The Bradley Advantage: How the Smith Career Center Powers Lifelong Success

At Bradley, the Smith Career Center (SCC) is more than a campus resource—it’s a lifelong partner in career success.

For students, the support starts early and runs deep. From internship and job postings to one-on-one advising, the center helps students navigate every step of their professional journey. Career advisors provide personalized guidance on resumes, cover letters, graduate school planning, and interview strategies, while career peer advisors offer approachable, day-to-day support through drop-in hours, workshops, and events.

“SCC has consistently been a valuable resource throughout both my academic and professional journey,” explained Melissa Islam ’15. “From selecting courses that enhance marketability to building a strong resume, securing internships, pivoting from not-so-great workplaces, conducting informational interviews, networking, setting up LinkedIn, and negotiating offers, their support has been instrumental.” 

Carter Schwalb ’25, a former career peer advisor in the SCC, saw that impact up close. “Whether a student was looking for a resume tune-up or worried about a job interview the following day, I got to support a wide range of students, from first-years to alumni,” he said.

That hands-on experience shaped his own path. Now an AI Engineer at HNI Corporation, Schwalb credits the center with helping him think differently about the job search. “Rather than cold-applying to every possible job position, narrow your search… and reach out to someone directly,” he said. “Use your Bradley contacts.”

For him, the biggest breakthroughs came from showing up in person. “Attending in-person networking events changed the game for me. I’m proud to say both of my internships—and my first full-time role—were the direct result of a conversation I had at either Resume Critique Day or a Job Fair.”

That emphasis on connection and preparation continues long after graduation. The SCC offers its services free to alumni for life—something many graduates don’t expect, but quickly come to value. “The SCC provides insight into hiring trends, market expectations, and effective negotiation strategies, making them a valuable sounding board for career decisions,” Islam said, adding that SCC has been a valuable partner when it comes to salary negotiations.

“By applying the guidance provided by the SCC, I secured an annual salary approximately $20,000 higher than many of my recent graduate peers when entering the workforce full-time,” she explained. “In a previous role, I negotiated a 14.7% increase from the initial offer and was promoted within eight months, resulting in an additional 25.6% salary increase.”

Recent graduates commend SCC for strong early career preparation and setting clear expectations. Derek Durham ’25, who works at US Conveyor Technologies Manufacturing, said SCC helped him feel more prepared and confident in his job search. “It was really helpful, especially knowing what I should expect to get for a salary,” he said. “The SCC staff want what’s best for you.”

“I met with Rick Smith (SCC’s Executive Director) for resume review and job fair preparation as a student,” said Chris Weilbake ’24, MS ’25, now a structural engineer at KFI Engineers. “He helped me prepare for in-person interviews and professionalize my resume.”

Kendall Tom ’25 found similar value while preparing for technical interviews at Henry Technologies where he now works. “Rick helped me understand what exactly employers are looking for and what resources I can use to improve my chances. He also prepared me for the interview format.”

Whether it’s helping a first-year student land an internship, coaching a senior through job offers, or guiding an alum through a career pivot, the SCC meets Bradley Braves at every stage.

“SCC’s value and expertise continues to grow and has proved more valuable than any other professional services I’ve seen or personally used,” Islam noted. “You’re always a Bradley Brave, so don’t hesitate to use the services available to you as a student and long after graduation.”

On Thursday, May 7, check out the Braves Talk with Rick Smith to learn more about SCC resources.

—Emily Potts