MEN in CSD CAREER DAY IN A BOX
Thank you for getting out into your community to educate kids about careers speech language pathology and audiology. By introducing young people to careers they didn’t know existed, you could change someone’s life. Our Career Day in a Box has everything you need to make that happen.
How to Contact Schools
-
Start with schools where you live, where your kids go, or where you went to school. A personal connection helps, but isn’t necessary.
To find contact information:
Search for the school’s website and look for a staff directory (most list counselor and teacher emails)
Call the front office and ask to be connected to the school counselor or career coordinator
If you're not sure who to contact, the front office can point you in the right direction
Don’t overthink it. A short phone call or email is all it takes to get started!
-
School counselors (start here—they coordinate career programming)
Career and Technical Education (CTE) coordinators
Health sciences or anatomy teachers
Principals or assistant principals (if you have a connection)
-
Early fall (September-October) for first semester visits
January-February for spring visits
Avoid testing windows (March-May in most districts)
Career fair season varies—ask the counselor
-
Subject: Free Career Presentation for Students—Healthcare Careers in Communication Sciences
Hi [First Name],
I’m a [speech-language pathologist / audiologist] in [City]. I’d love to offer a free 30-45 minute presentation to your students about careers in communication sciences and disorders (CSD).
Most young people have never heard of careers in CSD, but they offer strong job security, competitive salaries ($75K–$130K+), and the chance to work in settings ranging from hospitals to schools to professional sports. We’re especially focused on reaching students early, before GPA requirements for graduate programs become a barrier. And as a member of Men in CSD, a nonprofit organization within ASHA, I’m also focused on getting these careers on the radar of boys. There are 35,000 open jobs in CSD, but only 4% working in our field are men.
I’m flexible on timing and can work around your schedule. Would you have time in the next few months for a classroom visit, career day, or lunch-and-learn?
Happy to share more details or send a preview of the presentation.
Thanks you!
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Contact info]
-
Follow up if you don’t hear back in 1-2 weeks.
Offer flexibility—lunch periods, advisory, career days, even virtual visits.
If the school has a career fair, ask to be added to the list for next year.
Once you do one school, ask the counselor for referrals to colleagues at other schools.
How to Give the Presentation
-
Review the slides and presenter notes. There is a talk track in the slide notes.
The first few slides include tips on delivery and customization.
Personalize slides 4-6 with your information and photo. And work on how you will tell your own story (how you discovered the field, your current role, a "day in the life" example)
Aim for 25-30 minutes of presentation, plus 10-15 minutes for Q&A
Bring flyers and consider small giveaways (stickers, pens) if available
-
Tailor your approach to the age of the students.
Be yourself—young people respond to authenticity.
Share the parts of your job you genuinely find interesting (the “cool” or unexpected stuff).
It’s okay to say “I don't know” and offer to follow up.
Encourage questions throughout, not just at the end.
-
Pass out flyers to students or leave them with the teacher or counselor.
Email us to let us know how it went! Your feedback helps us improve the toolkit.
Questions?
Need help preparing or having problems getting started? We’re here to help!
SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK
What worked? What didn’t? What questions did students ask that surprised you? We want to hear from you!