During his freshman year at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), Brayden Smith was told to get involved. It was advice he took seriously.
Smith, a sophomore, got involved in the African American Male Initiative, Latino Male Initiative, School of Business marketing club, School of Business entrepreneurship club, NCCU Flames, Empower Mentorship and Crear Futuros.
Over the summer, he traveled to the Southern Regional Honors Council conference in Florida, HBCU Business Deans Roundtable at Princeton University, Yard Ambassador Immersion in Atlanta and Medtronic Immersion in Minnesota. In the spring, he attended the Thurgood Marshall College Fund DevCon in Maryland.
He got connected to the NCCU university photographer and began modeling. So far, he’s been featured with a NCCU watch, on the billboard in front of Farrison-Newton Communications Building and on the homepage of the university website.
While engaged in all these activities, he has remained an honors student with a 3.9 grade point average. He is majoring in business administration with a concentration in financial analytics.
Reserved to Outgoing
Smith was raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina. His father and grandfather served in the U.S. Navy. He grew up playing basketball and wanted to attend Duke University and play for the Blue Devils basketball team.
He first got a glimpse of NCCU in the 20-teens helping his stepsister move in and out of residence halls. That glimpse stayed with him.
“When I started applying to universities – I applied to more than 20 – there was something about NCCU I just kept coming back to,” Smith said.
Starting as a freshman, Smith liked challenging himself.
“When I first came to campus, I was a very reserved person,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t speak to anyone unless I was spoken to. Then I would place myself in uncomfortable situations and get comfortable in them.”
For example, he found part-time work with the Department of Student Engagement and Leadership. As part of his job, he would talk to high school students touring the campus.
“Originally, I was nervous and would overthink them,” Smith said. “Doing them over and over, it made them easier.”
Best Dressed on Campus
During his first year, he saw an email from Dean Anthony Nelson at the School of Business about Professional Dress Tuesdays. He decided to wear a suit on Tuesdays.
“When you wear a suit, you are never underdressed,” Smith said.
It has also brought him benefits. He was asked by the student body president to attend a Board of Trustees reception. He also attended a career fair put on by the Career and Professional Development Center.
“It’s a great presentation of yourself to all the recruiters,” Smith said. “I get the most out of a situation presenting myself in a suit.”
Three jobs
In his sophomore year, Smith has three part-time jobs. He’s a fellow at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) at the School of Business, where he is a vice president of business analytics and research.
He works for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund as a yard ambassador and influencer, explaining about scholarship, internships and professional development opportunities.
He also works as a career Eagle officer at the Career and Professional Development Center, where he assists students with resumes, mock interviews, internships opportunities and headshots.
Time for Himself
After freshman year, Smith decided to drop some of his extracurricular activities. “It’s OK to not be involved in everything,” Smith said. “To have time for yourself.”
