Speech language pathology and audiology as a higher education option: exploratory study

Purpose to identify factors that led Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology students to choose the career as well as the information they would have liked to receive before entering College. Methods exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional study. SLP-Audiology students of undergraduate courses in the University of São Paulo (Bauru, São Paulo and Ribeirão Preto campus) and graduate students (Bauru campus) were asked to complete, anonymously, an online questionnaire consisting of 10 questions about their career choices and about the sources and adequacy of information regarding the SLP-Audiology profession before college entrance examination. Results the questionnaire was answered 201 individuals (144 undergraduates and 57 graduates). SLP-Audiology was the first career option for 119 (59.2%) of the participants. Interest in the profession was the motivator of choice for 42% of the participants. For 58% of respondents, the University status, the candidate/vacancy ratio and the influence of family members, among others, led to the SLP-Audiology career choice. Profession guides were the main sources of information and 80% of respondents were not satisfied with the information received before entering College, most indicating they would like to learn more about the areas where SLP-Audiologists can work. Conclusion factors unrelated to career affinity where the motivator for the choice of SLP-Audiology profession for most participants. There is need to intensify the information process about this career especially among high school students.