Alumni Q&A: Cate Johnston (’12)

“I never heard of macro social work before looking into graduate school,” Cate Johnston (’12) said. Johnston worked in nonprofit management before attending graduate school and was interested in both social work and an MBA in nonprofit management. “The School of Social Work’s program was the perfect intersection of the two fields I’m interested in,” she told the SSW Reporter. Along with her MSW, Johnston completed the Human Service Management Certificate Program. She joined the BUSSW Alumni Association in August 2012.

“I initially got involved in the Alumni Association through Ken (Schulman, Associate Dean for Enrollment Services & External Relations)—he’s great at recruiting people,” Johnston said. She sat on the Alumni Association for a year and joined the Steering Committee in 2013 where she became further involved in admissions and financial aid. Johnston currently also sits on the Macro Subcommittee, a position especially important to her.

“The macro program is what drew me to BUSSW and what has shaped my early career,” Johnston said. “I appreciate having a voice in that part of the School’s education.”

Johnston’s participation on the Alumni Association Board is not only beneficial for current and future students and alumni, it has helped her develop professionally. “It’s a great opportunity to network and meet other alumni,” Johnston explained. “I’ve also learned a lot of skills as an active member, including collaboration and communication.”  These skills assist Johnston in her daily career.

When not working on the Alumni Association, Johnston is the Senior Regional Survey Manager for Raising a Reader, an early literacy and family engagement program for young children. Here, she oversees programming in the Greater Boston Area. “My role is a beautiful blend of every macro skill that exists,” Johnston said. “A big reason I got promoted so quickly was the managerial skills I learned at BUSSW.”

In her position, Johnston’s responsibilities transcend a single role. She writes budgets, participates in community organizing, runs educational groups, supervises and trains staff, manages relationships with public schools, child care centers, and other organizations, and works in policy development. “It encompasses every skill I remember learning,” Johnston said.

When asked if she suggests other students join the Alumni Association, Johnston agreed enthusiastically. “It’s a nice way to give back to BUSSW, and you build a separate professional network,” she said. “Plus, it’s a lot of fun.”