Brought to you by Epic Special Education Staffing
Have you ever dreamed of combining your passion for helping others with your love for adventure? Being a traveling speech-language pathologist (SLP) in the schools is the perfect way to do just that!
Known as school contract travel speech therapy, this career option could provide you with an incredibly fulfilling, dynamic career that merges your passion for making a difference with a love for exploration. Imagine embarking on a journey to new destinations and immersing yourself in diverse communities—all while making a meaningful impact on students’ lives.
Here, we’ll explore the exciting world of school contract travel speech therapy (i.e., “travel therapy” or “traveling SLPs”)—and why it’s more than just an opportunity for professional growth—it’s a thrilling journey of self-discovery and purpose.
Stress and burnout have become serious issues faced by today’s workforce, making work–life balance one of the top priorities for job seekers. In fact, in the 2023 Randstad Workmonitor [PDF] survey, 73% of the 35,000 workers surveyed globally considered work–life balance a major factor when selecting a job.
In LinkedIn Learning’s 2023 Workplace Learning Report, flexibility to work when and where one wants was found to be the second major consideration for job seekers, falling only behind compensation and benefits. The impact of work flexibility is so significant that, in the Randstad survey, almost 90% of human resources (HR) professionals noticed an increase in employee retention after the implementation of flexible work.
In an ASHA Perspectives study (Amir et al., 2021), researchers surveyed 366 school-based SLPs and found that two major factors affect job satisfaction and employee retention: (a) overwork and (b) limited time to complete tasks.
As a traveling SLP, you decide where you want to work and for how long. And with a vast network of SLP jobs available across the country, the specialized area of travel therapy provides so many possibilities. A dedicated recruiter can help you find your next assignment based on your lifestyle and goals, ensuring that you have full control over your career.
From sightseeing and fun activities to new dining experiences and community events, travel therapists can look forward to so many amazing adventures outside of work. And with dedicated recruiters offering support throughout the assignment, travel SLPs can better enjoy their time on assignment.
For many SLPs, especially those still starting out in their careers, having a job that can open many doors is crucial. In LinkedIn Learning’s 2023 Workplace Learning Report, job seekers considered the following factors when assessing work opportunities:
Because there’s a lot of variety in travel assignments, contract SLPs gain exposure to diverse cases and challenges. Such exposure not only enhances an SLP’s cultural competence but also makes them a more well-rounded clinician.
As a traveling SLP, you can learn from the people you interact with on assignments. You not only get to exchange ideas with fellow SLPs, but you also get the chance to work alongside occupational therapists, special education teachers, and other professionals who have a depth of knowledge at their disposal.
With everyone you meet, you get to learn so much—sometimes, you even end up learning things about yourself. Being a traveling SLP can open a world of opportunity.
As a contract traveler in the profession of school speech-language pathology, you can maximize your income with competitive compensation packages that not only include base salaries but other various benefits—like health insurance, retirement contributions, housing stipends, and bonuses. In addition, travel SLPs typically make up to 20% higher salaries compared with their colleagues in non-traveling positions.
Short-term assignments offer flexibility, allowing you to explore high-demand locations or peak seasons for potentially higher pay rates. Embracing diverse settings, including rural or underserved areas, may come with elevated pay rates or incentives such as loan repayment programs.
As a traveling SLP in school settings, you get to contribute to improving education outcomes for students with communication disorders. Through targeted interventions and specialized support, SLPs can help students overcome barriers to their education, empowering them to reach their full potential.
Traveling SLPs also have the unique opportunity to form meaningful connections with students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. SLPs often find that the connections they forge—and the positive changes they facilitate—leave a legacy on the lives of the students they serve, reinforcing their commitment to the profession.
Being a travel therapist isn’t just a job: It’s a calling—one that offers a unique blend of professional growth, flexibility, and community impact. By embracing this dynamic career, you’ll not only expand your horizons but also affect the lives of students across diverse communities. Start your journey today, and unlock a world of fulfillment and purpose.
Epic Special Education Staffing is a premier national provider of special education talent and staffing solutions catering to school districts and to special education professionals across the country.
With a nationwide network, we are able to staff key special education disciplines—including SLPs, school psychologists, special education teachers, occupational and physical therapists, administration, behavioral roles, school nurses, and more. At Epic Special Education Staffing, the possibilities are endless—with opportunities ranging from local and travel, full and part-time, long and short-term, onsite, remote, or hybrid! We have contracts that complement any lifestyle.
To learn more about Epic Special Education Staffing, visit us at https://epicspecialeducationstaffing.com/.
Amir, R., Jones, S. E., Frankel, D., & Fritzsch, J. (2021). Job satisfaction of school-based speech-language pathologists in New York State as a function of workplace features. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 6(2), 470–484. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_persp-20-00196
Linkedin.com. (2023). 2023 Workplace Learning Report: Building the agile future. https://learning.linkedin.com/resources/workplace-learning-report-2023
Randstad. (2023). Randstad Workmonitor 2023. https://workforceinsights.randstad.com/hubfs/Workmonitor/2023/Randstad_Workmonitor_2023.pdf?hsLang=nl [PDF]