It is a well-known fact that everyone suffers from emotional, mental, or behavioral disorders now and then. The NIH (National Institute of Mental Health) states that one out of five adults in America suffers from such conditions. Such people have taken help and guidance from trained ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) professionals in recent years. Also referred to as learning theory and behavior modification, ABA involves evidence-based learning to improve specific human behaviors like learning or social skills.
Enrolling yourself in an ABA degree program will be the first step in the right direction if you want to help other people. When students go for an ABA degree, they have to cultivate a particular skill set necessary to succeed in such a field. Some of these skills include necessary competencies like critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving. Other more specialized skills include relationship building and interpersonal skills. A successful ABA professional must also have communication skills that incorporate various elements such as listening, speaking, and writing. Approachability, empathy, and compassion are also necessary to be successful in such a field. However, these skills will be useless if you cannot apply them in a professional setting. Today, we will look at a few career paths available to an ABA degree holder. Please take a look at some of them down below.
- BCBA(Board Certified Behavior Analyst)
Individuals can become BCBAs if they want to practice privately in their clinic. These professionals usually supervise other BCBAs and registered behavior technicians. Their duties include creating behavior plans, assessing students with severe or complex behavioral disorders, managing assaultive behavior, and much more. Sometimes BCBAs work with autistic people as well, although it is not an autism-related certification. To qualify for such a certificate, candidates must complete a graduate-level degree such as a masters in applied behavior analysis online or through a campus-based university. They must also have a few years of supervised working experience in behavioral research. After obtaining this certification, BCBAs must renew it after every two years. Expect to earn anywhere from around 56,000 to 75,000 dollars per year as a board-certified behavioral analyst.
- Social Worker
Social workers leave their mark on the lives of people all around the world. They usually work with adults or children who have to deal with lifestyle changes, loss of family, illness diagnoses, and much more. They meet with people suffering from such issues to determine what their needs are. Who knows, they might need various resources to overcome life’s challenges, recover from sickness, or improve the overall quality of their lives. A social worker has ample knowledge about community resources to help every individual with varying needs and requirements.
An individual with an ABA degree can work as a social worker. An ABA degree will provide candidates with soft skills such as communication and organization skills necessary to succeed as a social worker. It will allow them to maintain client records and knowledge about the various available state or local resources. Expect to earn anywhere from around 32,000 dollars to 66,000 dollars per year working as a social worker.
- Counselor
A career in counseling is by far the most common career choice for an ABA degree holder. The counseling field has seen steady growth over the last two years. It has a projected job outlook far more significant than any other area. According to Burning Glass Technologies’ research, around one out of five employees searching for counselors prefer candidates with an ABA degree.
The counseling field incorporates various specialties. A counselor can find work in colleges, clinics, hospitals, public schools, or therapy programs. They work with disabled individuals, adults, children, drug addicts, and low-income families to help them tackle various obstacles and challenges in their lives. Of course, a candidate’s job outlook and salary will vary according to the specialization they pursue. However, an ABA degree holder counselor’s average pay is around 46,240 dollars per year.
- Special Education Assistant
An ABA degree holder will be tremendously helpful when working with individuals with special needs. According to special education experts, having experience working with autistic individuals is the most desired skill an ABA professional can possess. Also, previous experience working with disabled individuals is a highly desired trait.
As special education assistants, ABA degree holders can work in private or public schools, facilities for autistic and disabled people, hospitals, clinics, and much more. Some special education assistants may also provide at-home teaching sessions. Besides teaching children with special needs, these professionals also have to guide parents on helping and fulfilling their specials children’s requirements.
- Psychologist’s Assistant
About more than half of all job listings for ABA professionals particularly request that need to have a strong background in the psychology field. Such a point also coincides with the BLS’s prediction about psychology-related careers that will grow much quicker than any other career choice.
Individuals who possess an ABA master’s degree will not be able to work as psychologists or psychiatrists. However, they can often assist them with clinical tasks, counseling, or research. Graduates who choose to work as a psychologist’s assistant will have to acquire 15 certifications from the ABPP(American Board of Professional Psychology). Expect an average salary of about 26,350 dollars per year while working as one.
Conclusion
Opportunities abound for passionate, patient, and hardworking ABA professionals who wish to work in the social work, healthcare, and education sectors. And according to the BLS, such as field will continue to grow at an above-average pace, making it the right time to acquire a degree in applied behavior analysis. So, go ahead and enroll in the university of your choice and take advantage of numerous career paths available at your disposal after graduation.
