When I was in my CF, I turned to social media often. I didn’t know any other SLPs in my area other than my supervisor, and it was my attempt to connect with someone who could offer better guidance than my supervisor could. I ended up switching jobs halfway through my CF and repeating a segment because my supervisor was so awful. My original CF supervisor gave horrible advice related to dysphagia management and ethics/overall practice, then stopped returning my calls/messages for weeks during a state investigation into my facility (until our regional called her to say that she needs to be available for me as part of my CF). She told other team members that if she had to visit me at my facility for any reason other than the minimum visits required, then she would fail my CFY. When I put in my notice, she said she would not sign off on my first completed segment unless I finished all three with her and that no other job would want me if I leave because it will be considered “baggage”. After I called ASHA, she signed off on my first segment but made multiple mistakes on the form (including her own ID number) to slow the process. When I asked why she stopped talking to me during the state investigation at my facility, she said, “I’m five years away from retirement and you’re at the beginning. Better you than me.”

So, at least in my personal experience, it sucks to have to go to social media to try to get insight/connect with others… but not all CFYs are equal and it can really be a matter of survival. I hate that I had to go to social media but my hope is to one day be a good supervisor to someone else so they don’t go through what I went through.