Welcome fellow bloggers to probably the best blog that the Western hemisphere has ever seen! Hello. My name is Kira Lingman and my BIS concentrations are in Mass Communications and Speech and Hearing. Throughout my scholastic career, I enjoyed classes pertaining to the mass media, so naturally I thought I was going to persue a degree or career in that feild. It wasn't until I started taking classes in American Sign Language that I took an interest in speech, hearing, communication, and language disorders. Everything ended up working out because ASU gave me the opportunity to explore both feilds and integrate the knowlege from both disciplines without sacrificing one of my interests. I'm in my last semester currently and I hope to persue a carreer in Speech Language Pathology but I know the insight about mass communications will be benificial when using the media as an outlet to promote my career in the future.
My applied study is at a nonprofit organization called Arizona Autism United (AZA United) that provides habilitation and respite services for children/teens with autism. My main responsibility at AZA United at this time is developing the Community Rescourse Library that consists of important books, articles, and brochures from other similar organizations in Arizona. This definitely relates to my two concentrations because I have been netorking to obtain brochures and such (mass communications), and autism is a communication and language learning disorder (speech and hearing science). This project really requires the integration of both disciplines because this library is intended for the masses who want to educate themselves on the various autism spectrum disorders. As of right now, I still do not know exactly what I want to do once I graduate because I know I will be moving back to California, but this internship is putting me in the right direction to carreer ideas and posibilities.
Hi Kira. I can totally relate to thinking you're committed to one major and then taking a class in something different and decided to pursue that as well. I was originally just a History major and then randomly took Islamic Civilizations and thought that the subject of studying religion was really interesting. It's great that your organization is willing to help the community by providing information about autism. By compiling resources, I'm sure you're saving parents time and energy when they need to find some information. Does AZA United work with any organizations that do research on autism or is it mainly just organizations that help those who have autism? Hopefully this internship will help guide you in the direction you want for a future career. Even though it may not provide you with a job, at least it'll be something to put on your resume! Speech Language Pathology seems like an interesting field to pursue- Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteMs. Lingman: Your combination of concentrations is essential to education and guiding people with special needs. I too have a mass comm. concentration and believe to help people in the 21st century; one needs to have the skills to help ALL peoples. Music, Art, and all types of creativity are forms of mass communication and it is really cool to see it being used from your prospective. I used to volunteer with special needs kindergarten children out in Glendale before moving back to New York. All children, all people deserve to have information available to them. The one thing I have to disagree with you is that I think my blog might be the greatest in the western hemisphere, but until the semester is over, I will let you hold that title. Music is a huge part of who I am, and to use something personal in your career and thru the IDS is an amazing feeling. I hope the AZA United team cherishes what you bring to the table.-M.Kaphan
ReplyDeleteHi Kira,
ReplyDeleteYour internship does sound like it nicely brings together both of your concentration areas. You might want to check out Justine's blog as she is working with an Autistic child. I think that your career choice of going into Speech Language Pathology is a plan as it is a specialized area where professionals are needed. I have a friend who works as a speech pathologist and it has been a good field for her to be in. I am looking forward to learning more about your internship.
--Jessica
Hi Kira,
ReplyDeleteMy two concentration areas seem like they didn't line up as well which meant I had to change from Art History to Sociology. I love Art but it wasn't the major for me. Speech and hearing must be very interesting. Arizona Autism United is a place many people overlook and you working in the library there is going to be a great experience and give you a vision of a different world and how we take things for granted. In speech pathology you could also think outside the box and run your own business helping others. I'm looking forward to reading more on your blog.
Hey Kira,
ReplyDeleteSpeech and hearing seems like a very interesting subject to study. I have always thought that if I started looking into it, that I might really enjoy it.
Your internship at AZA United seems like it would be a great experience for you. I've never worked with children with Autism. It seems like it wouldn't be too different in the sense that they are kids, but different in the sense of how they learn. I'm sure you are gaining great learning skills. I wish the best of luck to you!
Talk to you soon.
Sarah
Hi Kira!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to see another student has chosen two concentration areas similar to mine! I am doing Mass Communications as well as Educational Psychology. I was originally studying to be a Special Education teacher but changed degrees midway through my college career. I am happy to hear you are working in habilitation. I worked with an autistic child for several years providing habilitation through Arizona's HOPE group, so I am very familiar with the routine. I am very excited for you and can't wait to hear more about your internship!
Michelle Busk