Hailey Funk

Hailey Funk ’28 saw firsthand how speech therapy can change lives, then changed her major to become part of this rewarding profession. 

Tell me about your decision to major in speech-language pathology. 

What attracted me to a speech-language Pathology major was the desire to help others. I was in the Early Childhood Education program my first year at Russell Sage, then switched to SLP when it became available. I didn’t intend to change my major, but I became interested in the SLP program after hearing about it. I have family members who have needed speech therapy, one in elementary school and one in midlife. This opened my eyes to the world of speech therapy. 

What have been some of the highlights of the speech-language pathology program so far?

During my first semester in the program, I took a community involvement course, which allowed me to get hands-on experience right away. I completed my hours at the Aphasia Center right on Sage’s Albany campus. I was able to sit in and talk to patients who had suffered from aphasia, and see what their speech therapy looked like. I was able to see a variety of different therapy techniques and what worked best for certain patients. I witnessed events, such as the Moving Message fundraiser, which helped advocate for those who need speech therapy. It was great to get this experience at the start of the program because it allowed me to see the work being done and where I could potentially end up. 

One of my favorite things I got to do was an interview with a patient at the Aphasia Center. This allowed me to get to know their story and have a deeper understanding and insight into the importance of speech therapy and having a good support system. 

We were also able to see some of the equipment used in speech therapy. This was not only super cool, but a helpful insight into the medical world of SLP. This consisted of using apps on a computer and microphones that recorded different aspects of voice, to find out what parts needed work. I was also able to see different devices that test and aid hearing, such as bone-conduction technology. 

This has added to my education by giving me multiple opportunities to see what a career in speech therapy could look like, meet patients themselves and learn their stories, and meet others working in the field who are passionate about the career. 

What would you like to do as a speech-language pathologist?

I would like to work as a speech therapist in an elementary school, though the Aphasia Center has opened my eyes to the possibilities of potentially working in a hospital setting. 

Is there anything you would like to add?

Another thing enhancing my experience at Sage are Professors DeBonis and Pickering, Julie Hart, who runs the Aphasia Center, and the other students in my major. 

Everyone has been so welcoming, helpful, and passionate about SLP and furthering our education. We have been able to all work together and create a group that listens to and encourages each other. This made the semester easier, and I felt like everyone involved in the program deeply cares.