Speech-Language Pathology

I. Personal Characteristics Making Me Suitable for the Profession I believe that I possess numerous personal characteristics that will contribute to my success as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Foremost, I am a very compassionate person and have resolved to dedicate my working life to helping others. For me, Speech-Language Pathology is not just a paycheck and a path to being able to afford a home and support a family. In order for me to feel I have a personally satisfying career, I need to know that my life's work will improve the lives of others. This genuine inner determination to make a difference in the world is a factor that helps me to bring passion to a career in Speech-Language Pathology. I will also feel very empathetic
Living so close to such a major city in the United States, I was interacting with people far different from me on a daily basis. I know families from a multitude of different cultures, racial heritages, and families with widely different economic statutes. Choosing to attend the University of Illinois certainly continued the path towards learning about and interacting with different people as well. My school has plenty of international students, exchange students, and professors from multiple countries and cultures. I have been exposed to different types of people my entire life. I have not only met different types of people, but also formed friendships and close personal relationships with people who were different from myself. I have found that these differences have posed no barrier to forming relationships and getting to know and value them as
I have learned that contrary to what people may initially think, the Deaf are not deaf people living in the English language’s culture. I have learned that the Deaf Culture is quite different than our own, and have taken a great deal of interest into understanding how often their needs and desires are overlooked simply because they are not known. Also, the way the hearing world views the members of the Deaf Community, and way they view themselves, are vastly different. I believe that the more you understand people, the better your ability to help them. I have a great passion for American Sign Language and Deaf Culture and intend to continue my path towards ASL fluency in efforts to interact with this unique and beautiful world, to which the average person is not exposed, and to also advocate for their