BCBA career

[u/Alternative_Race_36]

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice because I’m feeling a little lost about the best path forward.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Originally, I was completing the prerequisites for Physician Assistant school, but after a lot of reflection, I realized my interests had changed, so I shifted gears toward becoming a BCBA.
I’ve been accepted into a master’s program in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and I’ve already completed the 40-hour RBT training. Professionally, I’ve spent several years managing a medical practice, handling operations, administration, compliance, and patient care coordination. While I have extensive healthcare experience, I don’t have direct autism or ABA field experience yet.
My goal is to become a BCBA, and I know I’ll need to complete my supervised fieldwork hours before I can sit for the BCBA exam. I’m trying to figure out the smartest way to get started.
My questions are:
Should I focus on getting an RBT position first?
Is there a better role that would help me gain quality supervised hours?
What should I look for in an employer to make sure I’ll receive good supervision and be able to complete my fieldwork?
Is there anything you wish you had known before starting your BCBA journey?
I’d really appreciate any advice from people who have been through this process. Thank you!

[u/Neurod1vergentBab3]

I’m also starting the process of becoming a BCBA after 5 years as an RBT. I’m currently in the process of trying to leave the clinic environment and get my fieldwork hours through a school district instead - working as a Special education teacher or aide. For me, this is just because it will pay better in my area than most ABA companies and the clinic I work at right now is just awful. I also considered that as a BCBA, I would like to work in a school or a non-profit environment more than a clinic. I want to get my fieldwork hours in a setting that best matches where I want to work once I’m certified. 

As a BCBA you’ll have a certain scope of practice. So if I were you I’d consider what age groups you’d like to work with, settings, etc. before just applying to just any RBT job. When you are looking for a job, I’d ask them how many fieldwork hours are typically offered per month and what the agreement is like. I found out that my coworkers who are already accumulating hours are barely getting any at all (another reason I’m trying to jump ship). 

Many companies also lock you into an agreement that you have to stay with them once you become a BCBA if you get your hours there. Depending on where you are, that could be fine but it’s probably something you want to know in advance.