Rick Smith, Ph.D.
Executive Director Smith Career Center, Senior Director of Employer Services; Career Advisor, Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology
Education
Ph.D, Counseling and Personnel Services, University of Louisville
M.A., Counselor Education, Sam Houston State University
B.S., Psychology, Sam Houston State University
Teaching
Rick taught BUS 220 – Career Planning Strategies (for students within the Foster College of Business) from 2000-2015 and 2018 as well as ENC 301 – Planning Career Strategies (for non-business undergraduates) in 2016-2018. He provides mentorship and consults with other instructors for these courses.
He currently provides mentorship and consults with other instructors for these courses.
Professional Experience
Rick Smith, Ph.D., currently serves as the Executive Director of the Smith Career Center (2022-present). He has been with Bradley University since August 2000 initially as the Associate Director (2000-2007), Director of Career Development (2007-2017), and Senior Director for Employer Services (2017-2022). He continues to assist employers as they engage with the university. Additionally, he currently serves as the Career Advisor for the Caterpillar College of Engineering & Technology (2017-present) and previously advised students/alumni in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (2000-2017). During his tenure at Bradley, he has filled in as Career Advisor within each of the college.
Previous positions held in higher education include graduate assistant for Academic Support (1995-2000) and a doctoral internship with Student Support Services and Technology departments (1998-2000) at the University of Louisville, and Career Advisor (1990-1995) at Sam Houston State University.
Service
Rick has served as Director-College Membership for the Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers (MwACE), as well as Professional Development Chair and technology liaison for several Recruiting Trends conferences.
He is a current member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and National Career Development Association (NCDA).
Licensures & Certifications
Career Advisor Scheduled Appointments
Appointments with Career Advisors are designed for more in-depth questions related to internships, full-time employment, graduate school, resumes, cover letters, interviews, job fair preparation, on line resources, etc.
- Available to Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology students and alumni
- Available for questions about graduate school and government-related opportunities