Bronco Spotlight: Alonja Smith
Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice, 2021
Foster Care Case Manager
I oversee child welfare cases to ensure safety and well-being of the children. I make all efforts to reunify families and request services that are in the best interest of families.
What activities, resources, or people helped you prepare for your career?
Trio Student Success Program; Phi Chi Theta, Epsilon Gamma Chapter; Black Student Union. I not only learned about other people and their cultures, but I learned a lot about myself. I learned how to be more confident and trust in myself. My passion to help other increased and I was able to make an impact on the lives of other students at WMU.
What advice do you have for others pursuing a career similar to yours?
Be open to learning new things and ask a lot of questions. Child welfare is a field that can be hard and stressful, but if you have a clear head and willingness to learn and grow, you can succeed. Never put your experiences off on a family. When families are doing well, let them know; compliments can take a person far and make their day brighter.