In the latest Q&A spotlight in a series highlighting Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) community members and their work, meet Dejah Smith. She is a senior administrative assistant and a member of the clinical support team at YCSC. She has been at Yale for five years, having initially served as a clinical scheduler in the Department of Neurology. She juggles full-time work with motherhood while also working toward a bachelor's degree at Albertus Magnus College.
Q+A
Yale Child Study Center Community Spotlight: Meet Dejah Smith
What led you to your current career?
My career path was shaped by my passion for helping others and making a positive impact on people’s lives. With a strong background in customer service and patient care, I found fulfillment in supporting individuals and families during important moments in their lives. That experience sparked my interest in psychology and inspired me to pursue a role where I can support clinicians in helping families within the community.
What is a work-related accomplishment that made you feel proud?
A work-related accomplishment that made me feel proud was being able to implement new systems that helped keep our assessment clinic running smoothly and ensured that our clinicians were able to provide the best possible care to the families we serve.
How would you describe the mission of your work?
I would describe the mission of my work as helping families access the services and support their children's needs. I do this by being there to guide and support families throughout the entire process, while also supporting our clinicians by ensuring they have the information and resources needed to provide the best possible care for our families.
What do you value most about your job/work?
I value my colleagues and being part of an amazing and supportive team. I also value the opportunity to make a positive difference for families and put a smile on their faces during the process.
What successes or challenges have you faced during your career that you would like to share?
I have experienced many successes throughout my career, one of the most meaningful being the opportunity to grow within my role and earn a promotion through my hard work and dedication.
What is an accomplishment you are proud of outside of work?
An accomplishment outside of work that I am especially proud of is actively pursuing my degree while working full-time and being a mom, all while remaining at the top of my class. This experience has strengthened my time management, dedication, and perseverance.
What energizes you outside of work?
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my kids and loved ones, trying new restaurants, working out, and attending yoga classes.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Compassionate, Resilient, Inspiring
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
Any warm island.
What would you like to share about yourself or your work that might surprise your colleagues?
Something that might surprise my colleagues is how much I enjoy staying busy outside of work. Between being a mom, staying active, and trying new experiences, I’ve learned to stay very organized and intentional with my time, which carries over into how I work.
Article outro
This spotlight series is a spin-off of a similar effort launched in 2023 to feature integrated business operations (IBO) and administration staff at YCSC and in the Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics. All in the YCSC community are welcome (and encouraged) to nominate colleagues for this spotlight series. Self-nominations are also welcome.