Speech therapy - any advice please?

[Turtlesmile]

I was made redundant while on maternity leave at the end of last year and am consequently having a big rethink about what I really want to do. For years I've been interested in Speech Therapy but have somehow never been in a position to do anything about it. However, my PhD is in linguistics and I was working in an education-related role before being made redundant so, to me, it seems to 'fit'.

We don't live particularly close to a university that offers the course and as DD is only 14 months (and we'd like another in the not too distant future!), it's not practical to do a full-time course now. So, I'm applying to do some voluntary work (with a couple of charities as SLT dept don't have capacity) and am hoping to do some work shadowing with an SLT with a view to working as an SLT assistant and hopefully training once DD is older.

Is there anyone out there who can tell me if this is a sensible plan? I'm 34 now, so will I be considered too old? Any other ideas??
Thanks!

Yes absolutley a good plan! I am an SLT and if you are interested in doing it getting lots of experience before you apply will really help. It will also help you to decide if it's what you want to do.

Being a SLT asst would be good but any other kind of work with people(elderly/learning disability/stroke/head injury/children would be equally as good too as it will allow you to bring lots of experience.

good luck with your career and children. SLT is a great profession with such a variety within it! Although I have to say my linguistics knowledge is pretty rubbish

Thanks, janie, good to know I'm not totally off track. After a PhD in an area with literally no UK jobs and then being made redundant, I'm not overly confident that choosing a career is one of my strengths!

oh I also meant to say, i trained with a lady who had her 50th birthday in 2nd year.....so no, you're not too old!!!

That's very reassuring, thanks!! I find it strange that I'm considered too old for some things when, if retirement age increases to 70, I have at least 36 years of work left in me...:)