Speak Out April 2017

Early Career Reference Group Doing, being, becoming and belonging

RECENT RESEARCH REFLECTS ON HOW EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES CAN INFORM BETTER CLINICAL PRACTICE AND FOR PRACTITIONERS TO GROW AS INDIVIDUALS.

lives. This may include being a speech pathology student. While becoming focuses on the choices made, failures, successes and everyday experiences that enable us to become better clinicians and better people. These individualised elements culminate in belonging. Belonging encompasses a sense of community through participation and shared values. So, what does this look like in the Speech Pathology profession?

FEELING OVERWHELMED? Well, it turns out you are not alone. Ann Wilcock an occupational therapist recently completed research in doing, being and becoming. Her work titled Reflections on doing, being and becoming* listed doing as the need to produce some form of product, think of it like a task. At university, you are set an assignment and expected to complete it. Being is about who we are, that is the important roles in our

Doing “The last four years on my journey to become a speech pathologist has involved questioning myself many times – am I doing too little? Am I doing too much? It has involved doing tasks that I have been interested in and inspired by, and some that were a little more tedious. “My time at university has required me to do tasks to meet expectations - attend lectures, tutorials, placements and complete assignments. There were also purposeful actions that I did because I felt they were important to who I wanted to be as a speech pathologist; I volunteered, I networked, I attended professional development and I became a member of the SPA Victoria Branch. “Everything I have done and am doing continues to shape my identity as a speech pathologist and as a human being.” Gemma Rebbechi Being “The transition from ‘being’ a speech pathology student to ‘being’ a speech pathologist has been an exciting, hectic, challenging yet rewarding transition. In my first year out, I juggled multiple roles, had little guidance and support, and realised that a work life balance is something I will have to continue to work on. Despite these challenges, embracing opportunities has helped to open new doors. While I am still not used to calling myself a speech pathologist, working in a field that I’m passionate about (and hopefully make a difference in), having the freedom to find my own pathway, and build relationships with students and colleagues makes ‘being’ a speech pathologist where I want to be.” Jaclyn Georgiou

17

April 2017 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speak Out