Consultant Journeys
From Clinic to Classroom
Burnout, rigid schedules, and limited room to grow are common in clinical settings. Hear from two speech-language pathologists who made the move to school-based work through NOVA, and what they found on the other side.
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Feeling Stuck in the Clinic? How Annie Rediscovered Her Love of Speech Therapy
After burnout in the clinic and a lonely stretch in solo private practice, Annie found autonomy, flexibility, and a supportive team through NOVA.
After working as a speech-language pathologist in the clinic for several years, the signs of burnout were everywhere. I was constantly dreading the long days and the lack of opportunities to move up in my position or vary the work. I felt stuck. I started looking around for other options, but nothing seemed quite right. I had no idea what to do next. Should I go back to school and spend thousands of dollars on another degree just to try to move up in my career? Even if I tried that, would it help? Eek!
Eventually, I came across information about starting my own private practice on social media. I thought, "Maybe this would be perfect!" I could see clients in their homes, specialize in certain areas, and have a lot of flexibility as my own boss. Social media made it look so easy and rewarding. Well, this certainly was a start in the right direction, but the reality was that it was hard to find clients, difficult to make a full salary, and isolating as a solo therapist. I was still feeling lost.
Then, I got a LinkedIn message from someone at NOVA Educational Consultants.
She presented an opportunity to continue working through my own company but partner with a team of driven, hardworking educators providing excellent services to students while also improving the quality of work for educators. Could it be too good to be true?
This seemed to tick all the boxes of what I was looking for. More autonomy and flexibility, an ability to provide fulfilling services to students while also advancing my career, and a supportive team to collaborate with. It was certainly worth finding out more. After meeting with NOVA, it was clear to me that the members were serious about their mission. Every person I talked to was passionate about their work. I could tell that NOVA fostered a collaborative atmosphere and that the members were eager to help and support one another. I had not worked as a school-based SLP since I was a graduate student, so this support was critical for me. At this point, my questions were answered, the research was done, and I was ready to make the leap!
And now, as I’m wrapping up my second school year and getting ready to start my third as a NOVA consultant, I can confidently say thank goodness I trusted my gut and made the leap! I’ve been able to grow personally and professionally and rediscover my love of being an SLP. If you’re reading this and have had similar thoughts of feeling stuck or lost, just know you’re not alone. There are real options out there. Let’s chat!
Leaving a "Secure" Healthcare Job: Amber Koch on Making the Leap to Education
Amber shares what worried her about leaving corporate healthcare, what gave her the confidence to go independent, and the balance she's found working in schools.
NOVA: What made you consider options outside of healthcare?
AK: After several years in a clinic setting working with both pediatric and adult populations, I started to reflect on my long-term goals and overall well-being. While I loved supporting my patients, I found myself consistently stretched thin with a demanding schedule that made it difficult to maintain the work-life balance I wanted. I began exploring opportunities that would allow me to continue making an impact while also offering more flexibility, sustainable hours, and professional growth.
NOVA: What was your biggest reservation about making a change?
AK: The biggest concern I had was stepping away from the stability of a "secure" corporate healthcare role and transitioning into something that felt much more independent, essentially becoming an entrepreneur. That uncertainty concerned the consistency of hours, benefits, and navigating a new professional landscape. It was definitely a leap outside of my comfort zone!
NOVA: What gave you the confidence to take the leap?
AK: What ultimately gave me the confidence was recognizing my own skill set and adaptability. As a speech-language pathologist, I had already developed strong problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills that translate well across settings. I also connected with others, like our awesome team at NOVA, who had made similar transitions and saw firsthand how fulfilling and sustainable their careers had become. That combination of self-trust and seeing real examples made the leap feel not only possible, but exciting.
NOVA: What do you enjoy about working in education through NOVA?
AK: What I enjoy most about working in education with NOVA is the balance it provides, both professionally and personally. I'm able to focus on meaningful, impactful work with students while having a schedule that supports my life outside of work. There's also a strong sense of collaboration and support, which makes a big difference day-to-day. It feels rewarding to be part of a system that values both the people we serve and the professionals providing that service.
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