Aj Smith - Plenty of Positivity

Plenty of Positivity's Rising Star:

✨ Aj Smith ✨

Elevating Leaders for Tomorrow

This is a special segment of Plenty of Positivity where we highlight Rising Stars who exemplify excellence and focus on positivity in their lives to make their dreams come true, while providing others hope and inspiration to chase after their dreams. We are committed to elevating leaders for tomorrow.

Plenty of Positivity welcomes Aj Smith!

This quote is my favorite because it points out that it is not our weaknesses that scare us the most, but our light. We’re used to focusing on our flaws. But when we catch a glimpse of our full potential it can feel intimidating. But in reality we all were born to shine. Playing small doesn’t help anyone, not you, not the world. You have an opportunity to live up to your full potential and help others. Why not take advantage? You were created with purpose and intention. That alone is proof that you’re meant to do great things.

✨ How has a positive mindset shaped your "Life, Sport, Career"?

A positive mindset has been the foundation of everything I’ve achieved on the field, in the classroom, and in my career journey.

As a student-athlete and captain of the Rugby team here at the College of Charleston, I’ve faced setbacks, losses, and injuries. But through it all, I learned to focus on what I could control: my attitude and my effort. Instead of seeing failure as defeat, I started seeing it as data, a lesson to grow from. That shift alone helped me become a better leader. Whether we were down in a game or pushing my body to its limits, staying positive allowed me to keep the team motivated and focused on solutions, not problems.

In school, as a Systems Engineer with a Math minor trying to balance courses with life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. A positive mindset helped me stay consistent and grounded. I began to treat every assignment as a step toward my larger goals. I reminded myself that even the most difficult concepts would eventually make sense with effort and time. That belief gave me the confidence to tackle complex subjects and take on leadership roles academically and professionally.

Career-wise, maintaining a positive mindset has opened doors I didn’t even know were possible. During my first internship at Siemens Sophomore year, I focused on learning and adding value, even when tasks felt out of my comfort zone. I approached every challenge as an opportunity to grow. That attitude and work ethic was recognized by mentors and helped me land my internship this summer at Volvo. I’ve learned that positivity isn’t just about smiling through tough times, it’s about believing there’s something to gain from every experience, good or bad.

Overall, a positive mindset has helped me stay disciplined, bounce back from setbacks, and lead with purpose. It’s not about ignoring challenges, it’s about facing them with the belief that I can overcome and come out stronger. That belief has shaped who I am today and continues to push me toward who I’m becoming.

Photo Credit: Aj Smith

About Me

My name is Aj Smith, I’m from Rock Hill, SC. I am a rising senior at the College of Charleston studying to be a Systems Engineer with a minor in Math. I also represent my school as a Student Athlete. I have been blessed with the opportunities to represent my school as a 3x National Collegiate Rugby All Star and the Captain of the college’s rugby team. But more importantly I am a student before an athlete committed to growth both in the classroom and on the field. Whether I’m working through complex math problems or balancing a full course load with training and matches, I bring the same energy and accountability to everything I do. On a professional level I’ve gained internships with Siemens and Volvo, where I worked on real-world projects that deepened my knowledge and interest in systematic thinking and operational efficiency.