Job hunting is…exciting? stressful? annoying? all of the above? Yeah, probably. I've been really working on what I want to do next, and even with my adventurous attitude, I find myself being drawn back into the schools. What's up with that?
So, here in my neck of the woods, it doesn't seem to hard to find a job in the schools. Florida is considered a ‘critical shortage area', which is probably not good for lots of reasons but it still plays in my favor. First step of my hunt? Contact the speech coordinator for the county I want to work in. The funny thing for me is that I am from this area and went to college there…so I actually did knew this person from a volunteer experience in grad school!
I did briefly consider the whole contract SLP thing. I know, they make SO much more money. But, I figure I should go after a district position to get my feet on the ground, then I can look into what else is available. Since I'm a mom, I gotta have things like health insurance and retirement, which most contract companies don't offer.
Other things I have looked into included the local university, a hospital outpatient clinic, and private practice. I just really still want the schedule of the schools…I love, love, love having my summers off. And while I hope to eventually move onto something else, I'm not ready to give them up just yet. I have a serious case of wanderlust, and I need those months off to get lost.
So far, I've applied for a full time position in an elementary school…eek! Now I wait. Cross your fingers and say a prayer for me, friends! If you have any great tips about job hunting, send them my way!
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Sounds like you’re weighing your lifestyle needs with the pros/cons of each setting. Aren’t we fortunate to have so many options. 🙂 I job shadowed in a SNF and a home health care setting two summers ago, and realize it just doesn’t suit my temperament or schedule preferences. I may explore outpatient peds at some point. But truthfully, if I worked year around I’d only want 3-4 days/week. I moved 8 years ago and was offered a job with every place I interviewed. So better to narrow down our setting preferences ahead of time. 🙂 Good luck, girl. Any place will be lucky to have you.
I just think about the schedule with every place I look at, and I really would miss the school schedule. I know each setting has pros and cons, but I think the population of elementary schools and the schedule are the most attractive to me. Thank you Nikki!
No great tips about job hunting as I am old and have not looked for a job in over 25 years! Any school district would be so lucky to have you! Let us know how it all turns out. I, too, love my elementary school kids and never wanted to be anywhere else.
Lol thanks Judy! I will keep you posted 🙂
You are amazing, Jenn! Any place would be lucky to have you! I don’t know that I have any great advice for job hunting, as I have only worked 1 place in the 4 years I’ve been practicing…but, my father in law, who used to do hiring, said he always looked to see what the person had done that was above and beyond what they were required to do at their job.. so for us, extra trainings/certifications, mentoring CFs/practicum students, serving on a school team, etc… But, I feel like you should just be able to be like “I don’t need a resume, just check out how awesome I am via my blog, and then make me an offer” .. ha ha 🙂 Best of luck!! Fingers crossed for you!
Kari is my favorite! Thank you so much! That’s a good point about the extras…sometimes those just feel like normal parts of our jobs, but they are definitely a little more!!
They may offer you that job this week! They can’t believe you fell into their lap!LOL! You are great from what I can tell and I just know they are not gonna wait long before calling you! That’s the power of the CCCs as well:) I just transferred within the same school district to another location & I say one tip would be to ask to see the room you will be in once they call you. That way you have an idea of what to bring with you when you “move in.” I hope this helps a little. Good luck to you!
One of my favorite parts about working in a school is, of course, the schedule! I think it gives us an amazing opportunity to do contract work in a hospital/SNF setting on breaks or during the summer to be able to keep up those ‘adult’ SLP skills. Plus, you can choose to say no if they call you for work and you just don’t want to 🙂 Good luck!!
So very true! Thanks girl! 🙂
The thing that scares me about going into contracting is that my schedule and work location can change every year or more! I have weighed the pros and cons and the schools are still most favorable for my family at this time. You can always work in the hospitals or private practice in the evenings or over summer (or just relax). Anyways, good luck on the job hunt!!
Agreed! And, in my area anyway, the contract placements are usually the ones that no one else wants…
Thanks, Felice!!
Congratulations on your new adventures! Even though you come with lots of experience, I would ask if your county has a SLP mentor for you to help navigate the first year. The paperwork/scheduling/RTI can all be a bit different in each school system, and a mentor can help answer questions and give you support. Good luck!
I totally agree, I will need someone to show me the ropes…I anticipate everything being different than what I’m used to, so I know there will be a learning curve…a mentor would be super helpful! Thanks girl!!
Jenn,
I hope that you consider middle school placements should any be available. I worked with K-5 grades for over 25 years when I made the switch. I have no regrets about my decision. It’s a wonderful new world for me, being able to review goals with students every trimester, having THEM take on the responsible for bringing me the materials they need to learn/review and discuss evaluation results (and why they qualify for S-L services). I agree with previous comments…..any placement would be lucky to have you.
Linda
I’ve been working with middle schoolers, my previous school was K-8! I loved them! I get most excited about the little ones…if they would let me hang out in kindergarten all day, I would! 🙂
They’d be crazy not to hire you!
Personally, I think when you have kids the schools are the place to be so you can spend time with them. And then you have the extra time to travel! By the time the kids get out of school, you’re so stuck on the school schedule that you don’t want to try a “real job” (as my husband says!) Plus, you can always contract on the side.
Good luck!!! 🙂
You’re too kind! Lol I love when people say ‘real job’ when referring to school SLPs. Silly folks have no idea how hard we work, do they?! Thank you, Mary!
Create a portfolio with samples of your work, including IEPs, eval reports, materials and photos when appropriate. I loved this the last time I was searching, because I could show them what I can offer.