As a graduate student in speech-language pathology at Auburn University, my decision to attend the 2023 ASHA Convention was driven by several key factors, especially as I was nearing my externship in acute care and exploring opportunities for clinical fellowships.
I had heard that the ASHA Convention would provide valuable insights and resources for my forthcoming role in acute care. To stay informed about the latest advancements in the field, I aimed to participate in a range of sessions. These sessions promised not only to delve into current literature but also to offer opportunities to learn from leading experts. I intended to leverage this knowledge to enhance my evidence-based practice during my hospital rotation.
The experience allowed me to do so much more than learn from sessions! Below are my top three recommendations for graduate students attending the ASHA Convention.
1. Explore Exhibit Booths Offering Hands-On Learning
For students interested in medical speech-language pathology, these booths are a must-visit, as they offer hands-on experience with specialized medical equipment and provide clinically applicable learning opportunities. Here are some booth recommendations for anyone looking to enhance their clinical skills:
- Endoscopy Equipment: I attended booths that offered hands-on practice with endoscopy tools and procedures on live participants. You’ll get real-time feedback from experts to fine-tune your technique. Be sure to attend booths showcasing this equipment if you want a practical way to elevate your skills!
- Speaking Valves Deep Dive: Check out booths showcasing speaking valves for tracheostomized and ventilator-dependent patients. Here, you’ll get to practice with model patients and soak up knowledge from educational tutorials from the experts. This practical experience complemented my coursework and textbook knowledge and boosted my confidence in patient care!
- A “Taste” of Modified Barium Swallow Studies: Ever wondered about the patient experience in swallow studies? Some booths let you explore standardized viscosities used in Modified Barium Swallow Studies—they even let you sample different barium products, giving you a firsthand understanding of patient experiences, with some surprisingly tasty samples!
- Innovations in AAC and Assistive Tech: Get hands-on experience with the latest advancements in assistive technology and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) equipment from various industry leaders. Experiences like these are crucial in the ever-evolving field of AAC, where staying competent and continuously refining skills is key to providing individuals with the resources and opportunities that they need to access their greatest potential. A highlight for me was using eye-gaze technology to create art, demonstrating these tools’ ability to enhance both communication and quality of life! As you explore these booths, you’ll find various options designed to cater to diverse communication needs and strategies—so you can advocate for accessible communication for all!
Whether your current clinical placements offer these experiences or not, I highly recommend dropping by any booths that spark your interest. It’s a fantastic way to practice and polish your clinical skills—all while gaining tips and tricks from the experts! The more experience you gain, the better equipped you’ll be for your career, no matter where you are in your journey. You’ll leave Convention with more knowledge than you came with—and greater confidence in your clinical skills. And who knows? You might even have some fun along the way!
2. Attend Special Interest Group (SIG) Open Houses and Networking Meetings
Are you ready to broaden your horizons and forge meaningful connections in our field? Then, you can’t miss the chance to attend one or more of the SIG Open Houses and Networking Meetings at ASHA! These SIG-sponsored events offer a wealth of educational sessions and networking opportunities.
These events cater to both professional growth and personal enjoyment. Attendees can look forward to complimentary benefits—everything from refreshments to invaluable resources and profound insights. Most important, these meetings are your golden ticket to meet and connect with leading professionals in the field. My personal experience was transformative—attending these meetings literally opened new doors for me, leading me to join three new SIGs!
An added advantage is that you don’t need to be a pre-existing member to attend many of these meetings. Just bring your enthusiasm, a thirst for knowledge, and an open mind. You never know—you might discover your perfect niche and find yourself joining a new SIG (or perhaps even three!) that aligns perfectly with your interests.
3. Check Out the ASHA Career Portal Lounge
If you’re on the hunt for your next career move, seeking clinical fellowship opportunities, or just curious about sparking new growth in your professional journey, the ASHA Career Portal Lounge is a can’t-miss experience!
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Mini Career Workshops: Gain valuable insights and practical tips to advance your career.
- Success Stories: Learn how innovative peers landed their dream jobs.
- Resource Discovery: Explore the wealth of tools and resources available on the Career Portal.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with professionals, and expand your career network.
Concluding Thoughts
Attending the ASHA Convention as a student was both meaningful and transformative for me. This year’s ASHA Convention will be held in Seattle, Washington, December 5–7. National NSSLHA members can take advantage of reduced registration fees as one of the benefits of National NSSLHA membership.
ASHA also accepts student volunteers (apply by September 9) to assist in various roles for 1 day during Convention. As a volunteer, you receive full registration fee reimbursement and can attend sessions on the days that you are not volunteering.
Regardless of how you participate, make the most of the experience by seizing every opportunity to connect with others, explore new technologies, and advance your growth as a future CSD professional!
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The hands-on experiences described, especially with endoscopy and AAC technologies, sound incredibly valuable for bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world clinical practice. It’s great to see emphasis on networking within SIGs as a means of finding your niche in the field.
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Great read for grad students considering ASHA Convention. The practical booth experiences you highlighted—endoscopy, speaking valves, MBSS, and AAC—are exactly the kind of hands-on learning that can make the biggest difference in clinical confidence. I especially liked the reminder that Convention is more than just sessions; it’s also about networking, exploring new tools, and connecting coursework to real-world practice. For anyone looking to plan ahead and stay inspired, check out Deltarune Prophecy Maker as another interesting place to visit.
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Really enjoyed this student-to-student perspective on attending convention as a grad student. The practical takeaways about exploring exhibit booths, especially the hands-on learning for medical SLP, made the article feel immediately useful for anyone preparing for ASHA Convention. I also appreciated the focus on building confidence through real-world exposure and connecting coursework to clinical practice. For readers who enjoy helpful, resource-driven content like this, I’d also suggest checking out Witch Hat Atelier Spell Maker for something equally engaging.
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Your detailed breakdown of the exhibit booths is incredibly helpful for a fellow grad student planning to attend ASHA. The hands-on practice with endoscopy equipment and the chance to sample barium products sounds like a unique way to build clinical confidence before starting an externship. I also appreciate your tip about SIG open houses being open to non-members—that’s a great low-pressure way to explore different areas of the field. Since you’re so focused on practical skill-building, you might find an AI workspace like Reference2Video useful for creating quick visual study aids or patient education materials from your notes and reference images, helping you reinforce what you learn at the convention.
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Great read for grad students considering ASHA Convention. I especially liked the practical focus on exhibit booths and hands-on learning—those are often the most valuable parts beyond the sessions themselves. The tips on endoscopy, speaking valves, AAC, and assistive tech feel especially relevant for students preparing for clinical rotations and fellowship opportunities. It’s a good reminder that convention can be both educational and career-shaping when you go in with a plan. For anyone looking for a quick break between sessions, I also like using Random Pokémon Generator as a fun way to reset and keep the energy up.
Really insightful read for grad SLP students—especially the part about getting beyond the lecture halls and into hands-on learning at exhibit booths. I liked the practical focus on clinical skills, AAC, and making the most of Convention networking. For students balancing coursework, externships, and career planning, this kind of advice is genuinely useful. It’s a good reminder that professional growth comes from both learning and trying new tools in real settings. On a related note, I’ve also been exploring tools like melody generator for creative projects, and it’s impressive how the right tech can make learning and creating feel more accessible.
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Wow, sounds like the convention was packed with hands-on learning! Those exhibit booths seem like a goldmine for practical skills. I mean, who wouldn’t want to practice with endoscopy tools, right? Also, if you need some background music for all that learning, check out this neat resource here: AI Vocal Remover . Getting your groove on while studying could be the next big trend, don’t you think?
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