Parents & Family

As your student takes their next steps—whether they are launching their career as a new graduate or building skills over the summer—the Office of Personal & Career Development (OPCD) is here to ensure they transition smoothly and confidently into the professional world.

Here is how you can help your student navigate the current job market, leverage powerful resources, and maximize their opportunities.

For Parents of Graduating Seniors

Congratulations to the families of our newest Wake Forest alumni! As your graduate steps out of the forest and into their career, please make sure they check out our Alumni Office of Personal & Career Development (APCD) course, Out of the Forest Resources, and our Class of 2026 Pro Tips to ensure they are fully prepared for life after graduation.

One such resource is Beyond the Forest: 5 Weeks to Accelerate Your Search. Over the 5 Tuesdays in June your student will receive an email walking them through tips and action steps to:

• Create a Strategic Job Target
• Research Roles and Organizations
• Update Personal Marketing Documents
• Network and Navigate the Hidden Job Market
• Use Everything They’ve Learned to Strategically Apply

Register here.

Two Immediate Steps for Graduates on Handshake:

Even after graduation, the job search doesn’t have to stop. Handshake currently hosts over 40,000 active job and internship listings. To keep this powerful tool working for them:

1. Keep Handshake Access: Standard WFU student emails expire 60 days after graduation. To maintain seamless access to Handshake, graduates must set up their WFU Alumni email and complete our transition form.
2. Optimize Their Profile: Encourage them to “Power-Up” their profile details. This improves Handshake’s smart recommendation algorithm, bringing the most relevant opportunities straight to their inbox.

For 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

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.

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.

Great 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. 

A Word About AI

AI proficiency is a standard expectation. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the demand for AI skills in entry-level positions has nearly tripled recently, and 60% of employers are already assigning AI-driven projects to their interns.

We want to reassure you and your student that employers are not looking to replace human workers. Instead, they are seeking “AI-augmented” talent, professionals who use modern tools to enhance productivity, navigate ethical considerations, and solve complex problems.

At WFU, we are proactively helping your student bridge this gap:

• We help them transition from basic users to “AI Orchestrators” who can manage these tools strategically.
• We teach students to view AI as a complement to human strengths like critical thinking, empathy, and communication.

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.