Kristin Schaffer Mendez
Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences
Class of 2022
How are you using the skills that you learned at Moody in your current position?
The skills I learned at UT and within Moody span from specific to broad. Having a knowledge of the scientific process and thinking deeply about topics, while engaging in questioning from different angles is a skill that translates well into a variety of roles and responsibilities in my current position. Also, the skills I learned in qualitative and quantitative research are used all the time in my teaching and research.
Why did you pursue a career in speech, language, and hearing sciences?
I love to help people and I am also very interested in the intersection between the science of treating individuals with neurogenic communication disorders and the art of providing counseling support to patients and families navigating life in the context of a neurological disorder. I find that pursuing a PhD in speech, language, and hearing sciences has enabled me to connect with, learn from, and teach others, all in the overarching interest of advancing the field.
Were you in any student orgs?
Doctoral Student Group
Surround yourself with good people. Find mentors and colleagues who are collaborative and generous in sharing their knowledge and skills. Pay it forward to others as well.
How was your degree helpful to your career?
The Ph.D. has opened doors and provided rich opportunities for collaboration and networking that go beyond anything I could have imagined for my future career. Being a professor, teaching the newest generation of speech-language pathologists, engaging in research and advocacy efforts. I am so grateful that this is the direction my career has taken.
What have you learned so far working in the field?
As with any new experiences in life, there is always a learning curve. Working in academia requires mastery of a new set of skills, and in some respects, a modified version of many of the skills that doctoral students acquire. I embrace the process and am fully committed to the notion of being a lifelong learner.
Were there any words of wisdom from professors that you use at your job today?
Take time to celebrate and savor accomplishments. Work will always be there, and it can wait!
What advice do you have for #TEXASMoody students?
Surround yourself with good people. Find mentors and colleagues who are collaborative and generous in sharing their knowledge and skills. Pay it forward to others as well.
What do you miss most about Moody College?
The people — I was so fortunate to work with and learn from a group of brilliant and kind mentors, professors, colleagues, and friends at Moody.
Can you talk about your career path?
Initially, I worked as a speech-language pathologist in several settings, including private practice, inpatient rehabilitation, and home health. I have always been interested in research and love teaching and mentoring, so I decided to pursue a career transition into academia. I was fortunate to connect with Dr. Maya Henry, who hired me as a research speech-language pathologist in her lab at UT-Austin. From that position, I transitioned into the PhD program, with Dr. Henry as my doctoral advisor. I graduated in 2022 and have been an assistant professor at the University of St. Augustine, here in Austin, for the past year.
What classes/professors helped the most?
It's so hard to choose! I have been fortunate to have been taught and guided by many excellent professors in the fields of speech-language pathology, social work, psychology, and education.
Do you have a favorite project you worked on at your job?
Mentoring students in research and engaging in conversations about their future career goals has been very rewarding.