Side Hustles for BCBA

Behavioral Analysts, especially those with a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) certification, are in high demand. These professionals are instrumental in providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, which is essential for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other behavioral challenges. However, many BCBAs also seek to expand their professional horizons, explore new interests, and supplement their income with side hustles.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what a side hustle for a BCBA entails, the potential benefits of pursuing one, and different opportunities for behavior analysts looking to diversify their career paths. Whether you're interested in consulting, teaching, or developing products, there are numerous ways for BCBAs to enhance their professional life while continuing to impact the field positively.

Why Do BCBAs Pursue Side Hustles?

There are several reasons why BCBAs may decide to explore side hustles. Some are motivated by financial reasons, while others are driven by a desire to gain new skills, expand their professional network, or pursue a passion outside of their primary role. Below are a few reasons why a BCBA might seek a side hustle:

1. Financial Supplementation

Working as a BCBA can be rewarding, but the nature of the profession can sometimes require irregular hours or challenging caseloads. A side hustle offers an opportunity for additional income, whether it’s for covering extra expenses, saving for a major investment, or simply increasing financial security.

2. Skill Diversification

A side hustle allows BCBAs to develop new skills outside the typical scope of ABA therapy. Whether it’s content creation, business development, or becoming a mentor, side hustles can help BCBAs grow in ways that complement their primary role.

3. Pursuing Passion Projects

BCBAs may have interests that go beyond their work with clients, such as writing, public speaking, or starting a small business. A side hustle can offer the flexibility to explore these passions and create personal fulfillment.

4. Expanding Professional Networks

Starting a side project often requires interacting with new professionals, communities, and industries. This helps BCBAs expand their professional network, which can lead to more career opportunities and collaborations in the future.

5. Avoiding Burnout

The work of a BCBA can be emotionally and physically demanding. A side hustle allows for a change of pace and can serve as a creative outlet. By diversifying their activities, BCBAs can find balance and reduce burnout.

Types of Side Hustles for BCBAs

Whether you're interested in supplementing your income or growing your expertise, there are numerous side hustle opportunities for BCBAs. Below are some of the most popular and accessible options.

1. Consulting and Coaching

BCBAs with experience may consider offering consulting services to parents, schools, or organizations. Consulting allows behavior analysts to share their expertise in developing behavioral interventions, creating treatment plans, or providing ABA training for staff. Similarly, coaching involves working one-on-one with professionals or families to help them improve their skills in implementing ABA principles.

Consulting and coaching can be done on a flexible schedule, allowing BCBAs to offer their services outside their primary job while also increasing their professional visibility.

Benefits:

• Flexible hours

• High demand for specialized expertise

• Opportunity to build a personal brand

2. ABA Tutoring or Private Instruction

BCBAs with strong teaching abilities can offer tutoring or private instruction to students, whether they’re studying for the BCBA exam, learning more about ABA techniques, or seeking additional guidance with their current caseload. This type of side hustle involves helping others improve their skills and knowledge, which can be extremely rewarding.

Benefits:

• High demand for exam preparation

• Direct impact on the professional development of others

• Opportunity for in-person or online teaching

3. Writing and Content Creation

Many BCBAs enjoy writing and sharing their knowledge through blog posts, articles, or even books. Writing is a great way to build credibility in the ABA field and share valuable insights on topics like ABA therapy, autism, behavior management strategies, and more.

In addition to written content, BCBAs can create online courses, educational videos, or podcasts to reach a broader audience. Creating content not only offers passive income opportunities but also allows BCBAs to be recognized as thought leaders in the field.

Benefits:

• Passive income potential

• Flexibility in writing topics

• Expands influence in the field

4. Developing Products or Tools for ABA

BCBAs can create and sell products designed to support ABA therapy, such as visual aids, data collection sheets, behavior charts, or educational resources. Products like these can be sold online through platforms like Etsy, Teachers Pay Teachers, or even independently via personal websites.

This side hustle allows BCBAs to combine their creativity and knowledge of ABA to develop useful tools for parents, teachers, and other behavior analysts.

Benefits:

• Low startup costs

• Passive income from product sales

• Opportunity to fill gaps in available resources

5. Public Speaking and Workshops

BCBAs with excellent communication skills may enjoy public speaking and offering workshops or training sessions for various organizations. These could be targeted to parents, teachers, or other professionals in the field of special education, where they can educate about ABA principles and strategies.

Workshops and public speaking engagements can be done in person or virtually, depending on availability and the nature of the event.

Benefits:

• Builds professional reputation

• Opportunities for networking

• High earning potential

6. Virtual Assistant for ABA Clinics or Professionals

A more administrative side hustle involves becoming a virtual assistant for ABA clinics or other professionals in the autism and behavioral health fields. BCBAs can assist with scheduling, client management, data entry, and other tasks, which allows them to work remotely and on their own time.

This side hustle is ideal for BCBAs who want to apply their organizational skills and gain experience in clinic management.

Benefits:

• Remote work opportunities

• Flexible hours

• Gain new skills outside of direct therapy

How to Manage a Side Hustle as a BCBA

While a side hustle can be an exciting opportunity, it’s important to maintain a balance between work, personal life, and your primary BCBA responsibilities. Here are some tips for managing a side hustle effectively:

1. Set Boundaries

Establish clear boundaries between your full-time BCBA job and your side hustle. Determine when you’ll work on your side hustle and when you'll focus on your primary role. This will help you avoid burnout and maintain work-life balance.

2. Prioritize Tasks

With limited time available, prioritize tasks that will bring the most value. Focus on activities that align with your interests and expertise, and be realistic about what you can accomplish in a given timeframe.

3. Track Your Progress

Keep track of both your professional and side hustle goals. This will help you stay motivated and ensure you're meeting your objectives, whether that’s building a client base, creating products, or expanding your network.

4. Stay Organized

Managing a side hustle requires excellent organizational skills. Keep track of client appointments, deadlines, and commitments to ensure you're staying on top of everything without sacrificing your primary responsibilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a side hustle offers BCBAs the opportunity to diversify their income, enhance their skill set, and pursue their passions outside of their main profession. Whether you're interested in consulting, teaching, content creation, or product development, there are many ways to use your expertise as a BCBA to make a positive impact in the field and beyond.

At Blossom ABA, we understand the importance of continuous growth and professional development. If you're a BCBA interested in expanding your opportunities, we encourage you to explore side hustles that align with your skills and passions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some examples of side hustles for BCBAs?

Side hustles for BCBAs include consulting, private tutoring, writing or content creation, developing ABA products, public speaking, and becoming a virtual assistant for ABA professionals.

2. How much time should I dedicate to a side hustle as a BCBA?

The time you dedicate to your side hustle depends on your schedule and goals. Start small, and as your side hustle grows, adjust your hours accordingly while ensuring that your full-time job responsibilities are met.

3. Can a side hustle interfere with my BCBA responsibilities?

It's important to set boundaries and stay organized to ensure your side hustle does not interfere with your primary responsibilities as a BCBA. Proper time management is key to balancing both.