Rosabel has been driven by her need to help others all her life. “When I was younger, my ambition was to contribute back to society and make a difference in someone’s life, no matter how big or small the difference,” she shared. While dedicating her life to the service of others has been her goal, she only found her niche later at university.

She first pursued an undergraduate programme in Linguistics due to her fascination with language as a powerful communication tool. It was there the subject of Speech Therapy first came up. “I first heard about Speech Therapy from my professors in school, but it was in my third year that I was exposed to modules related to speech therapy, which sparked my interest in the field,” she said.

As she delved deeper into the subject, she quickly found herself intrigued by the multifaceted nature of speech therapy. Hearing about her professors’ personal experiences in the field only deepened her interest. Rosabel gained first-hand experience when she volunteered with an acutehospital, working with speech therapists to gain insight into their profession. Her time there confirmed her passion for the job and cemented her decision to pursue it as a career.

Rosabel was initially made aware of the Healthcare Graduate Studies Award by senior peers in her field. As she delved into the details, she found the prospect of attending overseas courses particularly appealing. As was the chance to participate in activities that would enable her to engage with like-minded individuals.

Upon being awarded the scholarship, she was able to tap into her Scholars’ Development Fund to upgrade herself by attending some courses and gain certification in certain therapy techniques e.g. Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT Loud®) and even improved her proficiency in the Malay language. “Given the diverse ethnic and social backgrounds of the people I work with on a daily basis, this language proficiency has proven invaluable in enabling me to interact with them more effectively,” she said.

In addition to expanding her knowledge and skills, Rosabel gained a valuable opportunity to put her passion for serving into practice through events hosted by her organisation-an experience that taught her a lot. “It gave me a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare journey an individual might undergo within Singapore’s healthcare system.”

Rosabel’s education in Linguistics gave her the foundation to pursue a Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology. The programme offered a problem-based learning approach and a wide range of clinical placements. These experiences provided her with the knowledge and skills required for her role as a Speech Therapist today.

“Many courses in the programme are taught by experienced Speech Therapists who have been in the field for many years, so having access to such knowledgeable instructors instilled in me the confidence that whatever I had acquired would be relevant and applicable in my current role,” explained Rosabel.

She also had the opportunity to connect with alumni from previous batches who were willing to share their work experience and impart valuable advice. “Through the programme, I have not only gained colleagues but also lifelong friends,” she said.

Contrary to popular belief, Speech Therapists are not focused solely on speech. As a Speech Therapist at Alexandra Hospital, Rosabel also aids with assessing and managing various conditions including swallowing, language, voice, and fluency disorders. No two days are alike working, but she offers us some insight into what an average day on the job is like.

“A typical day for me would usually include first going through the cases for the day, then heading off to see patients either to access and manage patient’s ability to swallow, or to provide therapy for communication difficulties,” she said. “After reviewing patients, much of our time is also spent documenting our assessments and patients’ progress. We also work closely with other colleagues such as the medical team and other professionals such as nurses or dietitians to ensure more holistic care is provided for the patient.”

Rosabel finds her job incredibly rewarding, especially with her role in giving people a voice and guiding them to safe food and drink consumption. “As I interact with more patients, I realise that while I teach patients every day, be it in swallow exercises or communication tasks, I am also constantly learning from them,” she added. “Their resilience, tenacity and motivation to improve never fail to amaze me.”

With Rosabel’s propensity for helping others, she feels privileged to be a part of an organisation like NUHS. “Not only does the organisation provide medical care, but it also emphasises greatly on conducting healthcare research and provides healthcare professionals with the opportunities to train and grow clinically.”

Rosabel hopes to add more clinical skills to her growing arsenal such as video fluoroscopy and managing complex medical populations. She also aims to impart what she’s learned to others.

“As I continue to grow in experience, I am also open to becoming an educator, to teach future students, just like how my previous trainers and supervisors have inspired me, and I hope to be able to pass down the same level of dedication and passion for speech therapy to others,” she stated.

Rosabel encourages others who are considering a similar career path to have a clear understanding of their motivations before committing to it. For those who desire to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives, Rosabel believes that healthcare is the ideal profession. She said, “If you are passionate about helping others and have the desire to make a difference in someone’s life, then healthcare is the job for you!”

This article was first published in BrightSparks Magazine July 2023. Republished with permission from CareerBuilder Singapore.