As an undergraduate, Smith spent two summers in Washington D.C., first with the congressional office of John Boehner, currently the House Minority Leader and then with the House Conference Committee. Upon graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a minor in Business, she traveled to Cleveland, Ohio where her first campaign experience was working for Congressman Martin Hoke's 1996 re-election bid.

In 1997, Smith joined the staff of the Ohio Republican Party as Finance Associate under the Director and Deputy Director. As part of the Ohio Republican Party's finance team, she helped organize the successful 1998 Governor's Gala for then-Governor Bob Taft.

In 1999, Smith returned to her hometown of Troy, Ohio to work as Field Representative for Representative John Boehner, where she was responsible for the congressman's yearly Farm Forum event bringing together farmers and agri-businesses from Ohio and surrounding states.

In 2004, after the successful re-election of President George W. Bush, Smith joined the private sector as Research Associate for LexisNexis in Dayton, Ohio.

Throughout her career, Smith served as Secretary for the Miami County Young Republicans and as public relations director for her local church, First Lutheran Church in Troy, Ohio, during the congregation's new building campaign.

In addition to civic service and promoting the ideals of liberty and the free market, Smith has a strong love of history. She served as interim curator for the Troy Overfield Tavern Museum and is an active member of the George Roger's Clark Historical Association. Yearly, she serves as a guest judge for the Ohio Historical Society's National History Day.