Why Becoming an RBT Was the Best Career Decision I Didn't Plan ⭐
Starting over in a new country isn't easy, but sometimes it leads you somewhere you never expected. This is why I believe it's a profession worth considering, especially for those building a new life in the U.S.
Beatriz Cabral de Vasconcellos Vinhas
7/13/2026
Why Becoming an RBT Was the Best Career Decision I Didn't Plan ⭐
If you had told me a few years ago that I'd move to the United States and start over professionally, I probably wouldn't have believed you.
But life has a funny way of changing our plans.
I'm originally from Brazil, where I worked as an Occupational Therapist with children and adolescents. I also completed a postgraduate residency in Mental Health, an intensive, multidisciplinary training program that's common in Brazil but doesn't have a direct equivalent in the U.S.
Then I moved to America.
Like many immigrants, I quickly realized that starting over isn't just about learning a new language or finding a place to live. It's about rebuilding your career.
That's when I ran into my first big obstacle. My Occupational Therapy degree from Brazil wasn't enough for me to practice in the U.S. To become licensed, I would likely have to enroll in an entry-level Occupational Therapy master's program, before getting the License. As someone who had just moved to a new country and needed to start working, that simply wasn't a realistic option. The programs are expensive, competitive, and usually require full-time or hybrid study. So I started looking for other paths.
That's when I discovered Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
My first opportunity
At the time, I had been living in the U.S. for only three months.
My English was... let's say, functional. I could communicate, but I definitely wasn't confident.
Still, I had years of experience working with autistic children and children with disabilities in Brazil, so I decided to apply anyway.
I applied for positions as an RBT, Behavior Support Specialist, and school paraprofessional.
To my surprise, I was hired as a Classroom Support Specialist in a preschool autism program.
Honestly?
It turned out to be one of the best things that could have happened to me.
Why I recommend this field
1. It's welcoming to people from different backgrounds.
One of the things that surprised me most was how supportive everyone was.
I was learning a new language, adapting to a different work culture, and constantly asking questions. Instead of making me feel like I didn't belong, my coworkers helped me grow.
Of course, every workplace is different, but I've found Special Education and ABA to be fields where people genuinely want to help each other succeed.
Maybe that's because we spend our days teaching, supporting, and celebrating progress. That mindset often extends to our colleagues as well.
2. There are real opportunities to grow.
One of the things I appreciate most about this field is that there isn't just one career path.
Many people start as paraprofessionals or RBTs and later become teachers, BCBAs, social workers, or pursue other related professions. Many employers also invest in their staff by offering training, continuing education, certification support, and even tuition assistance.
That was exactly my experience.
I started as a Classroom Support Specialist, but before long I became interested in becoming a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). Part of that decision was practical, many of my daily responsibilities already overlapped with the work of an RBT, and I wanted more tools and a stronger understanding of behavioral intervention.
Becoming an RBT also meant completing the required training and earning a credential through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). For me, that certification represented much more than three letters after my name. It was my first professional credential issued by a respected U.S. certifying organization, and it gave me confidence that I was building a career here, not just finding a job.
Even more importantly, it became the first step toward a new dream: becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). I didn't know it at the time, but working in ABA would completely change the direction of my career. I'll share more about that journey in another post.
Your first job doesn't have to be your last. Sometimes, it's simply the first step toward opportunities you never imagined.
3. The pay and benefits are better than many people expect.
School paraprofessionals typically start around $16–18/hour, depending on the district and state.
RBTs and Behavior Support Specialists often start around $20/hour, with experienced professionals earning $30/hour in some regions.
More importantly, many full-time positions include benefits like:
Health insurance;
Dental and vision insurance;
Retirement plans (401(k));
Paid training;
Tuition reimbursement;
Performance raises;
Bonuses.
During just a year and a half in my first job, I received two raises based on my performance. Coming from Brazil, that was something I wasn't used to.
4. The work itself is meaningful.
This is probably the biggest reason. Working with children means working with progress. Sometimes it's a child's first spoken word. Sometimes it's learning to ask for help. Sometimes it's putting on their own shoes.
They're often small victories. But to the child and their family, they can be life changing.
And if you work with toddlers... You'll also spend your days surrounded by tiny backpacks, tiny shoes, spontaneous hugs, contagious laughter, and yes, the occasional tantrum.
The challenging moments are real.
But so are the joyful ones.
Final thoughts
If you're an immigrant looking for a fresh start... If you're exploring careers in education or autism services... Or if you're simply looking for meaningful work with room to grow... Becoming an RBT or working in Special Education might be worth considering.
It certainly changed my life.
And looking back, starting over wasn't the setback I thought it would be. It became the beginning of a completely new chapter.