Ten years ago today, I walked across the commencement stage at the University of Nevada, Reno for the second time and earned my Master of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology. I celebrated that day with my classmates, friends, colleagues, and family and started on my professional journey. The past ten years have been filled with many adventures, wonderful clients and families, and supportive colleagues many of whom I now call friends. Without these experiences, clients, and colleagues, I would not be the clinician I am today… Every experience has shaped my clinical knowledge and expertise. I am proud of the work I have done to help the clients and families I have crossed paths with over the past ten years. My job is never easy and is at times extremely frustrating and draining, but I would not change it for the world because just as difficult as it is there are many more joys, rewards, and satisfaction.
I experience the laughter and joy of children every day. I experience children learning new skills and overcoming obstacles. I experience children becoming more independent communicators. I experience families seeing their children complete skills that may not have been expected. I experience advocating for and supporting families and hopefully helping them see strengths where weaknesses might be more evident. I experience sharing my knowledge with families and colleagues that I worked many hours and years to learn. I experience working with passionate speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists who strive to change others’ lives through the work that they do. Last, I experience running a small business with my husband who is just as passionate about business as I am about speech-language pathology.
I would like to thank every professor, client, parent, colleague, friend, and family member that has supported me over the past ten years and has helped me continue to grow and learn… Tonight I will celebrate the past ten years, pause in the knowledge and experience I have gained, and look forward to what the next ten years might bring!
By: Shawna Ross, M.S., CCC-SLP
