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CSD student finds his passion, shares through Instagram
As a first-year student, Ian Hepler was pursuing a major that, though interesting, was not the right fit for him. He talked with a family friend who is a speech-language pathologist and discovered that Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) could be the path to his dream career. After exploring his options with advisers at the University and in the department, Hepler switched majors and dove into his studies in CSD.
Hepler, now a senior, embraced all the educational and volunteer opportunities available through the major. He is a member of the Penn State chapters of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA), the Sign Language Organization (SLO), and the Audiology Club. He has also completed observation hours at Penn State’s Speech Language Hearing Clinic, acts as a teaching assistant for introductory CSD courses, and has been an undergraduate researcher in the Experimental Phonetics Lab with Michael Robb, professor of communication sciences and disorders.
“It’s easy to be passive and go through the motions – attend classes, study, take exams – but if you don’t take it a step further, what’s the point? I think to make something meaningful you need to take the foundation of what you’re learning and translate that into action,” said Hepler.
He also shares his life and the things he has learned as an Instagram Ambassador for the College of Health and Human Development, a initiative developed to highlight the student experience through the lives of those within its majors. As a representative of CSD, Hepler uses his HHD Instagram account, @ian.csd, to post photos and stories of his classroom and volunteer experiences, life on campus, profiles of CSD faculty and students, and HHD events.
Author
Mary
Campbell
In his own words: Helping individuals find their passion in CSD
Transcript
Being an Instagram Ambassador has given me so many opportunities to talk with students and faculty about their experience, and it’s further cultivated my interest and ambitions in the field. And that’s really what I want people to take from my content – an interest in CSD and speech-language pathology. As people are living longer, have better medical care, and services are offered to young people at an earlier age, there is an increasing need for speech-language pathologists and audiologists, so introducing new people to what we do and building diversity in our field is really important.
Hepler, who hopes to pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology at Penn State after earning his bachelor’s degree, wants to use his platform to invite others to discover the major and make the discipline more accessible and visible for prospective students, alumni, and anyone curious about what life is like for an undergraduate student in the department.
“Being an Instagram Ambassador has really solidified my relationship with CSD. I’ve come to understand my own intrinsic passion for speech–language pathology, the value of communication and being engaged, and the power of sharing that passion with others,” said Hepler. “I’ve been able to get to know the faculty, who are really the heart of the experience in CSD, and reach out to students and different groups within the department.”
Jenna Eldreth, an academic adviser in CSD, has worked with Ian since he changed majors and appreciates his efforts to share his passion for speech-language pathology and helping other people understand the discipline.
“It can be daunting for any student to make the decision to change majors, but since day one of becoming a CSD student, Ian has taken full advantage of all the opportunities available to him with excitement and dedication,” Eldreth said. “He is someone that I know I can call on to help us promote the major to exploratory students by eagerly sharing his experiences, the incredible things CSD has to offer, and his future pursuits.”
“For Ian, it is about more than just academics and checking the right boxes, it is a pure enthusiasm for speech-language pathology, and I think he demonstrates this in his commitments and how he has decided to spend his time.”
Hepler shares his experience on Instagram
Follow @ian.csd as he shares what it’s like to be a Communication Sciences and Disorders undergraduate student, including photos and stories of his classroom and volunteer experiences, life on campus, profiles of CSD faculty and students, and HHD events.
As part of his commitment to turning ideals into actions, Hepler is serving with AmeriCorps this summer through the Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps Program in Knox, Pennsylvania. As a member of the Weed and Seed Hot Spots program, a host site sponsored by Keystone SMILES, he helps prepare and distribute meals for local families. The Weed and Seed Hot Spot program also hosts kids throughout the year, providing a safe haven for local, at-risk youth.
“With speech-language pathology, being knowledgeable, passionate, and committed renders you better able to serve your clients and the people you work with,” said Hepler, who would like to work as a speech-language pathologist at an elementary school or rehabilitative hospital. “As people are living longer and receiving better medical care, as well as starting early intervention services even earlier with young children, the need for speech-language pathologists is growing every day. If I can help grow the field even a little with this platform, it will be a worthwhile venture.”
Photo Credits
Photos: Ian Hepler
Author
Mary Campbell
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