Speech-language pathology is ranked 14th among the top 25 jobs and third among social service jobs in the Best Jobs of 2012 report published by U.S. News and World Report.

When speaking with professionals in the social services category, U.S. News reporters identified a resounding theme: "The majority of people who work in these occupations feel their job wasn't a choice but rather a calling to positively affect other people's lives."

A recent public example of the impact that speech-language pathologists have is the remarkable recovery of speech by former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Speech-language pathologists "find their work fulfilling," said Shelly Chabon, PhD, CCC-SLP, president of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), because they make a "positive difference."

Besides fulfillment, the career offers growth and stability. Only 1 percent of ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists and audiologists reported being unemployed and seeking employment, according to data for 2011.

To view the U.S. News & World Report ranking, go to http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2012/02/27/the-best-25-jobs-of-2012-rankings.