From Psychology Major to Purposeful Career: How ABA Opened Doors for a Classroom Full of Students (and Their Moms!)

Apr 18 / Tara Zeller, MS, BCBA, IBA
You know that moment in a classroom when something just clicks? That happened recently when I presented to a group of undergraduate psychology
students.

Most of them were unsure of where their degree might take them. But when they learned that ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is not only part of psychology—but also a career path they could start right now—the energy shifted. They started seeing possibility. Some even started thinking about how their own family members could get involved.

I want to share their feedback with you, not just because it was encouraging—but because it reveals a hidden opportunity for psychology students
everywhere.
What Surprised and Inspired Them Most

After the class, the professor shared a summary of student feedback that highlighted exactly what stood out:

1. “ABA Is Part of Psychology?”
Yes! ABA is Division 25 of the American Psychological Association. For students studying behavior, neuroscience, or therapy, this is a natural next step that aligns perfectly with their academic background. Many had never heard this before, and it instantly helped them see where they might belong in the field.

2. “I Can Start at 18? Even My Mom Wants In.”
Students were surprised to learn that becoming a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) only requires a high school diploma, a 40-hour course, a Competency Assessment and a background check.

This simplicity struck a chord—not just for them, but for family members looking for meaningful work, too. Especially those students who have autistic siblings.

3. “ABA Is More Than Autism?”
Absolutely. In class, I shared real examples of ABA applied to:
- Feeding disorders
- Alzheimer’s care
- Animal training
- Behavior change in the justice system and more

What Really Landed: My Story, Their Questions
The most memorable moment? Sharing how I left a toxic system after witnessing Medicaid fraud—and started my own business to do better. That resonated. Students told me they appreciated the honesty, the ethics, and the reminder that you can build something different. Several students were especially moved by the idea that: 
- You don’t have to know everything now.
- It’s okay to explore.
- The path isn’t always linear—but it can still lead to purpose.

What They Wanted More Of
This feedback also told me what’s next—for them, and for anyone curious about ABA: 
- What does an RBT actually do each day?
- What are other real-world applications of ABA? - What does a career path in ABA actually look like?
(I’ll be writing more on those topics in the coming weeks.)

Your Next Step: Explore a Career in ABA
If you’re studying psychology—or you know someone who is—consider this your invitation. 
- Take the Empowered RBT™ course: Our guided path gets you certified and connected to employers. Click here for Self-paced option and Click here for instructor-led option

- Book a Clarity Call: Let’s talk about whether ABA is a good fit for your goals.
- Join the Waitlist for our next live cohort and be the first to hear when enrollment opens.  [click here to Join the Waitlist]

An Open Door of Possibilities
Sometimes all it takes is one presentation to unlock a new possibility. For these students, it was discovering that ABA is psychology—and that there’s a career path already waiting for them. I’m grateful to have been the person to open that door.

Until next time,
Keep Leading with Love and Compassion
~Tara