Career Exploration

Career development is a lifelong process of self-discovery, career exploration, gaining meaningful experiences, intentional reflection, and career decision-making and planning. Utilize CLA Career Services staff and resources to help you navigate your career development process.

For more information on what you can do with a major in SLHS, visit CLA Career Services or explore Handshake, the U of M's exclusive online career database.

Explore.

Speech-language-hearing sciences blends your interests in science, language, and communication, allowing you to pursue a number of professional fields. A degree in SLHS can help you reach careers such as speech-language pathologist, audiologist, psychologist, therapist, counselor, vocal coach, instructor, researcher, or related manager or director. The skills you gain in critical thinking and analysis, research, and verbal and written communication will be immediately applicable as you enter your field; and the skills you gain in identifying, managing, and preventing speech-language-hearing disorders will prepare you for further graduate studies. Explore a list of careers that are pursued by our alums.

Experience.

What you do outside of the classroom can improve your confidence, enhance your skills, and build your resume. We encourage you to seek out real-world experience through research opportunities, community engagement, and observation hours to help you feel confident in your decision upon graduation. Students may also gain valuable and relevant skills in speech-language-hearing sciences by studying abroad or joining SLHS organizations.

Excel.

Prioritize your next steps by building an effective strategy for applying to graduate programs, jobs, and/or service opportunities. We encourage you to schedule an individual appointment with a career counselor, explore Handshake, the U of M’s exclusive job and internship search database, and attend upcoming career events and workshops to start building a network. You can also connect with career services online via LinkedIn.

Want to learn more about careers in speech-language pathology and audiology? The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has a wealth of resources, including career outlooks, educational path exploration, and SLHS scholarship/award opportunities. 

Thinking About Graduate School?

Many undergraduates in SLHS will pursue graduate school to further their education and become speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

Speech-Language Pathologists Audiologists
  • Speech-language pathologists assess and treat people of all ages in the areas of communication and swallowing.
    • Communication is a broad term that involves speech production and fluency, language, cognition, voice, resonance, and hearing.
    • Swallowing includes all aspects of swallowing, including related feeding behaviors.
  • The entry-level degree for speech-language pathology is a master’s.
  • Speech-language pathologists work in schools, hospitals, private practices, medical centers, and many other environments.
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a growth rate of 21% from 2014-24, a pace that is much faster than average.
  • Audiologists assess and treat hearing and balance across all ages. Audiologists perform many tests, from basic hearing evaluations to sophisticated balance assessments. They also fit hearing aids and other amplification devices and offer communication treatment plans for patients of all ages.
  • The entry-level degree for audiology is a doctorate.
  • Audiologists work in hospitals, schools, clinics, and industry.
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a growth rate of 29% from 2014-24, a pace that is much faster than average.
CLA Career Services

411 Bruininks Hall

612-626-0380                     
We encourage you to schedule an individual appointment with a Career Coach!