With a natural sense of creativity and a love of working with her hands, Emma Maxfield initially pursued a degree in the creative industries. But as graduation approached, she began to question whether that path was right for her.
“I knew I wasn’t ready to jump straight into a creative field,” she says. “I took some time to reflect, and during that period a friend shared her experiences studying speech pathology. Like many people, I only associated it with helping children with speech difficulties. But as she described the depth and breadth of the work, something clicked for me.”
That curiosity led Emma to the Master of Speech Pathology, and she hasn’t looked back.
“One of the biggest highlights for me was the style of learning,” she says. “Classes taught me that I don’t need to have all the answers, but I do need to ask the right questions, work collaboratively and draw on the strengths of others.”
Emma also valued the diverse clinical placements that gave her real-world experience.
“Classroom learning is one thing, but working with real people and their families is something else entirely. At first, I was nervous, but over time that shifted. I started connecting more deeply with the individual, learning in the moment and realising that people don’t need someone with a perfect script, they need someone who’s present and authentic.”
Through her placements, Emma learned that being a speech pathologist isn’t just about clinical knowledge. It’s about flexibility, empathy and creativity.
“Plans will always change and being adaptable is crucial. I’ve also come to value the importance of staying curious and creative in my practice.”
Emma received two awards for her studies: The Dean's Award for Academic Achievement and the Speech Pathology Australia Award – Graduate Entry Masters (for most outstanding clinical and academic performance).
And while her long-term goal is to work with adults with acquired neurogenic communication disorders, she’s starting her career with an open mind.
“I’m eager to work with people across the lifespan and with a range of communication needs so that I can continue developing my clinical confidence. I want to discover what I’m drawn to and what I find most fulfilling as a clinician.”
She’s also discovered that her creative background is more relevant than she expected.
“It’s helped me think outside the box and tailor therapy to the individual, rather than treating each case as routine. No two people are the same, and that’s what makes this work so meaningful.”
