Tips for Finding Your Perfect Clinical Fellowship

We’re quickly approaching the time of year that 2nd year speech-language pathology (SLP) graduate students are beginning to think about applying for their clinical fellowship (CF) position. For those who are unfamiliar, a CF is a supervised professional experience during which a recent graduate of an SLP program receives mentorship as they transition from their role as a graduate student to an independent speech-language pathologist. Albeit stressful, it’s undoubtedly an exciting time! I’m sharing tips I learned from my experience with the CF application and interview process.

I completed my clinical fellowship four years ago (summer of 2016 through the spring of 2017) at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). I feel extremely fortunate for my CF experience at CHOP. I firmly believe I’m the clinician I am today as a result of the amazing mentors and array of opportunities available to me at CHOP. I learned from the best of the best. I was consistently challenged to ask questions while also taking the initiative to find answers on my own accord.

Before deciding on CHOP, there were many applications, interviews, and decisions. The following tips helped me to stay calm and organized throughout the interview process.

• Start early

  I started the CF application process about a month into my last semester of graduate school. While you may not start submitting applications or interviewing for a few months, you can prepare by updating your resume and asking professors and supervisors to write your letters of recommendation. Once you get into the thick of interviews, you’ll have plenty of time to get your name out there and figure out what might be a good fit for you in terms of potential positions.

• Decide what is important to you

  It’s essential to outline what you want to get out out of your CF and as well as your priorities in terms of population, setting, location, salary, and mentorship style. From the gecko, I knew a fellowship with hands-on support was important to me. I valued having an on-site supervisor available to discuss difficult cases, provide feedback, etc. Others in my graduate class valued autonomy and support on an as-needed basis. Know your preference, as it will impact what positions you apply for.

  In addition to mentorship, I valued being a part of an interdisciplinary team. At the time I was applying for CF positions, I was completing graduate placements at the the Waisman Center in Madison, WI where I frequently collaborated with other medical providers as a part of interdisciplinary teams. These experiences helped me realize I wanted a clinical fellowship with a heavy interdisciplinary focus.

  My final priority was a pediatric focus on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). I was lucky enough to find as position that allowed me to focus on this population while simultaneously gaining experience with a variety of speech and language and medical diagnoses.

• Prepare for your interviews

  Do your homework and prepare for your interviews! I created a comprehensive list of questions a potential employer might ask and then rehearsed my responses prior to interviews. I continued to add to the list throughout the application process as interviewers asked me different questions. I also created a separate list of questions (e.g., supervision level, collaboration among colleagues, etc.) to ask during my interviews. Remember that interviews are a 2-way street. You are interviewing potential employers just as much as they are interviewing you!

• Don’t be afraid to apply anywhere and everywhere

  Initially, I applied to clinical fellowships in Wisconsin (where I was attending graduate school), Illinois (where I’m from), and North Carolina (where my boyfriend and now husband was living at the time). One of my good friends sent me the CHOP CF job listing and I decided to just apply for it even though it was outside of the locations I was originally considering. Somehow I ended up at the place I least expected!

  Keep an open mind throughout the application process. Just because you submit an application or interview somewhere doesn’t mean you have to commit to the job. More interviews allows for more practice and also helps you to narrow down what is important to you.

• Be open to new experiences

  My CF position included a variety of experiences, including participation in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program, evaluations in an interdisciplinary clinic, outpatient evaluations and therapy, and inpatient training. I didn’t have any inpatient graduate placements, but I was excited to get comprehensive inpatient training (e.g., acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) during my CF. Your CF is an opportunity to gain additional experience and mentorship in areas you might not have had exposure to in graduate school. Take advantage of it! Even if the new experience isn’t your preferred setting or population, it provides you with the opportunity to become a more well-rounded clinician.

• Stay Calm & Be Patient

  The last semester of grad school can be stressful as you apply for CF positions, take the Praxis, and wrap up graduate placements and classwork. Remember to stay calm and be patient. The process takes time! It all ends up working out as it was meant to be.