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Student Spotlight | Jakasia Smith

Posted on April 28, 2025 by Shane Mongale
Shane Mongale

Jakasia Smith standing in front of the Mitchell College of Business. data-lightbox='featured'

Jakasia Smith鈥檚 journey at the Mitchell College of Business is a story of ambition, versatility and perseverance. Having earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from South Alabama, Smith chose to continue her education there for her graduate studies. Her familiarity with the supportive faculty and positive campus environment reinforced her decision. Smith is set to graduate in May 2025 with a Master of Business Administration.

"I've always had a deep interest in business, which has shaped my journey in many ways," Smith said. Her entrepreneurial drive took root in 2021, 鈥淚 took a leap of faith and launched my own business, where I created my website from scratch. This experience reinforced my passion for entrepreneurship鈥� she recalled. Alongside her entrepreneurial ventures, Smith values the connections and collaboration that come from working in an office environment.

Throughout her academic journey, Smith acknowledges the invaluable support and guidance of faculty members Cynthia Garey, Dr. Sonya Cole, and Dr. Thomas Nelson. She credits them with helping her gain a deeper understanding of both real-world concepts and campus resources. With just one month remaining until graduation, Smith reflects on her smooth and positive experience, emphasizing the faculty's accessibility and willingness to address any concerns along the way.

Smith鈥檚 practical experience includes an externship with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where she conducted research, attended meetings with PwC consultants and contributed to strategic decisions for a nonprofit organization. Smith also participated in the STEP Internship Program at the 欲漫涩 Federal Credit Union, as she explained, "These experiences have significantly enhanced my learning and provided me with the skills and insights that will be invaluable as I advance in my career."

Smith is particularly excited about the flexibility her career path offers. "What truly excites me is the opportunity to have a flexible schedule, allowing me the freedom to work from home or in the office," Smith said. Having a workable schedule enables her to balance her professional goals while continuing her entrepreneurial efforts. She runs a thriving dropshipping business, working with a trusted vendor in Qingdao, China, to provide high-quality hair extensions to customers worldwide.

In addition to her entrepreneurial efforts, Smith is a dedicated graduate assistant actively involved in supporting professors with their research. Recently, she collaborated with Dr. Charlene Dadzie on a project exploring cultural perceptions and community dynamics across continents. "I successfully embedded information about cultural perceptions and community dynamics from a different continent," Smith explained, reflecting on her role in the project.

For incoming business students, Smith offers a simple yet powerful piece of advice: "Nothing is unachievable. With self-discipline and a focused mindset on your goals, everything will start to align into a larger purpose, like fitting pieces of a puzzle together.鈥�

Learn more about the Mitchell College of Business' fully online Master of Business Administration.

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