If you’ve ever felt like you’re lost in a maze when it comes to figuring out your career, you’re not alone. Career exploration can be incredibly exciting, but equally incredibly daunting. It isn’t just about landing any job; it’s about finding where your passions meet today’s market, and that can feel tough to tackle.
And in the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), this journey can be both nerve-wracking and confusing! After all, ABA isn’t your average field. It’s a blend of psychology, education, and behavioral sciences, all aimed at helping improve people’s quality of life. Think autistic kids and adults or individuals with behaviors that challenge—ABA pros are working with them daily, making a real difference.
Plus, ABA isn’t one-size-fits-all. From clinics to classrooms, there’s something for everyone.
As a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training provider, we know just how important it is to build a solid foundation if you want to work in ABA or a related field. Whether you’re beefing up your resume or aiming for acceptance into a grad program, exploring your career can be incredibly exciting.
Below, we’re sharing more on the different career paths inside the field of ABA. By checking out these different paths, you can update your resume accordingly (and improve your chances of getting accepted into a great program!).
Understanding Applied Behavior Analysis
Let’s start by breaking down ABA in simple terms. Ultimately, ABA is all about understanding why people do what they do and helping them make positive changes.
The Ins and Outs of ABA
Think of ABA as a science-backed way to understand and adjust behavior. It’s rooted in behaviorism, which basically says behavior can be learned and changed with the proper methods. Here’s what ABA is all about:
- Behavior is observable and measurable: ABA focuses on specific behaviors we can see and track. This helps us keep tabs on progress and see what’s working (or what’s not!).
- Understanding behavior’s purpose: ABA believes every behavior has a reason behind it. By figuring out why someone acts a certain way, we can design interventions that actually help them change their behavior.
- The power of reinforcement: ABA loves rewarding good behavior. By giving props for positive actions, we motivate people to keep it up.
- Tailored treatment: ABA doesn’t do copy-and-paste. It’s all about customizing interventions to fit each person’s individual needs and strengths.
- Data-driven decisions: ABA relies on numbers to guide our moves. By crunching data, we can tweak interventions and keep making progress.
Still have questions about ABA? Be sure to send us a message!
The Role of RBTs in ABA
Now, let’s talk about RBTs—the rockstars of ABA services. RBTs are the hands-on heroes who bring interventions to life. They help implement behavior intervention plans, collect data on client behavior, and help with functional behavior assessments.
RBTs care deeply about their clients, providing support to both them and their families. They’re also excellent team members, collaborating with their coworkers to ensure everyone is on the same page and interventions are effective.
RBTs are absolutely instrumental in supporting neurodivergent individuals and helping them achieve their goals.
Overview of Graduate Programs in ABA
If you’re considering diving deeper into ABA, grad school might be on your radar. These programs pack a punch with advanced training in all things behavior. If you were to go this route, you would be doing coursework in behavior analysis principles, ethics, and research methods.
You’d also have different opportunities for research and thesis/dissertation projects—perfect for those passionate about their studies and who want to make an impact in the field of ABA. Many graduate students also prep for certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Different ABA graduate programs have different focus areas, so you’ll want to do your research and pick a program that matches up with your career goals.
ABA Career Paths
Whether you want to help people in clinics, schools, labs, or even start your own thing, there’s a spot for you in ABA. Here are some common ABA career paths.
Clinical Settings
Clinical settings are where individuals receive direct behavior analysis services. The most common career in a clinical setting is that of a Behavior Analyst or Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). In both jobs, you’ll develop behavior plans and oversee ABA programs.
Here, you might also look into becoming a Clinical Supervisor, where you support your staff and make sure all interventions are effective. A Program Coordinator is a similar option, where you’ll manage staffing, scheduling, and programs to make sure every client is well cared for.
A clinical setting is perfect for those who want to focus on developing behavior plans while still having opportunities to climb the rankings of ABA.
Educational Settings
Have you ever thought about being the hero in a classroom? If the answer is yes, you might want to look into becoming a School-Based Behavior Analyst. You’ll collaborate with school staff and parents to create behavior plans and help students with behaviors that challenge.
Or, you might become a Special Education Teacher, working with students who are disabled, helping them succeed both inside and outside of the classroom. This role is an excellent option for those interested in working with students outside of a clinical setting.
Those interested in working in education could also become School Counselors, helping students work through both emotional and social challenges either individually or in groups. No matter your interests, there are plenty of options for those hoping to work in a classroom!
Research and Academia
Research and academia offer opportunities for ABA pros to advance the field itself. This field is great for those interested in better understanding ABA principles.
You might become a Research Assistant, helping with behavior analysis research by collecting data, analyzing findings, and preparing reports. University Instructors are another option, where you’d teach behavior analysis courses at college, conduct research, and supervise student projects.
Or, you could simply be an Academic Researcher, conducting original behavior analysis research, sharing findings in journals and conferences, and securing project funding. Though you won’t work directly with clients, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make ABA a stronger, more inclusive field.
Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Looking to be your own boss? If working for yourself appeals to you, you might want to consider becoming a Private Practice Owner, providing ABA services to clients in different settings, such as homes, schools, and communities. Think about becoming a consultant as well, so you can train organizations, schools, and agencies in developing ABA programs.
And if you love being in front of a crowd, you could run your own workshops, seminars, or online courses for ABA professionals, helping them develop their skills and better care for clients. Regardless of what you choose, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you can make your own schedule!
The field of ABA offers many opportunities, many of which start with completing an RBT training program.
Here at Jigsaw, our mission is to equip you with top-notch training to confidently launch your career in ABA. If you’re seeking flexible RBT training that empowers you to make a difference, give our Jigsaw Training online RBT course a try for free. We’ll make sure you have all of the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in ABA!