Emma Dodson

I attribute my success to the work ethic that I've seen in my community and those before me. My parents both are successful in their fields, and they both went on to higher education, so I always felt that drive to do and achieve more. I graduated from high school and began college at 17, completed my Bachelor's in 3 years, and now have my Master's degree at age 22. I strive to never let things like age or experience level hold me back, because coming in with fresh energy and new ideas is what brings growth to our field.

The career advice that's sticking with me in my season right now is to go towards every open door. I think sometimes we have a lot of options set in front of us, and it can feel overwhelming to not know what the right choice is or to be afraid to make the wrong step in your career. But I think it's such a blessing to have those different opportunities, and if you're in that position to make a choice like that, fight for each one. I think you're going to end up in the right place, and all the other doors that you're not meant to go through will be closed. I would encourage people not to be afraid to make a mistake and give every opportunity a try, because the last thing you want is to move on from something and then have regrets that you never tried that one thing that you could have.

To young women first stepping into the field, I would encourage them that their ideas, concerns, and preferences matter! The field tends to train us as behavior analysts to work in only clinical settings and to work with a specific demographic only. But don't be afraid to try something new, even if it's never been done before. Behavior analysis is a science and a discipline that is used in so many areas, including work with developmental disabilities, school systems, businesses, health and fitness, and more. Behavior analysis can be demanding, but it is one of the most rewarding paths to go down.

A lot of times it feels like the challenges outweigh the opportunities; I have to be an advocate every day. I'm fighting for the rights, equality, and value for these kids that, by most people, are seen as problematic or not worth putting the time into. So that's a big part of my job, just showing that care and putting in that intentional effort with those clients and students, while at the same time turning around and speaking to other professionals, teachers, and parents, and reminding them of the worth that these kids have. Working with really tough behaviors can be hard; it can be physical, and it's not every day that you want to come to work and do these hard things. But it's 100% rewarding in the end. I love working within the school setting because there are a ton of opportunities for collaboration. I get to work with a lot of different disciplines; there's a lot of flexibility in that, and working on a multidisciplinary team, I'm able to really fight for what's best for the student because we can all share our perspectives and come together.

My faith is the number one value for me. I'm a Christian, and every day I strive to, in my workplace and in my personal life, just be a light for other people. Hopefully, when they see my work ethic and my demeanor, they're seeing that supernatural patience and love and care that is really hard to do by your own strength. It's not about my own strength; it's God.