Parents & Family

Whether your student just crossed the stage in May, is getting prepared for their first year, or is gearing up for another year on campus, summer is a fantastic time to think about what’s next.

The College Office of Personal and Career Development (OPCD) and the School of Business Market Readiness & Employment (MRE) are fully open and ready to support your Deacs all summer long. Here is a quick look at how we can partner with your student right now, based on where they are in their journey.

Quick Links:

• Parents of Our Brand-New ’26 Graduates
• Parents of Lower-Division Students
• Opportunity for Rising Sophomores & Juniors
• Parents of Students Studying Abroad This Fall

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For Parents of Our Brand-New ’26 Graduates

First of all, congratulations! The cap and gown might be put away, but our support doesn’t stop at graduation. If your grad is still navigating their next steps, our career coaches are ready to work with them.

We have an incredible lineup of job search workshops, courses, and networking events happening right now to keep their momentum going this summer:

Available to ALL Wake Forest University Alumni:

Available to School of Business Alumni:

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Parents of Lower-Division Students: Three Ways to Maximize This Summer

Whether your student is returning to campus in the fall or seeking post-grad experience, summer is a prime time for growth. Share these three key strategies with them

1. Broaden the Definition of “Summer Experience”

There is often intense pressure to land a high-profile corporate internship, but that is not the only path to success. Our Summer Experience resources highlight multiple ways to build valuable, resume-worthy skills. Part-time jobs, local volunteering, or independent research all build the critical professional skills employers value.

2. Gain Industry-Recognized Tech Certifications & Build Skills

Summer is the ultimate “low-distraction” zone. Without the pressure of exams and heavy course loads, it’s the perfect window for your student to clarify their career goals and prepare for the job search process. Students can dive into the rich resources on the Office of Personal & Career Development (College) and Market Readiness & Employment (School of Business) websites, or schedule a time to meet with a career coach via Zoom.

AI Training and Certifications

Help your student stand out to recruiters by encouraging them to explore our AI Training and Certifications. Through our partnerships, students can earn industry-standard credentials from leaders like Google and Microsoft, proving they have the hands-on skills required in the modern workplace.

Summer Skill Building on Forage

Forage is an online platform that provides free, open-access virtual job simulations designed by the world’s top employers.

Instead of just reading about a career, your student can spend 4 to 6 hours test-driving a real, entry-level role. They will complete tasks that replicate daily corporate work, watch video instructions from real employees, and compare their output to model professional examples.

3. Make the Most of Every Internship

If your student has secured an internship, encourage them to be highly proactive. They can maximize the internship by:

• Actively asking for constructive feedback.
• Networking with colleagues across different departments.
• Treating every task—even the routine ones—as a golden opportunity to demonstrate their work ethic and reliability.

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Opportunity for Rising Sophomores & Juniors

The WFU/Charlotte: Undergraduate Internship Semester allows students to test their academic foundations and explore their professional interests in a real-world arena. By pairing specialized coursework at The Pearl, the city’s premier hub for innovation, with a high-impact internship, participants will embark on the journey from academic learners to impact-driven professionals.  

This spring-only program launches in January 2027. The Priority Deadline for the Spring 2027 program is July 15, 2026. The final deadline is September 1, 2026 depending on space availability. Learn more here. 

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Parents of Students Studying Abroad This Fall

If your student is packing their bags for a semester abroad, we are so excited for them! However, a quick heads-up on recruiting. Many organizations conduct internship recruiting for juniors during the Fall, which is exactly when many Wake Forest juniors are studying abroad.

To make sure your student doesn’t miss out while they are exploring a new country, they need to get prepared this summer so they are fully able to participate while away in the Fall.

Pro-Tip: Have them review the resources on our Study Abroad tips pages and meet with a career coach via Zoom this summer. Getting the groundwork done now means they can apply for internships stress-free from anywhere in the world.

• OPCD Study Abroad Website
• Business Study Abroad Website

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.