“You’re the Expert (Even When You Don’t Feel Like One)”

New setting, new caseload, new title… and suddenly everyone calls you the “expert.”

In this candid conversation, Sam Walker shares real-world strategies for navigating unexpected placements, building confidence when you don’t feel ready, advocating for manageable caseloads, and setting boundaries that protect you and your students. If you’ve ever felt like you’re figuring it out on the fly—this one’s for you.

You can pivot—and that’s normal. Your first job may not match your grad-school vision. That isn’t failure; it’s data for your next step.
“Expert” is contextual. It’s okay to say “I don’t know yet.” Pair it with how you’ll find the answer.
Ask better questions. Clarify processes, expectations, supports, and success metrics early to reduce decision fatigue later.
Protect your bandwidth. Boundaries (group size, scheduling blocks, referral gates, and documentation norms) prevent burnout.
Advocate with evidence. Track service minutes, missed minutes, IEP mandates, and travel time to make caseload conversations objective.
Build a micro-support system. Identify a go-to OT/PT/psych/mentor for quick consults; don’t “hero” your way through isolation.
Progress over perfection. Use simple self-rating, brief probes, and high-yield targets to keep therapy moving in messy settings.

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Guests

Samantha Walker
M.S., CCC-SLP/L
Sam is the creative force behind Speaking of Samantics and founder of The SLP Test Prep. With over 400 unique sticker designs, she blends creativity and advocacy to support graduate students in speech pathology. Her interactive platform provides live Kahoot! sessions, recordings, and worksheets to make studying more approachable and effective.

Learning Objectives

Identify strategies for adjusting to unexpected settings or caseloads as a new or early-career SLP.
Describe ways to set professional boundaries and manage workload expectations to prevent burnout.
Apply communication and advocacy techniques when being viewed as the “expert” before feeling fully confident.

“You’re the Expert (Even When You Don’t Feel Like One)”: FREE!
New setting, new caseload, new title… and suddenly everyone calls you the “expert.” In this candid conversation, Sam Walker shares real-world strategies for navigating unexpected placements, building confidence when you don’t feel ready, advocating for manageable caseloads, and setting boundaries that protect you and your students. If you’ve ever felt like you’re figuring it out on the fly—this one’s for you. Includes access to the recorded episode. No ASHA reporting offered for this episode.

Add-ons

Speech Sound Disorders Series Bundle 2025

$150.00

The bundle includes the 90-min live replay co-presented by Drs. Sharynne McLeod and Kelly Farquharson, "Clinical Use of Speech Sound Acquisition Data", an 60-min by Dr. Farquharson, "/ɹ/ you frustrated by working on /ɹ/? Try facilitative contexts!", and a 12--min course by Dr. McLeod, "Multilingual Children’s Speech Assessment: A Contemporary Global Update". Includes access to the live replay, 2 recorded courses, and optional ASHA reporting for all 3 courses.