mom perform her magic in her in-services and presentations. Even though I dont plan to go into the education field, the idea of public service sunk deep in my mind as a pontential career path. My mom told me to talk to my cousin, Mr. Flannery and some other speech therapists about their field and their work. I had always seen them in the schools, but didnt really know their true function. So, I decided before going back my 2nd year to WVU, to switch my major into speech pathology for 2 reasons. 1. I loved the interaction between client and clinician. It was personable, but formal. 2. After seeing clinical, meaning in a hospital setting, intervention I realized that this is me. This is what my calling in life is. A public service in the health care field. So I changed my major to Speech Pathology and Audiology and transferred to Marshall and here I am today, typing in one of my final classes before graduation next spring and movement into graduate school. The one thing about being a speech pathologist that drew me to this field, and I didnt realize it until last year, is the fact that I think that any professional should be able to grasp the ideas and concepts and be able to apply those in everyday situations. Thats the way I feel. I enjoy this material. I enjoy applying what I learn.

The one area of this field that really appeals to my interest is neurogenic disorders. Since I have begun to work with TBI patients, the areas of swallowing and speech & language deficits associated with neurogenic disorders have really appealed to me. The speech therapist that works with our clients is really creative and smart, making the learning experience that much better. It is these learning experiences and the ability to see, face to face, the effects of what we do, or rather eventually do. Thus, in the end, that will hopefully make me strive to be the best in my field... A Speech Pathologist.