Parents & Family

Supporting Your Student’s Career Journey

As your students return from Spring Break, it’s a perfect time to re-focus on their summer job or internship search—and the good news is, employers are still actively hiring! We encourage your student to take the following steps to set themselves up for success.

Take Action Now

To make the most of the remaining semester, encourage your student to:

• Optimize Handshake: Ensure their profile is complete to attract recruiters.
• Apply for Roles: Search and apply for active internships and jobs directly in Handshake.
• Network: Reach out to alumni for informational interviews to learn about different career paths.
• Meet with a Coach: Schedule an appointment to build a concrete plan and practice interviewing.

Celebrate Success: Report Acceptances

Please encourage your student to report their job, internship, and graduate school acceptances. Reporting outcomes highlights the success of our students, which strengthens the University’s national reputation and increases the long-term value of a Wake Forest degree. Plus, they’ll reduce the emails they receive from us and Handshake!

Quick Tips for Parents

The career landscape changes rapidly. Here is how you can best support your student right now:

1. Focus on Skills, Not Just Brands: Encourage them to look for a wide range of roles and job titles that match their skills and interests rather than just household-name companies.
2. Apply Early: Many organizations review applications as they arrive. Waiting until the deadline can sometimes be too late. Encourage your student to form a new habit to look at recently posted positions in Handshake and apply ASAP.
3. Ready 7 & Success: Ready 7 is made up of the seven essential competencies that a student needs to be ready to succeed in career and life. Learn how you can partner with the OPCD to help your student. 
4. Encourage Resilience: The search can be tiring. Remind them that a “no” from one employer is simply a step closer to the right “yes. Persist, remain steady, and finish the race strong. 

Upcoming Events

Health Professions Fair

• Date: Tuesday, March 24
• Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Location: Sutton Center

Details: Students can meet representatives from over 40 graduate programs, including medical, dental, and veterinary tracks.

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.