I’ve begun my SLT journey working in acute stroke wards, but as for the future? Watch this space!

What made you decide to study Speech and Language Therapy at Sheffield?

“Speech and Language Therapy stuck out to me as a career when I realised just how much we can make a difference to people’s lives. Our voice, the words we say, and how we say them, is an integral part of our identity.

When we are born, it is our cry and murmurs that help us form attachments, and when we pass away, it is many people's wish to communicate their thoughts and wishes to their loved ones. I was inspired by the work SLTs do to support those with difficulties communicating because it is so constitutive to who we are.

Abigail Yates

“SLTs also support people with eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties, and realising just how much this can interfere with someone's health, social life, and routine, was a huge motivator for me.

“As for Sheffield, I felt a real sense of belonging here. There was such a variety of green spaces, coffee shops, study spaces, and nightlife to choose from, not to mention that the Students’ Union is continuously voted the best in the country!”

What did you enjoy most about the course? 

“What I thought was great was how accessible the lecturers and staff were. I felt confident that I would be supported if I ever ran into any difficulty. 

“I also really liked how the placements were structured. At Sheffield, placements were built into the week instead of longer blocks. This appealed to me because I felt my week was so varied! One day I'd be on the stroke ward, and the next I'd be in a children's language development lecture!”  

Tell us more about your clinical placements. What did you gain from this experience? 

“During my course I undertook three placements at the in-house communication clinic, which gave me the opportunity to meet some amazing clients. During these placements, our lecturers - who had expertise in the particular area the placement was based on - would oversee the management of our clients, and provide us with constructive feedback. My last in-house placement gave me the confidence and assurance I really needed to go forward in my career working with adults.

“I also had external placements in and around Sheffield, working with children in schools with speech sound difficulties and language delay, adults with intellectual disabilities, and children who stammer.

"A placement in second year was the turning point in my early SLT career. I was working at a hospital ward supporting very unwell patients with swallowing difficulties. I absolutely fell in love with the team and the work they were doing. I’d heard stories about other students being offered more hours or jobs with their placement team, but I never thought that would be me! After my first block, I was invited back for a critical care placement, I then began working in the hospital as an assistant, and was eventually successful in getting my first job in the team I started out with!”

What are your future career plans, now that you've graduated?

“I say this regularly, but the best thing about doing a Speech and Language Therapy degree is that the opportunities after graduation are endless! I’ve begun my SLT journey working in acute stroke wards, but as for the future? Watch this space!  

“The idea of leadership and management really interests me. We are still a very small profession and I am very passionate about championing the role of SLT. However, I also look up to clinicians in my field who have become masters in their specialty. Throughout my course, I have been wowed by the clinical knowledge my lecturers and placement educators have demonstrated. The idea that I may be able to do that one day really excites me!”

Do you have any advice for students thinking of studying at Sheffield?

“First and foremost, take every opportunity that comes your way I know that sounds really cliché, but you never know what doors will open when you say yes to things!  

It can be difficult to advocate for yourself but if I’ve learnt anything it’s that you must ‘be your own best friend’ and put yourself first when it comes to learning opportunities.

Abigail Yates

“The other thing I would say is, when choosing a university, let your gut guide you. Sheffield originally wasn't my first choice. It wasn’t until I came for an interview that I changed my mind. I just felt a stronger relationship with the lecturers and the current students, so I went with my gut and I don’t regret it!”