Joni Choi
Hometown: Toledo, OH
Graduation Date: May 2017
Company: Waverly Community Schools
Location: Lansing, MI
Amount of time at internship: January- April 2016
How did you become interested in becoming a speech-language pathologist? I first became interested in becoming a speech-language pathologist after I researched careers in the health field. I always knew that I wanted to stay within the healthcare field, but I didn't know what I would have a passion for until I found speech-language pathology. I shadowed many speech-language pathologists and became really interested in the various work settings and populations that I would be able to work with.
Tell us about your graduation school journey: After graduating from Ohio State, I was excited to continue my education to become a speech-language pathologist at Michigan State. I have enjoyed learning through the graduate program and working with my classmates. My first clinical internship has been a great experience and I enjoy working with the pediatric population. I am looking forward to the future internships through MSU's graduate program.
Describe the clinical setting and population you are working with at your current internship: My current internship is at Colt Early Childhood Education Center in the Waverly School District. I work with mainly kindergarteners and some preschoolers who are in general education and special education classrooms. Some areas that I've been able to gain more experience in are articulation, language, and augmentative alternative communication.
How has your internship helped prepare you for your career: My internship has helped prepare me for my career by giving me the opportunity to gain clinical skills while working with the pediatric population. Through my supervisor, I learned how to work efficiently and grow professionally as a student intern. My supervisor has given me multiple opportunities to learn and grow under her guidance, which has helped me learn more about the school setting along with becoming more comfortable as a student intern.