Grace interned as a student clinician at BYU Speech and Language Clinic during Winter Semester 2023.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
I was a graduate student clinician working with a variety of clients. I was able to work with patients from the age of 3-30, and a large variety of diagnosis (ASD, voice, social, language, speech, cognition etc). I now feel SO much more confident in being able to go into the workforce with my new clinical skills.
What did you learn on your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
I was not expecting to learn how to provide counseling services within my scope of practice. I knew there would be some level of counseling, but the majority of my clients needed extensive counseling regarding their communication difficulties. I loved learning counseling skills and being able to apply them within my sessions. My internship provided an environment for me to learn these skills, while also providing sufficient support for me to succeed. I also learned a lot about myself throughout this process. Before starting this internship I had a hard time trusting my clinical judgement, however I have found myself feeling more confident in a clinical setting. I also find myself diving into "new" things with excitement, rather than being scared of the new opportunity.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
My future plans have changed somewhat after my internship experience. I originally thought I wanted to work with children in a school setting, however my experience at the BYU clinic has made me want to explore more medical based work environments, specifically within pediatric feeding.
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
This experience led to personal inspiration/insightful revelation by providing me numerous opportunities to stretch myself in all ways. I was able to gain hands on experience and practice what I've learned in the classroom, which helped me gain more insights on topics discussed in class.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
YES! The byu clinic provides AMAZING CEs that are available during your sessions with clients to give support when needed. The BYU Speech and Language clinic provided me a safe and encouraging environment to learn new skills, while also serving those in my community.
