Parents & Family
Aug ’25 News

The Fall recruiting season is about to begin, so all students thinking about securing internships and jobs in 2026 should get ready. See how to get started below.
We’re excited to announce a new photo booth coming to the OPCD this fall for professional headshots. This free resource will help your student get a great headshot for their professional profiles.
College
College students will begin classes on August 25, and with that, come many career opportunities. We encourage students to attend career fairs and workshops to explore opportunities, learn about different industries, and connect with potential employers. Your student can access all of our career education and recruiting events in the Handshake system. Some of our September events include:
* Will be posted on Handshake in the next few weeks.
Remind your student to take advantage of OPCD services, which include resume and cover letter assistance, major exploration, career exploration, networking strategies, and graduate/professional school information. If your student had an internship or other summer experience, they should add it to their resume along with new skills. Attending a Wake Your Resume workshop is a great way to do this well. Early engagement with the OPCD will give your student a kick start on their career preparation, especially in a challenging job market.
School of Business
As the summer season concludes and the fall semester approaches, now is the perfect time for School of Business students to reflect on their recent experiences and prepare for future opportunities. They should update their resume, LinkedIn, and Handshake profiles with any new skills, projects, or roles. For students interested in finance, consulting, or any other business career, the MRE Career Hub offers a wide range of resources, from internship and job search support to interview prep and offer negotiations. If your student is unsure where to begin, remind them that they are not alone. They can schedule a one-on-one appointment with their career coach to gain clarity, build confidence, and continue making strides on their professional journey. We look forward to supporting your student this semester.
Job/Internship Search
The current hiring market is facing headwinds, but we want to assure you that we’re making as many connections as possible to find great jobs and internships for our students. We would appreciate your help in a few key ways.
- If you know of any organizations or people who are hiring, please connect them with our Director of Employer Relations, Dana Hutchens, at hutchens@wfu.edu.
- Encourage your student to work with a WFU career coach to develop a solid strategy (to be open to many options and have a backup plan) for their job search.
- Remind your student of the importance of being very proactive: they should apply for a wide range of opportunities, apply as early as possible, and network with WFU alumni, friends, and family members. This year especially, fortune will favor the prepared and proactive.
Professional Headshots Now Available for All Students

New Iris Photo Booth helps students put their best professional image forward
Your student is getting ready to elevate their professional presence! The Office of Personal & Career Development (OPCD) now offers a new Iris Photo Booth in Reynolda 230. This free service provides your student with a professional headshot, perfect for their LinkedIn profile, online portfolios, and other professional needs.
The photo booth is available to all students during business hours. They will receive information on how to access the booth and best utilize their new headshot across all their professional platforms. Encourage your student to be on the look out for information, and take the next step in building their professional brand!
Webinars

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 are providing you with a Ready 7 guide which includes language on how to help your scholar navigate the process.