For Jenkins MBA student Collin Smith, joining the Wolfpack felt a bit like destiny. Growing up in Gibsonville, N.C., the hometown of NC State legends Kay and Debbie Yow and Torry and Terrence Holt, Smith helped tend to his family farm – learning the value of hard work and developing a Think and Do mindset from an early age. And with several NC State alumni and fans in the family, including his parents, brother, uncle and grandfather, his heart was always set on NC State.
When it became time to decide on a college, he turned down scholarship offers from several smaller schools to join NC State’s football team as a walk-on. Although it meant starting his athletic career behind memorable players, Smith embraced the challenge to work hard and earn a starting role.
Off the field, he brought that same drive and tenacity into his academic career at Poole College of Management. We connected with Smith to hear more about his journey as a student-athlete, his experience in the Jenkins MBA program and his goals for the future.
What are some highlights from your athletic career at NC State?
One specific moment that stands out is my first collegiate start in 2022 after sitting behind kicker Chris Dunn and punter Trenton Gill. I made my first field goal against UConn that same year. At the end of that season, I was awarded a scholarship beginning the following spring semester. Not only was it rewarding, but it motivated me to continue playing football while pursuing my undergraduate business degree. That winter, I was recognized as a Caterpillar Scholar Athlete during a home basketball game, which was a testament to the hard work and dedication required on and off the field.
There have been so many other unforgettable experiences. Beating Clemson and UNC at home games in 2021, with fans storming the field both times, was surreal. Traveling to play in iconic NFL and college stadiums has also been incredible, as each venue presents a new challenge and an opportunity to represent NC State on a national stage.
Tell us a bit about your academic journey.
Due to having a redshirt athletic year, plus an extra year of eligibility due to Covid, I was eligible to play football for six seasons, which allowed me to pursue a master’s degree. I chose to stay at NC State and applied to the Jenkins MBA online program. The program’s focus on STEM applications and leadership development appealed to me and seemed like a natural progression for my graduate-level studies – and the online format made it possible for me to continue playing football since my mornings are reserved for workouts, meetings, film study, walkthroughs and practices.
The program has been the perfect environment for me to advance my business knowledge and prepare for the next chapter in my professional life. I am currently on track to graduate with honors this December, a little less than six years from my academic start at NC State. That will make me the first athlete to graduate with an MBA from NC State while still playing football.
How has it been balancing athletics and academics?
It’s definitely been a challenge. Football season might only be 15 weeks long, but the work put into the season is year-round. We have a month of spring camp, a month of fall camp and daily strength workouts and player-led practices throughout the year.
As an MBA student especially, managing the demands of the program while maintaining my commitment to football has put my time management, organization and prioritization skills to the test. I have learned over time that proper sleep and good nutrition are key contributors to meeting the expectations of both! Achieving any kind of success requires you to establish a structured routine, be intentional with every hour and find ways to stay motivated – even when things get hectic. Putting this into practice has helped me remain calm under pressure and balance the demands of graduate school, collegiate football and four summer internships. Despite how challenging it’s been, it has been an incredibly rewarding experience – and I know the growth and experience I have gained along the way will be invaluable in my personal life and career.
Tell us more about your internships.
After my sophomore season, I took on an assistant superintendent intern role with JM Thompson, a local general contractor. Working on-site at a construction site in Apex, N.C. allowed me to stay close to campus and participate in early morning football workouts. My internship there was foundational in building my project management and leadership skills – and since I was balancing football and full-time work, I also learned key time management skills,
After my junior and senior years, I had the opportunity to intern with Caterpillar in Sanford, N.C., which kept me “local” and available for football workouts and player-led practices while also giving me an understanding of manufacturing and exposing me to Caterpillar’s product line. During my first summer there, I worked in Caterpillar’s supply chain management and operations division, where I focused on data collection and analyzing manufacturing plant efficiency and process improvement. The following summer, I returned as a logistics engineer and worked with a team on new product development and manpower planning. Additionally, I reviewed annual service contracts and lease agreements and worked on assignments pertaining to asset audits. Combined, these experiences solidified my interest in supply chain and operations while also teaching me how to adapt, innovate and collaborate in a dynamic environment.
What have you enjoyed and appreciated most about the Jenkins MBA program?
One of the most rewarding parts of the program has been the opportunity to participate in several in-person residencies on campus. Bringing together Jenkins MBA students from across the country, these three-day seminars have enriched my understanding of the business world and allowed me to build a network of peers and mentors with diverse perspectives and experiences – including successful entrepreneurs and leaders from Fortune 500 companies whose insights are shaping the future of their industries. These industry contacts have been invaluable to my growth in the program and have also become personal references for my post-graduation job search. In addition to the residencies, I have appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with peers on group projects and enhance the teamwork, leadership, public speaking and presentation skills needed for career growth.
What’s next?
I plan to secure a role in the construction and contracting industry with the goal of one day owning my own contracting business and managing a real estate company in single-family rentals and vacation properties. My entire academic journey at NC State has been instrumental in preparing me for this path. Thanks to NC State’s focus on leadership development, industry connections and real-world business applications, I have built a solid foundation and gained essential skills for business.
Combined with my experiences as a student-athlete, I feel equipped with a unique perspective and resilience that will guide me as I work toward these long-term goals. I believe the exposure I’ve had to diverse groups of teammates, classmates and co-workers has strengthened my ability to work productively in a team environment, which will be crucial for any leadership role I take on in the future.
Learn more
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This post was originally published in Jenkins MBA News.
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