Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with children and adults who have speaking, communication, and swallowing disorders. As an SLP, your duties include evaluating patients and diagnosing their issues, often in several categories including language, speech, social communication, and cognitive communication. In this job, you may provide aural rehabilitation as well as alternative communication systems to your patients. The qualifications to have a career as an SLP include earning a graduate degree, completing the necessary clinical requirements, and passing the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology exam. If you intend to go into college teaching or private practice, you also need to earn a doctorate.