Parents & Family
September ’26 News
Recruiting Season Is in Full Swing. Here’s How to Help.
Fall is the single busiest recruiting month of the year at Wake Forest. Between now and mid-October, your student has several concrete, low-lift ways to get engaged, and a few important deadlines to know about if they’re eyeing certain industries.
Don’t Miss the Fall Career Fair | Wednesday, Sept. 16 | Noon–4 p.m. | Sutton Center. This fair is open to every Wake Forest student, regardless of school or major, and more than 60 organizations are registered to meet with students about full-time roles and internships. It isn’t just for juniors and seniors, either. It’s a low-pressure way for first-years and sophomores to start exploring careers and companies, and practice talking about themselves professionally. Encourage your student to review the employer list in Handshake beforehand, pick 3–5 target organizations, and prepare some great informational questions for each.
Get Fair-Ready First. Two events can help your student walk into the fair with confidence:
- First in the Forest: Career Fair Prep — Mon, Sept 14, 4 p.m., Reynolda Hall, Room 230. This is a dedicated prep session for newer students who’ve never attended a career fair before. All students are welcome to attend.
- MRE Career Fair Office Hours — Tue, Sept. 15, 3:15 p.m., Farrell Hall (Bitove Lounge). Drop-in help refining an elevator pitch or resume right before the fair. All students are welcome to attend.
Resumes Matter. “Wake Your Resume” Series: This recurring workshop (Reynolda Hall, Room 230, 4 p.m.) runs nearly every Wednesday this fall – Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, and Oct. 14. It’s an easy way for your student to get resume feedback before applications ramp up. Encourage them to attend at least once. It tends to fill up as deadlines approach.
Heading Into Accounting, Consulting, or Finance? Recruiting Moves Fast. These three industries recruit for internships much earlier than almost any other field, starting sophomore year, with application deadlines in August and September. If your student is interested, encourage them to review the four-year game plans now.
Your student should register for two upcoming events now. Both are open to any student with an interest in the field — not just business majors:
- Finance Accelerator – Sat, Oct. 17, 9 a.m., Farrell Hall
- Fall 2026 Finance & Accounting Networking Night – Thurs, Oct. 22, 6–8 p.m.
Power Up Handshake. None of the above matters if your student’s Handshake profile isn’t up to date. Remind them to update and complete their profile and, importantly, list their career interests. This information drives employer views and invitations, events, and OPCD messages they receive.
Student Checklists
For College Students
- Register for the Fall Career Fair now! It’s open to all majors, so set a goal even if it’s just “learn about two industries or career paths I hadn’t considered.”
- Attend a Wake Your Resume session before application deadlines pick up in October.
- If you’re a first year or sophomore who is considering accounting, consulting, or finance — no matter your major — read the relevant game plan this week and consider the Finance Accelerator (Oct. 17) or Finance & Accounting Networking Night (Oct. 22). Deadlines for some programs are already closing.
- Talk to a career coach about turning career fair conversations into next steps.
For School of Business Students
Recruiting timelines are tightest for business students right now. Encourage your student to:
- Keep a standing check-in with their Market Readiness & Employment (MRE) coach
- Use MRE Career Fair Office Hours (Sept. 15) to prepare for the fair
- Follow up with every employer contact within 48 hours of meeting them
- Remember that the Fall Career Fair, Finance Accelerator, and Finance & Accounting Networking Night all draw students from across the university. This is a great chance to network beyond the business school, too.
Hire Wake Forest Talent
As a parent or family member, you know firsthand the quality, dedication, and preparation of Wake Forest students. If your organization is looking for exceptional interns or full-time employees who are ready to make an immediate impact, we encourage you to consider hiring from within the Forest.
Our students are equipped with the professional and communication skills, technical expertise, and adaptability required in today’s evolving workplace. You can help create opportunities for the next generation of Deacons by either contacting our Employer Relations team directly () or referring your head of talent and recruiting to our Employer Resources page.
Spring 2026 Webinars
Senior Families
Mar 26, 2026
Sophomore & Junior Families
April 8, 2026
First-Year Families
April 21, 2026
What can you do as a parent?
Parents play a critical role in their child’s college experience and their decisions for the future. However, the world of work is quite different than 30, 20 or even 10 years ago. In order to give your student sound advice, it is essential for you to understand the environment, resources and opportunities available for your student. You can play an integral role as your student navigates through their time at Wake Forest and makes plans for their future.
How can I guide my student through the college-to-career process?
You know the furniture assembly instructions that are impossible to follow especially when you have missing parts? Our Ready 7 process is not like that! We not only provide 7 achievable steps for students to follow, but also the tools and resources to complete them in order to be fully “career and life ready.” As a supporter of your student, we’ve put together a Ready 7 guide just for families which includes language on how to help your Deac navigate the process.