Hi! My name is Kate Carreno and I am originally from a small town in the beautiful mountains in Western North Carolina. On any day you can find me drinking WAY too much coffee, devouring a book and probably listening to The Avett Brothers. The Great Smokey Mountains were so beautiful that I felt led to stick around for college. I chose to attend Western Carolina University (WCU) in the wonderful Cullowhee, NC following my high school graduation. I cannot even begin to describe how AMAZING that decision was. After a little fumbling in terms of my major, I chose Communication Sciences and Disorders to become a speech-language pathologist (SLP) or speech therapist with the hopes of working in pediatrics. I also minored in Special Education because that is another passion near and dear to my heart.
After completing undergraduate and graduate studies at Western, I am now a clinically competent and certified SLP and licensed to practice in the state of NC. I am employed full time with the Catawba County School system providing speech-language therapy services to approximately 40 preschool and elementary aged students. I also work part time for a pediatric multidisciplinary private therapy practice and hope to work PRN in a long-term care/assisted living community over the summer.
When I look at what I do now, I know that it would not have been possible without the guidance and lessons gained through my student jobs in college. I worked as an Orientation Counselor for WCU as well as an Admissions Tour Guide and Residential Assistant. Through these jobs I learned the importance of time management, organization, teamwork and communication. I have no difficulties carrying out the never ending to do list and constant conversations my job requires me to have. I learned how to listen to people, speak publicly and think on my feet-all of which have served me well in the real world. The advice I would offer to anyone on the fence about speech pathology or employment through his or her institution is simply…DO IT! Nothing can compare to the rewarding memories, relationships and lessons I gained through my student work. I believe that I am a better employee now for the work and skills I fine-tuned during that part of my life.
After completing undergraduate and graduate studies at Western, I am now a clinically competent and certified SLP and licensed to practice in the state of NC. I am employed full time with the Catawba County School system providing speech-language therapy services to approximately 40 preschool and elementary aged students. I also work part time for a pediatric multidisciplinary private therapy practice and hope to work PRN in a long-term care/assisted living community over the summer.
When I look at what I do now, I know that it would not have been possible without the guidance and lessons gained through my student jobs in college. I worked as an Orientation Counselor for WCU as well as an Admissions Tour Guide and Residential Assistant. Through these jobs I learned the importance of time management, organization, teamwork and communication. I have no difficulties carrying out the never ending to do list and constant conversations my job requires me to have. I learned how to listen to people, speak publicly and think on my feet-all of which have served me well in the real world. The advice I would offer to anyone on the fence about speech pathology or employment through his or her institution is simply…DO IT! Nothing can compare to the rewarding memories, relationships and lessons I gained through my student work. I believe that I am a better employee now for the work and skills I fine-tuned during that part of my life.
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