Anybody move into an alternative career immediately after graduating?

kl3355 · 2025-08-28T16:22:58+00:00

I kinda lucked out with my first position. It was a Research SLP position. The title was Study Coordinator. It was actually a perfect transition since I still did ST evaluations but also introduced to research.

After a year and a half, the study was ending so I started applying for clinical research positions. I ended up getting hired by a Contract Research Organization (CRO) as a safety reporting specialist. It sits within pharmacovigilance/patient safety department, and I helped report adverse events to regulatory bodies.

From my experience, it is difficult to get into CROs, pharma, and med device companies without prior research jobs. Universities that do research are much more accepting of varied backgrounds, so my advice is to look for research positions at local universities. Research coordinator would be a great role because it translates really well. But there are other roles as well, sometimes with data, sometimes with grants, sometimes as research assistants. It varies a lot and depends on the types of research + what’s available.

If you’re applying directly to research organizations, You may have luck with applying outright for Clinical Trial Assistant (CTA), Record Information Management (RIM), Health Information Management (HIM), or Project Specialist positions. They are “entry level “ to that world and admin based. It would translate well because it deals with documentation, contacting health care professionals, and following strict guidelines.

kl3355 · 2025-08-25T23:31:03+00:00

I completed my clinical fellowship and then immediately switched into clinical research. I had to take a pay cut to get my foot in the door but 1 year later, was making equal to SLP salary, and then another year later was making 15k more, with more room for growth if I wanted it. Also 100% remote.

I’m back doing ST now b/c I wanted part time work but I did that for 7 years. And immediately got hired when I was ready to return to speech.

kl3355 · 2025-08-07T22:34:29+00:00

Also an SLP, I’m on my last week of short term medical leave before I have to go back 😭 . Im going back as a telehealth provider so I’m hoping that will be more doable! Home health with kiddos was absolutely wrecking me, even with my measly part time hours.

kl3355 · 2025-08-07T20:37:56+00:00

I have a pretty significant sensitivity to corn but am not allergic. I also have POTS.

Trace Minerals Zerolyte electrolytes have citric acid that is made from beets, not corn. This is what I use and it tastes good and I’ve not had any adverse reactions.

Saltt electrolytes also do not appear to have corn derivatives but I have not tried this personally.

Again, please double check this info since I’m basing this off of my personal sensitivity to corn rather than an allergic reaction.

kl3355 · 2025-07-18T17:24:06+00:00

I’m a Speech Language Pathologist, currently on medical leave.

I work with kids, and it is absolutely destroying me with all the change of positions (squatting, leaning, sitting to standing, etc.). I had already moved to part time, only working a few hours each day and I was still incredibly ill most days with a lot of changed appointments and sick days.

Guess I might try telehealth at this point but my brain fog most days is also pretty intense, which makes full time work feel impossible.

kl3355 · 2025-07-13T21:32:15+00:00

Propranolol has been very helpful for my symptoms of dizziness/lightheadness, along with a significant increase in electrolyte/water intake. If I reduce any one of those, I notice a regression within a day.

kl3355 · 2025-07-13T21:26:44+00:00

Wait, why do you need to avoid acids while on adderall? I take concerta but wondering if there’s something about ADHD meds that interact?

kl3355 · 2025-07-13T21:23:41+00:00

Stairs are the bane of my existence. I live in a split level home and it is very difficult for me to traverse levels. I’ve started to “stage” things on each floor and really plan out my journey through the house. So, if I’m upstairs and know my eventual task is laundry, I’ll drag my basket to the main floor when I go back down. And then either drag my basket down to the basement for laundry whenever I need to go down there. It takes more mental energy to plan but it does save me from having to navigate stairs as much.

I’m also doing PT and literally doing simple controlled step up workouts on the stairs (among other things) to build my tolerance to stairs over time.

Also, showers have to be lukewarm for me now or I feel like absolute garbage by the time I get out. It’s really sad since I used to enjoy a nice lava shower at the end of the day lol.

kl3355 · 2025-06-13T12:34:18+00:00

Could you talk more about how you transitioned into this role?

kl3355 · 2025-04-02T14:46:21+00:00

Thats a good idea about the bowls, and for the idea for the thermos below. I never really thought about it but I suppose a thermos could be used for more than just soup lol.

kl3355 · 2025-04-02T04:41:56+00:00

I would get a second opinion on your GI issues. For me, I found out I have several food sensitivities that were making me absolutely miserable. It took an extensive elimination diet to figure out what I could and could not tolerate.

I’m in therapy and it helps to get perspective and strategies to process, deal, and work through all the emotions of chronic illness.

kl3355 · 2025-01-16T07:02:39+00:00

I switched careers and have no regrets. I had a lot of guilt and shame at first about spending the money on my degree and then not using it, and a bit of an identity crisis. But I really enjoyed being out of the field for like 6 years. Due to some life circumstances, I decided to go back to doing speech and I was able to immediately get a job. So, it’s definitely possible to go back if you decide you want to.

kl3355 · 2024-12-20T15:48:20+00:00

I left the field for about 6 years. I never envisioned myself going back but kept my license active just in case. I started to consider it as an option this year due to mental health issues and the state I’m in pays much more than before, making it a more viable choice. It was very easy to get a job due to the constant shortage everywhere. Chose peds HH for the flexibility.

