Brooke Smith Goodson, MSWLambda Kappa - University of Alabama/Huntsville
Housing Manager, Jonathan’s Path
Which of the Delta Zeta shared values resonates with you the most?Community
Tell us about a defining moment in your career so far – how did it impact your future and what did you learn from it?
Opening our first foster care placement site was such a highlight, and a departure from anything I’ve previously done in my career. Working with the state helped me develop leadership and administrative skills to complement my background in direct practice. I’m looking forward to using this new skill set to meet the need in my community and open more placement sites in the future.
What advice would you give Delta Zeta sisters pursuing leadership roles in your field?
Networking is as important in social work as it is in any other field. When people know who you are and what you do, the more likely they are to send opportunities your way. The community events, the conferences, the partnerships are the little windows of opportunity that lead to the right door opening down the road. Remember that getting to know others in your career network is just as important as marketing yourself. Leadership isn’t just about what you know and what you’ve accomplished — it’s being a good steward of what and whom you’re going to lead.
How has being a Delta Zeta influenced your professional journey or approach to leadership?
Being a Delta Zeta has provided me with so many formal and informal mentorship opportunities. I remember alumnae sisters helping me as a collegiate with drafting my first resume, building my LinkedIn profile, giving advice on what to wear to an interview and even referring me to my first job in college. What started as a part-time job in a daycare owned by a sister led to a career serving youth and families in need. The generosity of my sisters shaped my approach to leadership, and I now center my career around mentoring young adults who don’t have that built-in support system.
