Aja shares the motivations and insights gained from volunteering at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention and attending the American Auditory Society (AAS) conference. She highlights the transformative impact of the Welter-Muzic fellowship and small grant in aligning her passion for diversity and inclusion in audiology, emphasizing the valuable perspectives and experiences gained through these conferences in shaping her dedicated pursuit of inclusive practices in her career.
What motivated you to apply for the student volunteer role at the ASHA Convention, and what surprising insights or knowledge did you gain from the experience?
The main reason I applied to be a volunteer at the 2023 ASHA Convention was to gain firsthand experience at a national professional conference. A future goal of mine is to present my research at prestigious conferences like ASHA. This opportunity provided me invaluable insights into navigating a national meeting and learning from observing other student presentations throughout the event. This knowledge will be instrumental in preparing me for my own future presentations and engagement within the field. Additionally, the experience allowed me to understand the networking dynamics at a large professional event. It allowed me to learn about cutting-edge, high-quality research and clinical practice. Lastly, through the graduate school fair, I learned more about my options and was able to vet several programs.
What sparked your interest in attending the AAS conference, and what are your expectations for the event?
Compared to ASHA, AAS is a more technical conference focused on auditory research. My goal in attending AAS was to explore different research areas more deeply within audiology. I was able to do so by attending several podium and poster presentations. I initially expected a similar experience to ASHA. However, AAS was more networking heavy, with many opportunities to engage one-on-one with researchers. This allowed me to connect further with graduate students and professional researchers, including famous auditory scientists.
By helping you attend these conferences, how has the Welter-Muzic fellowship helped align your passion for fostering diversity and inclusion in communication science and audiology?
The Welter-Muzic fellowship has been instrumental in aligning my passion for fostering diversity and inclusion in audiology, providing crucial support for attending conferences like ASHA and AAS. This fellowship has transformed my enthusiasm into a tangible and purposeful career path. Through these conferences, I've gained valuable insights into the latest research in communication science, with AAS offering a deep dive into unfamiliar topics such as dementia, hearing aid processing, and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder. Building on my prior project experience focused on the prevalence of misdiagnosis among minorities and the importance of a diverse workforce, I entered these conferences with a strong foundation in understanding the cultural and linguistic factors impacting communication disorders. This background heightened my awareness of healthcare disparities and diagnosis rates within minority communities, reinforcing the significance of incorporating culturally sensitive approaches in audiological practices. The Welter-Muzic fellowship has allowed me to engage with diverse perspectives and approaches within audiology. This exposure has been invaluable in shaping my understanding of the field's challenges and opportunities, particularly in the context of diversity and inclusion. As I continue to pursue my career in audiology, I am dedicated to leveraging these experiences to advocate for inclusive practices, address disparities, and contribute to improved approaches that recognize and respect the unique needs of individuals from various racial and linguistic backgrounds.