UVI Graduate Paul Smith Reaches New Heights

As an accomplished young pilot employed by Sea Flight providing daily flight service between St. Thomas and St. Croix, Paul Smith is already working in the field of his dreams. Growing up around aviation – his father and uncle were both pilots – Paul has been flying planes for 11 years. He became licensed at age 17 and has been a commercial pilot since he was 19.


Even with his early accomplishments, Paul decided to pursue a college degree at UVI in 2019 with the hopes of gaining employment with a major airline after graduation. When the airlines dropped the four-year degree requirement in 2022, Paul chose to stay the course. In May 2024, he graduated with a degree in Business Information Services and Technology.


Paul, who plans to apply for a job as a pilot with a major airline, said his four-year degree and work experience will give him an advantage. “I also learned a lot about better time management at UVI,” said Paul, a skill he can bring to the job.

Born in St. Thomas, Paul was raised in Anguilla and has an appreciation for both islands. After graduating from high school in Anguilla, he chose UVI because several of his family members are alumni. In high school, he developed an interest in computers and information technology and decided to pursue that in college. At UVI, he enjoyed the welcoming Caribbean culture and also recalls his advisor and professor Renel Smith who motivated him when he didn’t do well in a class. “He told me, ‘I know you can do better’ and I appreciated that,” said Paul.

Highlights from his aviation career so far include flying UVI faculty and staff between the islands and VI Governor Albert Bryan Jr. on numerous occasions. “He told me I’m a very good pilot,” said Paul about the Governor. Paul also works at Standard Aviation as a fueler and handler of private aircraft and is an entrepreneur making charter arrangements on the side.

 “My business courses at UVI have helped me with the business aspect of things.”

In his free time, Paul enjoys boats and is working on getting his boat captain’s license. He also enjoys movies and spending time with family. Paul is thankful for all of the opportunities afforded to him and hopes to give back to the Virgin Islands and Anguillian communities in the field of aviation.