Nina Metz, MS ‘21, CCC-SLP, has had a quick transition into the professional world after her graduation from the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program at Salus University. And, although only a year and a half out of graduate school she has found a fulfilling job in a school district where she is part of a strong community.
During her first year as a professional, she worked with a contracting company and moved between two schools. She immediately realized her passion for wanting to be in a full-time position in a school district, so after receiving her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology, she was in search of an opportunity within a local district.
An opportunity arose for Metz in July as she began working as a speech-language pathologist/speech therapist in the Tredyffrin Easttown School District, a top-rated public school district in Pennsylvania, according to publications such as Niche and Philly Voice.
Metz currently has a caseload of 25 to 30 students from kindergarten to fourth grade with whom she provides treatment. Some of her other responsibilities include pushing into classrooms, organizing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and providing autistic support by utilizing functional communication strategies through Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices.
“I didn’t grow up around the [Tredyffrin Easttown School District], so it has been fascinating learning about the area and becoming a community member,” said Metz. “I am very excited to be given this opportunity in my second year out of school, especially within such a strong and impressive school district.”
Outside of her work as a speech-language pathologist, Metz has remained close with her former classmates, now colleagues, whom she met at Salus. “I just saw them about a month ago and we still talk every day/week,” she said. “It’s funny, the chats we had at Salus involved studying and questions about cases and the conversations now are still discussions about best treatment plans. We connect and bounce off of each other the way we did in graduate school.”
Metz gives her friends a lot of credit for helping her through graduate school and “couldn’t have done it without them.” She emphasizes the importance of making connections in school and encourages Salus students to work collaboratively to develop these lifelong connections and friendships.
“My biggest advice to current students is to reach out to your cohort; don’t just drive to school, do your work, and leave,” she said. “Make friends, you are allowed to be sociable, it actually helps you academically. Make sure to keep that balance because it is so important.”
