Utilizing ABA to Balance a Full-Time Job, School and BCBA Fieldwork

Earning your board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) credential involves obtaining a graduate level degree, supervised fieldwork hours and studying for the BCBA exam. According to the behavior analyst certification board's handbook, trainees have 5 years from when they start accruing hours to complete the hours. Obtaining these hours while completing a two-year or more year graduate degree, having a job and studying for the exam can prove to be stressful. The aim of this article is to offer practical advice on managing the demands that come with earning the BCBA credential. Since our readers are in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA), we want to put a behavior analytic spin on these practical tips! 

Reflecting on my time as a trainee in graduate school while accruing hours- I’d say one of the most helpful decisions I made on my journey was finding full-time employment that allowed me to collect supervised fieldwork experience hours on the job providing applied behavior analytic therapy to children with autism. While I had to complete unrestricted activities after work hours- I was able to count a portion of my restricted hours monthly (back then they were called direct hours). However, even with a job that allowed me to collect hours- managing a full-time job and being a graduate student simultaneously was challenging. I wish that I would have used more of the tools and techniques that I was learning about in grad school and applied them to my own life. With proper planning and time management, it's definitely achievable to be a successful student, employee, and trainee. Here are some tips to help you balance all of your responsibilities effectively- with some behavior analytic techniques thrown in:

Create a Schedule- Add a visual! 

Plan out your week in advance, allocating specific time slots for work tasks, studying, classes, assignments, and other commitments. Use visual supports to help yourself stay focused! While a visual schedule with specific icons like we use in an ABA clinic probably isn’t what we are going for- think about color coding specific tasks or blocks of time to ensure you do not have any scheduling conflicts ahead of time. This can help you navigate your week and also feel more confident as you plan ahead for possible challenges. In the future as a BCBA, it will also be important to get into the habit of scheduling ahead of time to plan for client supervision and reauthorization deadlines.

Prioritize Tasks with the Premack Principle 

Identify your most important tasks and prioritize them. If something is especially difficult (a low-probability behavior) and you are having a hard time getting motivated- use your Premack Principle and put a high probability behavior contingent on its completion. 

Here is a completely random example: FIRST write your blog- THEN relax by the pool!

Utilize behavioral momentum to get started as well. If you complete a few easy tasks- such as returning emails or reading a quick article for school- it may be easier to find a good workflow and jump into larger assignments. Often when tackling several tasks at once- the hardest part is getting started.

Consider Ratio Strain and Setting Events

While juggling work, fieldwork hours and school, don't forget to take care of yourself. Remember when requirements increase greatly in your workload and less reinforcement is available- ratio strain can occur. Avoid this by including reinforcement into your routine. Make time for relaxation, exercise, and socializing- whatever it is that you want to work towards. 

Also, be real with yourself about setting events that can throw you off. Chances are you won’t complete your best work if you are experiencing internal or external discomfort, conflict in a relationship, illness, or lack of sleep. It is okay to take a break and wait until you can perform at your best. In some cases, such as when working with a client, it’s even the most ethical choice.

Communicate Effectively

While you are completing your fieldwork and degree, it can be helpful to make sure you are effectively communicating with your course instructors and supervisors. Let your supervisor know if you are entering an especially challenging course or feel like you need to take a few less hours in a given supervisory period. On a similar note, course instructors may be able to offer feedback on your progress and discuss available support and resource options provided through your program. For example, some colleges offer additional online tutorials or study groups to individuals who need it- but those individuals have to effectively communicate that need. As a BCBA, effective communication is probably one of the most important skills- and it’s not something that you can learn in graduate school! It is a skill that you should practice throughout your training to become a BCBA. 

Stay Flexible and Adapt

It’s important to try to stay flexible during your training to become a BCBA. Sometimes, the most well thought out plans can be derailed. For example, if you are planning on using a summer break in school to load up on hours with a client- then that client goes on vacation- don’t despair! Adapt to the changes and think about ways that you can increase your unrestricted hours for summer. As a BCBA, new priorities arise every day and plans can go out the window at the drop of a hat- think about your own roadblocks as practice on staying flexible and adapting once you’re certified. 

Grow Through What You Go Through

Finally, and probably the hardest thing to do- is to grow during your training. Remember that the hectic rush of graduate school, the late nights of working on hours for fieldwork, and the caffeine-fueled study sessions won’t last forever. It's a phase that will eventually give way to a more stable professional rhythm. Seek out classmates, co-workers who are in the field, or study buddies to motivate and encourage you. Find a supervisor who makes you look forward to getting feedback and challenges you.

Embrace the challenges, seek out support, and commit yourself to continual growth. Because when you do, you're not just changing yourself—you're changing the world, one behavior analytic technique at a time.

References 

Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2023). Board Certified Behavior Analyst® Handbook. bacb.com. https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/BCBAHandbook_231227-a.pdf