BCBA Turned UX Researcher! How ABA is Transferrable to Tech

[@h3artands0uLL]

Omg!! You are my saving grace!! I’ve been looking and looking into how on earth I can pivot into tech as a BCBA and here you are! Other vids I’ve seen are psych researchers pivoting and it’s slightly different so I wanted to hear directly from one of “us” and here you are! Thank you for uploading this! Gave me so much hope! I am so glad to hear about your major increase in job satisfaction, work life balance, less stress, and increase in salary!! All things I want!! It’s so hard to get in ABA esp when companies are own my private equities. Im so happy you shared this, it gave me hope. One question… what can you tell us about the teams you work with? I was looking into project management before UX research or design and that field seemed appealing too. Is their job and lifestyle like yours with all the benefits you listed? Would it be easier to pivot into PM after being in UX or do you think it’s best to go straight into it? Thanks again!!!

[@behavioraltea375]

I definitely think PM's lives are a LOT more stressful than UXR. I was also interested in PMs, but now that I've started working with both product and project managers, I really appreciate the fact I went towards UXR. Its a different skill set for sure. However, I do know that plenty of UX designers have moved into the PM world after :)

[@Mossidesign]

I’m currently in my last semester of my BCBA Program and am having second thoughts about the field. It’s so great that you have found a niche where our skills fit the need! Would you consider doing work vlogs so we could see what a typical day looks like?

[@kourtneyrincon8982]

Hey I created ABA Switch to help BCBAs/BCaBAs/RBTs make the switch into tech! I'd love to chat on a webinar and help folks understand the power of our skills and that we can disseminate the science and have great career options outside of autism!

[@danielacarlock6982]

This sounds great! Where can I find more info about ABA switch? I would love to chat with you if possible! I finished my master’s and am almost done with supervision. Next step is the exam. I’ve been in the field 4 years and with burnout am really trying to see what options I have in a diff field

[@behavioraltea375]

Yes ! I would love to chat! ABA switch sounds awesome! I wish I had that!

[@Rachel-vw3bi]

Hi, I would be interested in looking at the ABA switch or any webinars!

[@moni6669]

Hi! I’m interested in learning about ABA switch

[@merlissaagustin1765]

Omg congratulations! This is such exciting news to hear from you! I have to be honest I got so excited to watch this video because I ultimately would want to switch careers in the near future. I can’t quite let go of being a behavior analyst, but it’s reassuring to know that there is growth for us in other areas.

[@behavioraltea375]

Yes!!! Me too. I wasn't ready for a long time and i was so scared that I had pigeon holed myself, but there are options out there!! :D Good luck to you!

[@ericaj6092]

Congratulations! Im glad to hear that you plan to maintain your BCBA certification! Thank you for your transparency.

[@behavioraltea375]

Thanks so much! I love ABA and will always use it's principals!

[@aldayn000]

Thank you so much for sharing this experience! Glad to know someone has done it. I've been thinking of this field before I started graduate school. Now, I recently got my master's degree in Psych and been thinking about continuing earning my BCBA supervision hours or switching industries to use my knowledge and experience in other areas. Not a big fan of BACB anymore since they decided to let go of other countries. Hoping I can get some UX experience somewhere. :)

[@Diego-hd8nv]

What do you mean let go of other countries?

[@h3artands0uLL]

I went to see you other videos in case my question was already answered and found that the rest is ABA lol which is somewhat triggering for me rn so I won’t click. But I do hope you continue this channel and keep us posted on your life in this new job! Super happy for you!

[@behavioraltea375]

any specific questions that i can answer in another video?

[@neanglinda]

Congratulations! I'm in the same boat with transitioning to UXR from ABA as well. If you have time, I'd love to connect and learn more about your journey with a coffee chat.

[@behavioraltea375]

yes! find me on linkedin!

[@self_carelibra2373]

Hi . I am currently I ABA as a therapist and interested in breaking into tech. I would love to connect and get more insights on the steps to take.

[@moni6669]

Hi! I’m trying to switch from ABA to UX also. So glad I found your video. Can we connect?

[@behavioraltea375]

Yes lets connect! Whats your linkedin?

[@lilirisaraujo]

Excellent video! How do you see qualitative interviews with an exploratory approach? I can relate it to the knowledge of functional behavior analysis in experimental cases, like AB testing, usability test tabulation, and issues involving generalization. But what about asking questions to understand user behavior in a remote interview with only one contact? How can we comprehend the function of their behavior in this situation? Thanks! 😍

[@behavioraltea375]

The beauty with interviews is you should be conducting it with multiple people. Once youve talked to a few participants you start picking up on some functions/motivations/reinforcements :) And then we generalize! UXR is a little bit more overarching as opposed to ABA which is incredibly specialized. Its best to do generalizations in this field rather than being stuck with the granular information (this also has to deal with understanding your stakeholders motivations and needs, and how best to relate your findings to them in the most impactful way possible). Hopefully this answers your question!

[@mollysheehan4240]

Hello! I’ve been in the ABA field for about 10 years now (mainly as a BT/RBT, I have been a BCBA since last August) and I need a change in my life (compassion fatigue is real). Can we connect?

[@nadinewilliams7024]

Hi. I have questions too. I just passed my bcba but after so many years as RBT I would like to try something new. Can we connect

[@behavioraltea375]

Yes! lets connect!

[@SethNordgren]

I have my BCBA-D and I’m dying to get into tech. Please help me!!! lol

[@Diego-hd8nv]

I'm looking at grad programs, and one is a masters in clinical psych that enables you to take the extra courses to become a BCBA. I also am super interested in UX research. It seems like your path is ideal in that it allowed you to try both out. If you could go back, would you have just done a masters in UX/UI (given that you love it so much) or kept your same route given its versatility compared to a degree in UX?

[@behavioraltea375]

I wouldn't have changed anything in my past ! I love being a BCBA and still continue my certification. I think the knowledge I've gained has set me up for success now :)

[@meretashamalla9874]

Hi there! Which specific courses did you enrol in at Avocademy?

[@behavioraltea375]

the general UX/UI Foundations course :)

[@anisleyherrera817]

Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉, im planning to enroll in the same school , coming out from ABA im just an RBT , any suggestions you can give me ? I will really appreciate it

[@brittmomo441]

a school for your masters or for UX??

[@anisleyherrera817]

@@brittmomo441 for the UX

[@brittmomo441]

@@anisleyherrera817 I didn't go to school but I went to Avocademy bootcamp!