Undergraduate / 'Speech-Language Pathology' - academic interests and goals - UIUC Essay #1 [4]

essay about academic interests and goals.

"Go ahead, give it another try!" Her high-pitched voice echoed in my ears, but the disapproving expression on her face is what communicated with my brother. "Gho," he repeated with a heavy accent as he understood her command. She encouraged him again, "No, not 'gho', say 'go.'" My forehead creased with worry as I noticed my brother hunch in the chair with disappointment. He had, again, pronounced the word wrong prompted by the speech therapist. In the tensed moment, my mind raced at the speed of light. The fact my brother would never be able to speak like you and I haunted my thoughts.

My present interest in Speech-Language Pathology grew out of my early involvement as a child. Since my younger brother was born with profound deafness, I visited numerous Speech Therapists with him. During my visits, I observed them use phonetic transcriptions to teach him the basic speech sounds I easily used in my daily life. Ever since I moved to United States from Pakistan in 2004, I have had my heart set on becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist.

During their life, people achieve materially, gain in their personality, and reap knowledge. I want nothing more than to reap knowledge about communication disorders to aid my biggest goal. To perfect those with communication disorders converse their feelings and intellect with others is an ambition of mine. I imagine myself to be the speech-language pathologist who liberates the struggles of those dealing with communication disorders routinely. The gratification I would feel from such an act has no comparison with anything that exists. I'd be immensely proud when I know I have helped someone in a positive way like those who helped my brother communicate with me today.