Today@Sam Article
Alumni Spotlight: Brittany Smith
May 14, 2024
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd
Working for the world’s fourth best company is not considered an easy feat by even the highest working professionals, let alone university students. However, Sam Houston State University alumna and native Houstonian Brittany Smith achieved exactly this, having become the global learning and development manager at Meta. She earned this position after it opened during the COVID-19 pandemic, thus allowing her to move back home from Austin.
“I lead a team of incredibly talented learning designers and consultants who develop learning and performance solutions for operations,” Smith said. “These solutions help build the knowledge and skills of fellow Metamates to empower them to do their jobs in the most efficient and effective way.”
Once a marketing student within the College of Business Administration (COBA), Smith continued her rise since graduating in 2010, acquiring positions at companies such as Emerus Holdings and Whole Foods Market within the training and development sector. However, she began her Meta journey not fully believing she belonged or had what it took to make an impact.
“My mindset was my biggest obstacle because growing up, I bought into the lie that only students from big name schools were smart or deserving enough to work for the best of the best,” Smith said. “Joining and thriving at Meta has given me a completely new paradigm and uncovered the truth that I belonged all along.”
To Smith, acquiring her current position has been her biggest professional achievement. Furthermore, she’s motivated by overcoming previously limiting beliefs and financially supporting numerous causes.
“Working for a company that’s an innovator and trailblazer means I’m constantly exposed to new and incredibly difficult problems to solve, which is instrumental in my growth and development,” Smith said. “The other motivation for continuing my work is that I know the importance of representation. Being a woman of color in a leadership position gives me a platform to inspire other young women of color to believe that they belong and deserve to take up space in any room. I love being able to show that anything is possible.”
In addition, thanks to her formidable prowess, COBA invited her to speak on April 4 as part of its “Hot Topics in Business” speaker series. Smith got to talk about her career and insights into global learning strategies. Aneika Simmons, professor of management, personally moderated the interview.
“It is a surreal experience to be in front of the classroom and have an audience that is interested in learning from my experience,” Smith said. “I remember walking Smith-Hutson halls and sitting in auditoriums wondering what I would become one day and doubting whether I would make it big.”
Smith calls the event a “full circle moment,” having had the chance to return to the same rooms she once studied in.
“Being on campus filled me with an immense amount of gratitude for my journey and for the people at SHSU who contributed to my story,” Smith said.
According to Smith, some of her most formative university experiences were engaging in activities alongside fellow Bearkats through student organizations. Such organizations included AKPsi, Orange Keys, Marketing Club and Fade-to-Black.
“Because Sam is a smaller school, there is tremendous opportunity to get involved and build community,” Smith said. “The experiences taught me the importance of fellowship and being part of a bigger story. I placed emphasis on building relationships and connections in my professional journey and it’s become a hallmark of my personal brand. I believe relational currency is the most valuable asset any professional can have and the foundation for that guiding principle was definitely established at Sam.”
Aside from her full-time work, Smith continues the career coaching she started providing over a decade ago. This occurs through her business focused on helping mature professionals make “high-purpose career pivots.”
“I aspire to continue to grow my business and empower even more people to step into their calling and pursue a career they love,” Smith said.
As her adventure continues, Smith assures Bearkats they have a place even in the most powerful corporations.
“Not only have I survived, but I’ve made a measurable impact on my team and team members,” Smith said. “Any Bearkat who aspires to work for some of the most influential companies in the world should know that they belong, too.”
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