Pedro Mancia Are you searching for a BCBA Job in King of Prussia or the greater philadelphia area? Wondering what your work life would be like as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Behavior Interventions? In this blog, we’re happy to feature one of our current BCBA’s, Trevor, as he shares his experiences with you in this employee feature.
If you’re on the job hunt and exploring BCBA jobs and looking for your next opportunity, please read through his answers below and visit our career page to learn more!
Meet Trevor L, BCBA at Behavior Interventions
- Why did you choose this career path? I always loved working with kids – I worked as a camp counselor, babysitter, volunteered as a youth leader/Sunday school teacher, and went to college to study education. After graduating with a degree in secondary education, I reflected on student teaching experiences and my growing desire to serve populations with special needs. While gaining experience as a TSS, I was introduced to the world of ABA through collaboration with other professionals in my clients’ lives. Once I learned about the BCBA career path and observed ABA sessions, I felt drawn to a career path that was rooted in evidence-based practices in order to produce meaningful outcomes in kids’ and their families’ lives.
- What’s your favorite part about your BCBA job? I am a huge people-person, and in order to be hired as a BCBA, you have to really care about people. I get to work with clients of all ages, families from all different walks of life, and the best colleagues and supervisors. Even on hard days, I can always think of a handful of moments that made me smile and that is all due to the support I receive from my co-workers and the meaningful interactions I have with clients and families.
- How do you collaborate with other members of the Behavior Interventions team? I’ve been lucky to have multiple types of opportunities that allow me to collaborate with members of the Behavior Interventions team often. During monthly group supervision, I gather with other BCBAs from my home office (Exton) and we are always given a chance to discuss clients on our caseload and seek advice and other perspectives. As part of the EIBI and evaluator teams, I also get to build connections with other BCBAs who perform similar roles. As you grow in your role as a BCBA, you develop a foundational toolbox of strategies, experiences and ideas that are openly shared amongst colleagues. In this field, I’ve learned that innovation is admirable, but it’s also important not to reinvent the wheel – collaboration is an invaluable tool to learn and practice what has worked for those who have gone before you.
- How does your job make a lasting impact on the lives of the children you work with and their families? One of the first things you learn in this field is that behavior and communication are inextricably linked. Teaching clients how to express their wants/needs is one of the first steps in helping them interact with the world around them, opening so many doors. It is also exciting to see families apply what is being modeled and taught to them outside of session. Our goal is to not be needed one day, so fostering that confidence in families to utilize strategies for the benefit of their child’s quality of life is incredibly rewarding.
- For anyone considering becoming a BCBA, what advice do you have for them? This field can be draining in multiple aspects (physically, emotionally, mentally). People tend to think self-care only involves activities outside of work, but there are ways to take care of yourself while on the job too. One of the hardest lessons I had to learn (one that my incredible supervisor Lauren Erion teaches me often) is that it’s “not all on you.” You are but one individual making an impact on your client’s life, and you will be able to think more clearly and be more effective as a practitioner once you let the weight of the world off your shoulders. Seek out opportunities to collaborate not just with fellow ABA practitioners, but with your client’s speech, OT, PT, teachers, etc. It’s a good reminder that you are not responsible for all areas of their growth. Another piece of advice is to hold on to your hobbies and relationships outside of work. As a BCBA, you often have the ability to set your own schedule, which can make boundaries difficult to set. Your supervisor is a great resource for helping you look at your schedule and finding ways to maximize your time at work so you can maximize enjoyment of your life outside work as well.
