09/25/2025
It was 2019.
I had just passed the BCBA exam—proud, hopeful, and eager to make a difference. Interviews were lined up. My heart raced as I walked into one in particular, nervous but confident.
Then came the question: “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
My answer?
“Ideally, I’d love to help build a BCBA residency-style program—something that supports the next generation of clinicians. I’ve seen how many of my peers struggle to find high-quality supervision. I’d also love to spearhead a group parent training initiative—designing curriculum, building out schedules, and helping families be more involved in their children’s treatment.”
Their response?
“Honestly, Cierra… we don’t really do things like that here. You’re a little too ambitious.”
“Too ambitious” has followed me ever since.
But let me be clear: I never questioned if I should slow down. I never wondered if I was expecting too much. I kept pushing. It’s why my résumé might look like a red flag to some. It’s why my profile lists several companies. Because I wasn’t willing to settle for less than.
To leaders in the ABA field: Don’t be afraid of the ones who dream bigger than the job description. Those are the people who push our field forward. Who ask better questions. Who see what's possible—even when the path isn't clear yet.
Ambition isn’t a problem. It’s an opportunity to do more for our field.
