Her Story
About Grace
Grace Major is a speech language pathologist and owner of her own practice in Santa Monica, California. After completing five years of graduate school in New York while working as a waitress and bartender, she built her career through tenacity and dedication. Her practice focuses on home care and facility visits, with a specialization in swallowing disorders and dysphagia for adults with conditions such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and post-cancer treatment, as well as work with pediatric clients on the spectrum. She emphasizes patient-led, Montessori-based therapy and values authenticity, keeping sessions simple and practical rather than relying on fancy materials. Major attributes her success to the push from her parents toward a meaningful career and her own sustained effort through challenging times, and she advises young professionals to persevere through graduate school and use phrases like "I'll get back to you" when uncertain in practice.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Grace
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to good old-fashioned tenacity and the push from my parents to choose a meaningful career. During grad school I waitressed and bartended in New York while doing clinical work during the day and classes in between, paying my dues without partying or having a traditional college experience. I put my head down and worked through it knowing the payoff would come, and now on the other side I see that not everybody can do that kind of sustained effort.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Grad school is the hurdle so don't give up there. Trust yourself, you wouldn't be there if you didn't deserve to be. Learn the basics, ask questions when you need, and survive it because everything gets easier after. Once in practice, let the phrase 'I'll get back to you' be your best friend when you don't know something, rather than letting urgency freak you out.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is lack of education about exactly what SLPs do and the scientific principles behind things like swallowing or late talkers. Caregivers and parents often don't realize how their well-intentioned questioning can hinder the evaluation process by bombarding kids or patients and disrupting their flow, and there's a systemic need for more accessible community education resources like bite-sized podcasts on practical topics.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity above all else, and keeping things simple and bare bones rather than fancy or showy. I believe effective treatment can come from just a pencil and paper if needed, and I show up exactly as I am to meet clients exactly where they are in their homes without all the matching sets and gadgets that look perfect on social media.
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