Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Clinical Directors
Entry-level roles in Angela's field, for undergraduates, include "behavioral technician" work with young learners and tutoring, positions that don't necessitate advanced degrees but can create a path toward consultative roles; pursuing teaching credentials or advanced degrees in counseling or social work offers alternative avenues into similar, higher-level positions.
Entry-Level Positions, Career Paths, Behavioral Technician, Teaching Credential, Counseling/Social Work
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Angela Nelson
Executive Director of Clinical Services
Rethink First
UCLA
Master's in Counseling from Cal State Northridge and Doctorate in Education from USC
Psychology
Education, Technology
Operations and Project Management
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level positions in this field include behavioral technician, tutor, and programs supporting adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
2. These positions often don't require an advanced degree and can serve as a pathway to more senior roles.
3. Pursuing a teaching credential or degrees in counseling/social work are also valuable avenues for a career in clinical services and consulting.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
There are a couple of different avenues when you're doing consulting or any sort of therapy. There will be a couple of steps.
There isn't really an entry-level position to get right to where you might want to be if you want to do work similar to what I'm doing, but there's definitely a path. There's something called a behavioral technician where you can work with young learners to help them learn new skills. This is often done in a classroom, home, or clinic environment.
Tutoring is another option. You could also work in a program that supports adults in the workplace or home, perhaps adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. This particular role doesn't require an advanced degree.
Pursuing a teaching credential is also a very valued profession. Someone could hold that position and eventually move into more of a consultative role. So, there are definitely a couple of different roles.
Pursuing counseling or social work would be another avenue. These typically require an advanced degree and could lead to becoming a clinical director wanting to do more consultative work.