(LIVE Rejected 2025 – Dec 19 at 130pm EST) The ABA Career Journey: From Technician to Clinical Director

How do you move from an entry-level role in applied behavior analysis to a leadership position that influences teams and services? In this interactive Q&A session, Jerry Idicula, BCBA and Area Clinical Director at Centria, shares his journey from working as a behavior technician in 2015 to overseeing and training other BCBAs today. Jerry will answer questions from Dr. Megan and other colleagues about the lessons he’s learned, the mentorship that shaped his path, and the strategies that helped him succeed. Participants will walk away with practical guidance on navigating early career challenges, finding strong training opportunities, and translating learning into effective clinical practice.

This session is designed for those at the start of their ABA career, current RBTs, early-career BCBAs, and anyone looking to understand how to build a meaningful and sustainable path in the field.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to Identify key strategies for seeking quality training and mentorship in ABA practice.
• Participants will be able to Describe common “dos and don’ts” for early career professionals transitioning from RBT to BCBA.
• Participants will be able to Explain how mentorship and on-the-job learning can shape leadership development in ABA.
• Participants will be able to Apply practical tips for bringing new learning into everyday clinical work.
• Participants will be able to Reflect on their own career path and identify steps they can take toward growth and advancement.

Jerry Idicula is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) serving as the Area Clinical Director of Services for Centria in Metro Detroit. His career in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) began in 2015 as a behavior technician, and since then, he has gained extensive experience in various capacities serving communities across Michigan.

Jerry earned his Master of Education in Educational Psychology from Wayne State University in 2018 and has been a BCBA since 2019. He is passionate about leadership development, consulting on complex clinical cases, and effectively disseminating the science of behavior analysis to empower practitioners and families.