Personal to Professional: Finding the Right Mix

By Hector Sanchez

When I was offered the chance to write about the topic for this month, I was thrilled for the opportunity to give my two cents on incredibly relevant topics such as mental wellness, networking, self-advocacy, and other tough conversations. As a graduate student, there is always plenty of research to study, work to do, and patients to see. My advice is to focus on finding a healthy work-life balance.

Go for a run, take a bike ride to your local farmer’s market, read a book while enjoying the sunset, or do another activity that can help ground you and help you stay present in the current moment instead of worrying about the future. Prioritize eating full, balanced meals rather than snacks, even if you only have time to prepare a PB&J or another favorite sandwich. It is important to realize that although you have a myriad of responsibilities as a student, showing up for yourself is the best way to support yourself physically and mentally.

Early on in our career, we are told about the importance of networking, a task which often poses a challenge for even the most advanced academics and clinicians. Conferences, such as the annual AAA conference, are a great way to network socially and professionally. There are also many organizations and groups, including the national Student Academy of Audiology (SAA), that allow students to have a voice in supporting their fellow peers and meet professionals at all stages of their career. National SAA offers town hall meetings, advocacy initiatives, and virtual  seminars, all of which offer opportunities to find new interests and meet new people. In your local community, volunteering with groups including early intervention programs and Special Olympics are great ways to foster interdisciplinary connections as well as connections with students and audiologists across your state.

Conversations surrounding advocacy may be uncomfortable, however these conversations are often crucial for rising clinicians. As students, you are pushed to always strive to become the best clinicians possible, but every student can tell you that this is no easy task. You are also expected to do hard things, encounter stressful conversations, and sometimes navigate difficult circumstances in both your personal and professional lives. It’s not always easy to maintain your composure and level of professionalism both within and outside of the clinic. It is important to understand that your emotions are valid. Ignoring your feelings can manifest into greater issues down the road so it is crucial to address negative moments quickly when they arise.

Next, it is important to set appropriate personal and professional boundaries. Boundaries are essential in all work environments to maintain healthy relationships and foster mutual respect. Finally, try to build up your support system. Clinical supervisors, members of your cohort, and friends in your community can all provide important perspectives when navigating a difficult situation. Our member relations committee pulled together a few professional wellness resources to help balance professional and personal interests on the SAA website. Those resources are available on the new audiologist resources web page at the bottom. Remember: in order to take care of your current and future patients, you need to first take care of yourself!