By: Kayla Martinez, BS, Graduate Assistant

My journey to audiology differs from that of a typical student who completes their undergraduate degree and immediately enters graduate school. For me, it wasn’t straightforward.

When I began college in 2016, I was uncertain about my career path. I considered becoming a pediatrician, therapist, or dentist, but audiology was not on my radar; I wasn’t even aware of it. As I neared the end of my senior year, the pandemic hit, halting everything. I couldn’t walk the stage, and life was paused for everyone. During this time, I worked as an orthodontic assistant to explore that field. We often referred patients to speech-language pathologists (SLPs) for tongue thrust issues, where they worked on controlling tongue movements to prevent delays in orthodontic treatment. This introduced me to speech, language, and hearing, which fascinated me.

However, I faced a dilemma. No longer a college student with parental support, I was an adult responsible for bills, rent, student loans, and more. How could I pursue a career in this field with such responsibilities?

Determined, I took action. I had found something I was passionate about and felt destined for, so I couldn’t let it go. I sought a job that allowed me to work while pursuing a second degree in my spare time. After six years in the workforce balancing adult responsibilities, I earned my second bachelor’s degree, discovered my passion for audiology, applied to grad school, was accepted into my dream program, and am now in my second year of the Doctor of Audiology program.

Reflecting on my journey, I’m amazed at my accomplishments, though I remember the challenges along the way. There were times when I doubted I would reach this point or wanted to give up, but my passion for audiology, which brought me more joy than any undergraduate/work experience, kept me going to where I am today.