Ready7 for Parents
What it means to be Ready7
Every student needs to know about Ready7, which was developed right here at Wake Forest. Ready 7 is made up of the seven essential competencies that a student needs to be ready to succeed in career and life.
1. Self-Awareness
Being able to articulate your skills, interests, and values for your own clarity and decision-making – and to communicate with others.
Often overlooked, understanding yourself – your strengths, skills, interests, and values – is foundational. It enables you to connect your Wake Forest experience to the world of work and confidently articulate who you are and what interests you. It is the “personal” in Personal and Career Development.
First Action
Ask your student to make two lists:
- Three strongest skills
- Three topics that energize or interest them
Deeper Dive
Encourage your student to:
- Take a College to Career course.
- Make an appointment with a career coach or visit drop-in office hours in the OPCD.
2. Career-Awareness
Knowing potential career paths of interest that align with your skills, interests, and values.
There are a large range of careers available and most students are not even aware of them. Having a clear understanding of career options is essential.
First Action
Ask your student to create a list of three career areas to explore.
For ideas, check out the Explore Careers page.
Deeper Dive
- Browse Wake Forest alumni profiles by city, career, or major on LinkedIn.
- Introduce students to someone you know who works in their area of interest.
See guidelines and tips for informational interviews.
3. Personal Branding
Having strong, updated personal-branding materials: resume, LinkedIn and Handshake profiles, and a professional introduction.
A personal brand is the impression you give －in person, online, or on paper. A positive impression is often the difference-maker in getting hired and building a professional network.
First Action
Suggest your student create (or update) their resume, LinkedIn, and Handshake profiles using best-practice tips and examples on the OPCD website.
Deeper Dive
Guide your student to refine their LinkedIn profile and add professional experience to highlight their measurable impact on the organization. Your student can learn about Delivering an Authentic Elevator Pitch and work with a career coach to develop a 30 to 60-second snapshot of their interests and why they add professional value.
4. Network & Relationship Building
Building and sustaining successful relationships to share knowledge and information – one person at a time.
Many students do not like the term “networking,” but, young professionals seeking opportunities need to learn, connect and have conversations with adult professionals and employers who can offer information, perspective, and advice about careers, helpful resources and experiences, internships and jobs.
First Action
Help your student build 5-10 connections on LinkedIn with alumni and professionals by sending well-written personal connection requests.
Deeper Dive
- Help students to be prepared with a solid answer to the question, “What do you want to do after Wake Forest?”
- Encourage them to share career interests with a network of “adult fans”: family, friends, and professors. They may be able to connect your student with contacts and/or opportunities.
- Use LinkedIn to identify and connect with interesting alumni in companies, job functions, locations, and other areas of interest.
5. Interviewing Skills
Being able to conduct a formal conversation with a potential employer or admissions officer who is seeking to determine if a student is the best fit for their opportunity.
Most students do not have experience interviewing under pressure. Opportunities are often decided based on interviews, so you must have practiced, confident, researched answers – and questions for the interviewer.
First Action
- Help your student create a list of five important experiences highlighting skills and experience desired by school or organization using the STAR method on the OPCD website.
- Practice talking about these experiences in front of a mirror or by recording and watching on a phone.
Deeper Dive
- Help your student identify skills for the role they seek (based on the job description) and help them refine stories based on their skills and experiences.
- Encourage your student to practice interviewing with you, an OPCD coach or on InterviewPrep, an online mock interview practice tool on the OPCD website.
6. Professional Skills
Having the skills, knowledge, and attitude to be effective and successful in the workplace and/or graduate school environment.
For internships, first jobs and graduate school, organizations want you to arrive with workplace skills and attitudes, including etiquette, professional written communication skills, and use of business software like Excel. Skills may be learned outside the classroom, including at work, in campus organizations, and through online resources and courses.
First Action
- Help your student develop new professional skills – or improve existing ones – using LinkedIn Learning courses. A link is available on the OPCD website.
Deeper Dive
- Encourage students to be professional in all correspondence especially email.
- Your student can develop public speaking skills by presenting in class, in an internship, or in extracurricular activities – and asking for specific feedback.
- Complete advanced LinkedIn Learning courses focused on Excel, technology, project management, time management, and other necessary skills.
7. Life & Leadership
Preparing for a life after college with knowledge and skills to manage personal relationships and professional choices, and to be an authentic, ethical leader contributing to the community with a spirit of Pro Humanitate.
Leading an authentic and meaningful life is the core of Wake Forest’s commitment to educating the whole person. To do so, it is imperative for you to not only find a job and be successful in the workplace, but to honor and focus on the development of your own character, values and strengths.
First Action
- Visit the Alumni Personal & Career Development website to access tools, resources, and guidance for your student’s life after college;
- Review/read “Five For Your First Five: Own Your Career and Life After College” to learn the five areas for young adults to master in the first five years after Wake Forest.
Deeper Dive
- Encourage your student to intentionally reflect on college, first professional experiences and what they know now about their personal values, strengths, and interests.
- Students can learn strategies for managing priorities and finances through CashCourse which can be found on the OPCD website.
- Encourage your student to build community with people who can provide feedback, mentorship and connect to helpful resources.