(Reading Careers Fair Dec 2024)
In December 2024, two of our dedicated Speech and Language Therapists (SaLT), Fran Yelf and Grace Flowers, attended the Reading University Careers Fair to provide first-hand advice to guide and inspire the next generation of Speech and Language Therapists. Armed with industry insights (and a box of Quality Street!), they spent the day chatting with students about life as a newly qualified therapist (NQP) and what they could expect after hanging up their university gowns.
Using their trusty Zones of Regulation lanyard visuals, Fran and Grace quizzed students on how they were feeling about their course, job hunting, and stepping out into the real-life world of Speech and Language Therapy. Whilst many students expressed feeling ‘tired’ thanks to the stress of exam season, it was lovely to hear that most were in the ‘Yellow Zone’ — a mix of nerves and excitement about becoming the next wave of SaLT’s!
Fran and Grace provided invaluable interview tips and reassured students about taking their first steps into the field. They highlighted the support available to NQP (Newly Qualified Practitioners)s at Cognus Therapies, which includes regular clinical and managerial supervision, as well as reduced caseload hours at the start of their career to ensure a smooth and supported transition into professional practice. Both praised the Cognus team for their warm and welcoming nature, helping to make the transition into a new role feel much less daunting!
The pair shed insights into the variety of settings Cognus Therapies operates in across the London Borough of Sutton – including mainstream schools, specialist provisions, virtual schools and bases—to support young people aged 4 to 25 with speech, language, and communication needs. They explained the embedded approach used across the Borough, including Universal, Targeted and Specialist SaLT provision, and were able to give students a real sense of the excitement that the role involves on a day to day basis.
By the end of the day, they had connected with 18 potential future recruits—and handed out plenty of sweets along the way!