Please tell us about your academic journey at SFU Linguistics.

When I first started at SFU, I was enrolled in the Criminology program, with the goal of pursuing law school once I graduated. My first couple of years at SFU were rough. I struggled with the transition from high school and absolutely disliked what I was studying. 

As I was approaching my third year, I decided to make a change. It was not an easy decision, as becoming a lawyer was my “dream” since I was young. I decided to take a Linguistics course, not knowing exactly what it was about, and I really enjoyed it. 

For the first time in my academic journey at SFU, I was finally interested in something. From that moment, I decided to pursue speech therapy. Because I switched in my third year, I was worried about starting over, but looking back I am so glad I changed my path. I made amazing friends and connected with some great professors who always pushed me and reminded me to never give up.

How did you find your vocation of applied behavior analysis? 

I have always loved working with children. I got a job at Kumon and started working with children who had learning and developmental disabilities, which is what sparked my interest in special education. Later, I started working as an SLPA/Behavior Interventionist at a children’s therapy clinic which solidified my path to pursuing special education. 

Working with children who have learning/developmental disabilities has taught me a lot about myself. I get to support and provide children with the tools to thrive in a world that does not always understand and accommodate their needs. I always knew I wanted to contribute to the community in a positive manner, and this field allows me to do so.

What inspired you to apply to an online grad program? 

I was originally pursuing speech therapy. However, I started doing more work as a Behavior Interventionist at a different children’s speech center and found that I actually started to enjoy it more. The field of ABA covers many areas including communication and social skills. However, there are so many different areas such as play skills, emotional regulation, reducing challenging behaviors and many more. 

What I enjoy most is figuring out why a child is engaging in certain behaviors and how to manage/replace them with healthier behavioral responses.

One of the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst’s (BCBA) I was working for told me about the Arizona State program, as she had also completed it and loved it. A couple other BCBAs I spoke to also recommended the program to me. After completing research and speaking to academic advisors from Arizona State, the program seemed like a great fit for me as it allowed me to continue working in the field, while pursuing a graduate degree. 

Please tell us about the advantages and challenges of taking grad school online. 

The online courses allow me to create my own schedule. This has been great as I have been able to work in the field at the same time, as well as study and complete assignments. 

I get the opportunity to pursue a graduate degree while maintaining a balanced lifestyle, which I value and believe is extremely important as a student. Each course also has team meetings, which allow students to connect with others in the program to support our learning and create a community, as some online courses can feel isolating without peer interaction. 

The professors and academic advising team at ASU are amazing. They really support your academic journey and want to see you succeed.

Once you become a practicing Behavior Analyst, is there a focus within the discipline that you intend to pursue? 

As a future Behavior Analyst, there are many disciplines to choose from. At ASU, there are many special education specialization minors and certificates you can complete in addition to your Masters. 

My goal is to also pursue a graduate certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Once I finish, I intend to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam and work with children who have Autism, as well as other learning/developmental disabilities. 

I haven’t decided exactly which setting I want to work in as a future Behavior Analyst, but I hope to either work in a clinic or school to create behavior plans to better support children and their families. 

I am also very interested in the mental health discipline of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which focuses on areas such as anxiety-related behaviors.

What drives you as a person?  

I’m driven to continuously grow and further my knowledge and skills in order to make a positive change in the community. ABA allows me to positively impact the lives of children with learning/developmental disabilities and their families. Watching them become confident and independent is one of the best parts of the field and I am so grateful to be a part of that. 

No matter the obstacles that I have faced, I continue to grow, learn, and improve which has always been important to me. 

It is never too late to change your career and pursue a path that is meaningful to you. I am very happy with my decision and excited to see what the future will bring as a Behavior Analyst.