As the new year begins, we’ve noticed a common theme in conversations with BCBAs across our field. It usually sounds something like this:
“I love the work… but I’m tired.”
As a Talent Acquisition team, we talk to candidates every day - those actively looking and those just testing the waters. As the new year approaches, many of you are reflecting on what you want next: better support, realistic caseloads, growth opportunities, or simply a workplace where you feel valued.
It’s Okay to Want More This Year.
BCBAs enter this field to make a difference. But passion alone isn’t enough to sustain you. The new year is often when professionals give themselves permission to ask:
- Do I feel supported by my leadership team?
- Is my caseload manageable?
- Am I growing, or just getting through the week?
- Do I feel valued as a clinician, not just a number?
Wanting better doesn’t mean you’re giving up on ABA, it means you’re committed to staying in it long term.
What Candidates Are Telling Us They Need
As we head into the new year, we’re hearing consistent feedback from BCBAs across the country:
- Clear expectations and transparency around schedules, caseloads, and productivity
- Accessible supervision and mentorship, especially for newer clinicians
- Work-life balance that actually exists, not just in job descriptions
- Respect for clinical judgment and collaboration, not micromanagement
These aren’t “nice-to-haves.” They’re essential to doing ethical, effective ABA.
How ABA Hiring Is Changing (and Should Change)
From a hiring perspective, the new year is pushing us to do better. That means slowing down the process, listening more, and being honest. It means having real conversations during interviews about:
- What support looks like day-to-day
- How leadership shows up when things get hard
- What growth paths actually exist—not just what’s promised
Hiring should feel like a two-way decision, not a sales pitch.
If You’re Considering a Change This Year
You don’t need to have everything figured out right now. For many BCBAs, the new year simply opens the door to curiosity about what else might be possible.
If you’re exploring opportunities, our advice is this: Ask the questions you didn’t ask before. Advocate for yourself. Pay attention to how you’re treated during the hiring process, because that’s often a preview of what’s to come. Read the reviews, and do your own research before signing an offer letter.
A Final Thought for the New Year
ABA needs you, and the kids need you. Your skills, your compassion, your clinical voice. The right role should support all of that, not drain it.
As we move into the new year, our goal is simple: to connect BCBAs and RBTs with environments where they can do meaningful work and feel supported doing it.
Here’s to a year where your work feels sustainable, valued, and aligned with why you chose ABA in the first place. Wishing you all a very happy holiday season and a prosperous year ahead!