By Timothy Lim, AuD, Clinical Supervisor, UALR / UAMS Speech and Hearing Clinic
That was the question posed to me on the exit interview sheet in the spring of 2011, the day before my graduation. Having lived and worked on the same college campus for most of my adult life, I felt a strong familial tie with the university and the audiology department in particular. Checking the box marked “yes” was more of a reflexive gesture and less as a definite offer.
As fate would have it, it would not be long before the opportunity to return to familiar halls would present itself. Less than 3 months later, I returned to the UALR / UAMS Speech and Hearing Clinic as a part time clinical supervisor. The change from a private practice setting to academia was not the difficult transition that I expected: because my department duty places me primarily in the clinic, I remain distanced from those things that typify academia. Journals, reports, committees, tenure, and promotions are still matters that I do not have to contend with.
As an academic setting, there are still those elements that naturally bleed over into the clinic. Standards are more than words on documents: they are the binding and flowing force behind what we do and what we teach future clinicians. A different tone of professionalism calls us to conduct ourselves in a way that not only best represents our field, but the university whole. And just because I am not graded on the journals I read does not mean that I can stop reading: being updated on research and technology has become perhaps more important as I converse with colleagues, coworkers, and extremely well-read patients. The description of individuals as “life-long learners” is suitable for us, as our level of information must constantly match that of the patients, students, and professionals we encounter.
Whether the grass is greener on the other side is certainly debatable. There are subtle perks that I truly enjoy. A great deal of humanization occurs when you realize that your professors can now be your friends, and you learn more about their personality and less about their profession. Tips and tricks can be disclosed and shared in small circles. The prospect of passing on practical knowledge and realizing that you have succeeded in enlightening someone results in a fulfilling joy. There is a level of stress that comes with the territory, but the same can be said for any profession. And since I am consistently having to educate and re-educate myself (as my peers also do), I find myself feeling not as different as I did as a student. This, hopefully, allows me to relate to them in a way that others may not be able to.
I highly encourage students to take the initial question to heart and consider any opportunity to return and share what has been given to you. I sincerely hope that you find the experience to be as unique and rewarding as what I have found so far.