This week we feature- Young Professional- Shaina M. Smith
In the last seven years, Smith has used her degree to become the Manager of the Project Support Services Unit (PSSU) within the Ministry of Finance while still finding time to stay involved in the community.
Shaina graduated from high school in the BVI in 1993 and went on to study on a scholarship from the government. Smith has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and received her master’s in industrial engineering and management systems from the University of Central Florida in 2002.
The Project Support Services Unit, charged with monitoring, advising, and establishing project management standards and planning for government projects, was a newly created department when Ms. Smith returned from university.
“Project management was just taking off as a field,” Smith said. “I thought about my career and where I could contribute and I decided to get into project management. I like looking at planning, mapping stuff out, working towards a goal, and actually seeing it come to fruition.”
Planning and tangible results were some of the major draws of project management for Smith. “I like to be in charge,” she said with a laugh. “I like the idea of deciding ‘this is what we’re going to do’ and just doing it.
While clear objectives, proper planning, and great accomplishments are Smith’s passion, she admits life can’t always be managed so closely.
“Do the right thing daily and trust God for right results,” Ms. Smith’s motto, helps her keep a realistic mind on the uncontrollable. “There’s only so much you can control. When it comes to life you know that that’s something that you have to turn over to Him. My part is to do the right thing and He’ll do the rest. We do try to control everything in our lives-- you have your schedules and plans and nothing happens like you plan it.”
Smith’s scholarship required her to return to the BVI after graduation to use her education to help bring new ideas to the local government; something she says makes her job worthwhile.
“I love serving my country. I’m really big on national pride and I think one of the biggest kicks I get out of my job is seeing a finished project and knowing that I was part of making that a reality. When I work on projects like the auditorium at the college or a building in Virgin Gorda or even just an office relocation, it’s good to know you impacted a person in that kind of way. That’s why I love my job,” Smith said.
In addition to her work with PSSU, Smith is the president of the Virgin Islands Civil Service Association.
Smith worked as the first president of the VI Power Boat Association, the organization that started the Festival Tortola Sloop Race. After two years as president, Smith turned the association over to her brother.
Smith is also actively involved in the New Life Baptist Church where she assists as a youth leader. She is also a co-host of the Ladies of the Round Table, a ZCCR-radio programme, where herself and other co-hosts discuss a variety of life issues bi-weekly.
“From the time that I came home, it’s kind of like I hit the ground running. There’s so much to do. As long as you have varied interests, there’s always something to do,” Smith said.
In the future, Smith hopes to continue to work in her community, and said she has been looking at organizations that empower people and help people advance themselves through counseling, support, and community activism. She might possibly even open a book store some day.
To the young professionals of the future, Shaina encourages students to keep their eyes open. “Always know opportunity is where you make it. There is a lot of opportunity; you just have to recognize it.”
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