When someone hears about Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), it is often immediately related to a field that works with children with autism. However, there are a lot of career options for people with an applied behavior analysis degree.
The ABA degree deals with the application of techniques learned through the principles of learning to change significant behaviors in society. The term applied behavior analysis was first known as behavior modification but was changed later on.
Many universities and colleges, Regis College being one of them, offer this program due to the fact that career options are abundant after finishing the course.
Here are some of them:
1. Market Research Analyst
Because the ABA degree deals with the analysis of behaviors and changing these behaviors, companies are often in need of ABA degree holders for market research analysis. The research analysis would serve as a guide for their marketing campaigns and other marketing materials to gain more customers and sell more products.
2. Criminal Profiler
The work of a criminal profiler is to paint a psychological profile and behavioral patterns of a criminal through pieces of evidence gathered from the scene, as well as statements of victims and witnesses.
Although forensic profilers, like those from Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), do not require an ABA degree, the knowledge you gain from the program will be very helpful if you decide to pursue this field.
3. Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
BCBAs work with people with the autism spectrum and other behavioral disorders. Their goal is to help people to understand themselves and find ways to help them function better within society.
They also help and teach the parents, relatives and loved ones of people with autism and other behavior disorders activities and techniques so they, too, can help them to adjust and modify their behavior.
4. Clinical Director
Clinical Directors are the ones who supervise BCBAs and other professionals that help in the treatment of clients. They supervise the overall implementation of the treatments, techniques used, and procedural policies of the institution they are working in.
To become the clinical director of a clinic, treatment facility or other relevant institutions, you need to have extensive experience and training in the field. A master’s degree and a Ph.D. will also give you an edge amongst the competition.
5. Human Resource Professional
A human resource professional’s job requires screening potential employees, recruiting them, and placing them in the field that suits them best. They are also in charge of the payroll, benefits, employee relations, and training the employees so they can be more efficient and become an asset to the company.
An ABA degree can be very helpful and applicable to this field, especially in screening applicants, employee relations, and training, as knowledge of the applied techniques can be handy in affecting employees to gain positive results.
Observation skills used to learn the behavior of employees can also be used to effectively screen the applicants and weed out those whose behavior is not suited to the company. A good HR department can save tons of company money by hiring the right people.
6. Special Education Teacher
Special Education Teachers are those who teach people with various emotional, mental, physical and learning disabilities basic knowledge and skills such as reading and writing. They also teach basic math and other subjects.
A person with an ABA degree can pursue this career as the skills and knowledge they have gained in their degree can make them an effective special education teacher since they would be better equipped to deal with students with special needs.
7. Social Worker
Working as a social worker in government and private institutions who serve people with behavior disorders is another career that an ABA degree holder can pursue. Their skills and knowledge can help them formulate applicable techniques to help people with behavior disorders cope and solve the problems that they encounter every day.
8. School Counselor
The work of a school counselor involves understanding the behavior of children and adolescents. An ABA degree may not be enough to get this job because you would need further certifications and training that focus on the school setting.
When conducting interviews for the role of a school counselor, it is essential to ask relevant questions to assess the candidate’s qualifications and suitability for the position. The interview panel may consider asking questions related to the candidate’s experience in providing guidance and support to students, their understanding of educational psychology and counseling techniques, and their ability to handle challenging situations. Additionally, questions about their knowledge of relevant laws and regulations, their approach to collaboration with teachers and parents, and their familiarity with implementing student success programs may also be explored. The school counselor interview questions and answers can help determine the candidate’s expertise, interpersonal skills, and overall fit for the role.
However, the psychology background can be very helpful in formulating, coordinating, and implementing some support plans for students who have behavioral issues. School counselors can work with teachers and parents to help vulnerable students perform better in school.
9. Researcher
Although only ABA degree holders with a doctoral level are the ones approved to supervise research work in the labor field, ABA degree holders can help as researchers. They can contribute their skills and knowledge in completing the research and publishing the reports that can help gain more knowledge about behaviors and how they can be changed for the better.
Applied behavior analysis, counseling and other behavioral sciences can oftentimes overlap as they are a part or a branch of the study of the mind and behavior, also known as the psychology. Careers in psychology and ABA are, therefore, often related.
