Wake on Break
You earned this! Thanksgiving and Winter break are your golden opportunity to focus on rest, enjoyment, and spending time with loved ones.
Once you’re feeling recharged, this is also the perfect time to get a head start on your career goals.
Here are some options to maximize your productivity without sacrificing your holiday spirit.
1. Make Handshake Work for You!
Be honest: You don’t have time to scroll through irrelevant jobs all semester. This break, customize your Handshake account. Spend 30 minutes following three simple steps on Handshake so you can step into spring semester with confidence.
2. Learn & Develop New Skills
Take free high-value courses and certifications that employers recognize.
| Platform | Course/Certification Examples |
| LinkedIn Learning | Excel Essential Training, Project Management Foundations, Communicating Across Cultures |
| Coursera | Google Data Analytics, Python, Project Management, Digital Marketing |
3. Connect & Build Your Network
Connect with alumni to learn about their career paths and get advice on next steps.
| Opportunity | Platform |
| Wake Network | Access exclusive career resources, mentorship, and connections with Wake Forest alumni. |
| Informational Interviews | Learn how to conduct an Informational Interview including delivering your professional introduction and selecting questions to ask. |
| Alumni Outreach | Connect with alumni on LinkedIn. Use this sample message to create your own. |
4. Gain Experience
Build skills and experience with a short-term work project.
| Platform | Employer / Project Examples |
| Forage | JPMorgan Chase Investment Banking Simulation, BCG Strategy Consulting Simulation, Citi Risk & Analytics Virtual Experience |
| Parker Dewey | Social Media Audit, Market Research Analysis, Data Entry and Clean-Up |
5. Meet with a Career Coach
Get answers to your questions and develop an action plan for the Spring semester.
- Schedule an appointment using Handshake to discuss resumes, interviews, or career planning.
- Availability: The university is closed from December 22 through January 4. Coaches are available to meet before December 22 and starting on Monday, January 5.