Unfortunately, I cannot go back through the years and pinpoint a specific day and time in which I decided to major in Communication Disorders. I think my decision was based on a cumulation of ideas that I had. First of all, I always knew that I wanted to have a career that revolved around helping people, specifically children. I can remember growing up in my church and having people "predict" what I would be when I grew up. Not surprisingly, nobody predicted correctly. (Actually, I have been amazed at how few people actually knew what a Speech Pathologist does) Some thought I would be a nurse, some thought I would own my own daycare, some thought I would be a teacher, and the list could go on........ I knew from the start that owing my own daycare wasn't exactly what I was looking to achieve in my life, although I guess if I have kids one day it will be like having my own daycare! I didn't want to be a teacher because I honestly didn't like the thought of spending my days in a cramped room with 20 screaming kids! I do value some sanity in my life. Yet I knew that there must be something out there that would be a perfect fit.

Around my Jr. and Sr. year, I began to hear more about speech pathologists. I remember mentioning something about the profession to my mom, and she told me that my neighbor was a Speech Pathologist. Being a graduate of the CD program at Marshall, I decided to ask her for some first hand advice. She was very helpful and very informative, and she wholeheartedly encouraged me to pursue a degree in CD. To me it seemed a great fit. I could work in a wide variety of settings with a wide variety of people, not to mention the fact that it would be a very rewarding profession. I wanted a career in which I could go home at the end of the day and KNOW that I had made a difference in someone's life.

Overall, I think that my neighbor was very influential in helping me to make my decision. She loves her work, and I want to experience that one day for myself. I still seek out her advice every semester because she had many of the same professors that we have. Sometimes you just need a little encouragement from someone who has already been victorious over something that seems so insurmountable.

I think that I have chosen a great profession, but I must admit that I have always had a 'burning' desire to go to Medical School. I just always knew that I had a lack of stamina, which is a pre-requisite for Med School. Sometimes I wonder if I will be one of those crazy people you hear about who go back to school to get another degree................ I don't believe that I sold myself short in any way by becoming a speech pathologist, but going to Medical School is still a dream that hasn't died yet. Who knows? I could be multi-talented! Seriously though, I am excited to see how my life progresses throughout the next few years!