OPINION EDITORIAL | A Passion for Advising From the SAA Advisor at Purdue

By Melissa D. Newell

This article is a part of the November/December 2018, Volume 30, Number 6, Audiology Today issue.

In August 2015, I began employment at Purdue University, hired as a clinical assistant professor in Audiology. My primary responsibilities include clinical supervision and education of first- and second-year AuD students. As part of our faculty responsibilities, we share in service projects for the department, university, students, and community. For my first service project, I was asked to take over as advisor to the Purdue Audiology Student Organization (PASO), which had been functioning successfully for more than 10 years. This group was not affiliated with the American Academy of Audiology (Academy) at the time, but was simply a local group formed to support the needs of undergraduates and graduate students interested in audiology.

PASO met twice a month as a general group and twice a month for executive board meetings. I quickly learned that I looked forward to PASO meetings and events. Working with the students in a different manner, outside of clinical care, was rewarding in a new way for me. I truly enjoy teaching clinical skills and discussing patient interaction, but this new role has allowed me to discuss other aspects regarding the field of audiology, such as advocacy, community service and education, billing issues, and professional development. Being the advisor is just that, I advise. The students run the group and make decisions regarding activities and events. My job is to help guide them in professional decision-making and to provide resources as needed. Watching these upcoming audiologists work with enthusiasm and commitment has been inspiring for me.