A Travel BCBA’s Favorite Stops, Stories and Surprises

Sydney Esch Shares the Personal Side of Life in a Traveling Role

When working as a travel BCBA, every assignment comes with a new opportunity to support children and families. But outside the therapy center, each placement can also bring new adventures, traditions and experiences.

Since joining Hopebridge as a travel BCBA, Sydney Esch has completed placements in Arizona, Georgia, Oklahoma and Indiana (and back to Oklahoma again!). Along the way, she’s discovered favorite restaurants, explored new parts of the country and created traditions that make every move feel a little more like home.

While the mission of the role is always the priority, Sydney says the experiences beyond work have become an unexpected bonus.

A BCBA Job That Blends Purpose and Possibility

Sydney’s journey reflects what makes the travel BCBA role unique: the ability to make a meaningful impact in multiple communities while continuously evolving as a clinician.

And while the clinical work is the priority, the personal experiences along the way add another layer to the journey.

We had the chance to do a quick Q&A with Sydney about some of her favorite places and moments:

Favorite “only-in-this-role” experience?
“Going to the Women’s College World Series—twice. We’re big college softball fans, and being in Oklahoma, which is basically the capital for it, made that possible.”

Go-to spots for a great meal?
“We love Black Walnut in Oklahoma City because it’s such a cool concept. And in Indianapolis, the Garage Food Hall was our go-to for visitors because there are so many options all in one place.”

What’s always playing on travel days?
“Audiobooks. My husband and I usually do a ‘buddy read’ while we’re driving so we can talk about it along the way—I love historical fiction and Everest survival books. It’s so nice that audiobooks have become so much more accessible in the last several years with the libraries. We always sign up for the public library wherever we go, so our list of options keeps getting longer!”

Favorite placement so far?
“Oklahoma is at the top of the list, not only because of college softball, but we’ve fallen in love with the people here. The climate in Arizona is also 100% different than what we were used to in Michigan, so that was really fun.”

More Than a Change of Scenery

For Sydney, the travel BCBA role has provided opportunities to experience different communities while helping children access the care they need. Whether she’s cheering at a softball game or loading up another audiobook for the next drive, each placement brings new perspectives and connections.

It’s a reminder that wile the work itself is incredibly meaningful, the journey can be rewarding in unexpected ways, too.

Where Else Can the Travel BCBA Role Take You?

Read more about what it’s like to work as a travel BCBA from other clinicians.

READ THEIR STORIES

*Informed consent was obtained from the participants in this article. This information should not be captured and reused without express permission from Hopebridge, LLC. Testimonials are solicited as part of an open casting call process for testimonials from former client caregivers. Hopebridge does not permit clinical employees to solicit or use testimonials about therapeutic services received from current clients (Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts 5.07-5.08; BACB, 2020). Hopebridge does not provide any incentives, compensation, or renumeration for testimonials provided by a former client or client caregiver.