My name is Olivia Musto and I am a senior Communicative Disorders major at the University of Rhode Island (URI). I am making this portfolio to share my experience as an intern in the field of speech-language pathology. This website will also portray my dedicated work ethic over the past four years as an undergraduate at the University of Rhode Island, through my affiliations with different organizations, leadership roles and extra curricular activities. 

     I have a strong passion for the field of work that I am pursuing. All of my life I knew that my career would have something to do with working with people and helping them. After dipping my toes into different fields in high school through observations and research, I came to realize what a love I have for the field of speech-langauge pathology. I have learned how important communication is, and how most of us with little trouble communicating take it for granted. In this field you have the ability to change peoples lives at all ages. From helping a toddler with delayed speech, to an elder regaining their speaking ability after a stroke, it is reasurring to know that I will be dedicated to helping people with issues that can seriously change their quality of life. I know that this field is very rewarding. It is wonderful to see your patients' progress with their speech and language disorders. I am pursuing this field because I have a passion to help others and to improve their quality of life. With assistance for a speech or langauge disorder, a lot progress and happiness can be made.

     Through these internships I hope to gain more insight into the field of speech pathology and what the typical work day is like. I also hope to learn how to apply the information I have learned in the classroom to the real world.    

     In addition to my studies, I am also very involved in the URI community. Over the past four years I have become an active member of clubs and organizations and have held leadership roles in most of them. Also, some of my hobbies include snowboarding and crafting. I also like to spend my spare time at the beach with familiy and friends. I am a "people person", always surrounding myself with good company. 

     In my portfolio you can expect to get a glimpse of my experiences as the speech pathologist's intern at the South Kingstown Inclusionary Pre-School as well as at  Easter Seals Early Intervention by clicking on their specific tabs and navigating through the website. You can also access a little bit about my life outside of the classroom through the "Resume" and "Leadership and Extracurricular Activities" tabs. Enjoy!