PURPOSE: To investigate the perceptions of newly graduated Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP) from the state of Rio de Janeiro regarding their academic formation, professional goals and search for knowledge updates. METHODS: SLPs graduated from universities located at the state of Rio de Janeiro during the years of 2005 and 2006 participated in the study. A questionnaire with ten closed questions, developed for the present study and validated through a pilot study, was applied. Data were statistically analyzed comparing different variables. RESULTS: It was observed that the majority of the SLPs interviewed considered that their expectations were met and felt safe about the knowledge acquired (p<0.001). These professionals wish to act mostly in clinics (89%), and intend to continue their studies through lato sensu programs (70%). Language was considered the area in which they received the best support during their training (68%), while Public Health was the area in which they considered to have received less support (72%), and this difference was statistically significant. Industry was considered the most difficult workplace to be accessed by SLPs (p<0,05). CONCLUSION: Newly graduated SLPs from the state of Rio de Janeiro considered to have met their expectations regarding their formation, especially in the Language area, and showed more interest for the clinical setting. Lato sensu programs were the most attractive to the population studied for updating their knowledge.
Professional training; Speech, language and hearing sciences; Education, continuing; Job market