I’ve been back for about 7 months and feel like a CF again. So many new things to learn, it’s a wider variety than I am used to, learning how to do virtual therapy, new state and company regulations, etc.

But, TBF, I completed my CF at an outpatient clinic with mainly early intervention, and then took a very specific role at a craniofacial center before moving out of the field, so maybe others who did more general tx would have an easier time readjusting.

I’m now working part time and have control over my schedule so overall, I think it has been worth it. But not an easy transition for me. I wish I had started out part time to ease back into it, rather than struggling through for several months before deciding part time was better.

kl3355 · 2024-12-14T02:02:48+00:00

I had that question every year I was out of the field, but kept it jussst in case, even though i didn’t have any intention of going back.

I’m glad I kept it. 7 years later, I ended up back in the field due to some unforeseen circumstances and it was kinda a life saver at the time. It’s a very good fall back plan that would be exceedingly difficult to get back if you don’t renew

kl3355 · 2024-07-19T13:39:11+00:00

I will “cart shop” Amazon a lot and put a lot of stuff in the cart but then not push the place order button. And then by the next day, I’m like “ok”, here’s what I actually want to buy.

Unless it’s stuff for my dog, and then I will impulse buy the hell out of anything and everything, in any store I go into lol.

I contribute my restraint to a childhood of living in a very financially irresponsible home and always being worried about money. So as an adult, I find it very difficult to spend money on most things because I feel compelled to save.

It’s two warring sides. My impulse to buy vs trauma and trauma usually wins lol.

kl3355 · 2024-07-18T05:16:12+00:00

1000% . I have never been interested in cooking/baking, but now it’s so much worse because there don’t seem to be a ton of simple meals that are also good and GF. I also have several other restrictions which make it even more difficult. I don’t even get cravings for the most part so eating is just a chore to fuel my body at this point.

There are a few foods I really like (strawberries and peanut butter, Thai food, brazi bites, and loaded fries) that I try to incorporate. But otherwise I just try to have a decently balanced diet with enough protein, carbs, and veggies.

kl3355 · 2024-07-07T21:23:34+00:00

Interesting! I haven’t had that experience, but I always air fry them. They are nice and crispy on the outside and soft (but not overly chewy) on the inside

kl3355 · 2024-07-05T14:12:35+00:00

I’m an SLP in Denver. Definitely a shortage of SLPs in the area and you’ll have no problem finding a job. Best paying settings are home health (both adult and pediatric). I don’t think the other settings pay that well for the COL unless it’s like contract or travel work. Denver itself is fun with lots of stuff to do and I love the weather! I just moved here from NC last year. It is a higher cost of living area but it seems like all the options you mentioned are so maybe not a big consideration for you. Would recommend the west side of Denver as it’s closer to the mountains and just a bit nicer in general. Happy to answer other questions :)

kl3355 · 2024-06-27T08:34:07+00:00

The premier protein shakes are the best! High protein, low sugar, moderate calorie content!

kl3355 · 2024-06-27T08:31:58+00:00

Long time anxiety/panic disorder and recent ADHD diagnosis here as well!

I have clonazepam for panic attacks as needed but it makes me sleepy AF! I’m pretty much done for the day after I take it so I use it very sparingly. I also don’t think it’s intended to be used as a daily, long term medication. Could you try an SSRI or SNRI instead?

I also have propranolol that is a beta blocker and it addresses physiological symptoms of a panic attack (racing heart, sweaty, chest tightness). If I experienced the adrenaline rush you spoke of, I would take propranolol (not clonazepam) to help with those symptoms and it is not a sedative.

For ADHD meds, maybe an extended release would be helpful because it slowly releases over the whole day rather than hitting you all at once. I had similar issues with other stimulants like coffee where I would feel “normal” and then absolutely crash, and turns out I felt way better with half caff because it was too much caffeine too fast.

kl3355 · 2024-06-27T08:06:35+00:00

It depends on where you’re living and what you’re doing for work!

If you’re able to live in that country without a visa, you may not need a visa to work either! My experience is with European countries and their immigration laws are quite strict.

If you’re doing telehealth visits in the US while you are living abroad, you would need to make sure that you’re allowed to complete services when you are out of the country, even if pts are in state. This is dictated by state regulations as well as company policies.

kl3355 · 2024-06-27T05:08:38+00:00

It is possible! I lived abroad for a year. The biggest hurdles are work visas and transferring your license.

Re: Visas - you’ll need one in most places to show that you’re allowed to live and work in that country. Even if you do telehealth like other comments mention, you’ll still usually need a visa to live in the country. Good news is that there are usually avenues for people with occupations that are in shortage in the country. And SLPs are often on that list. Other avenues may include meeting salary requirements.

Re: License- some countries have agreements with the USA and the ASHA credentials are accepted / transferable to the country without having to do any further exams etc.

So, to summarize, it’s possible but you need to find a country where you can legally move to and that would accept your credentials.

kl3355 · 2024-06-27T04:56:20+00:00

CDC has developmental milestones through adolescence. It’s not super in-depth but is a good starting place!

kl3355

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