Wake Forest earns national ‘Career Spark Award’

Wake Forest is one of 12 institutions earning a 2023 Handshake Career Spark Award in the student engagement category. The award recognizes the University’s Office of Personal and Career Development (OPCD) for its innovation and dedication to engaging students in career development from Day One.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from our partners at Handshake. Today’s college student faces many barriers to being fully engaged in their personal and career development process,” said Vice President for Personal and Career Development Andy Chan. “At Wake Forest, we are committed to educating and empowering every student to be confident and ready for the entire career journey, and effectively employable for life.”

Wake Forest students take career readiness seriously. From July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, 77% of all undergraduates engaged with the OPCD. Whether through workshops, employer events, career treks or personal career coaching, there was strong engagement across the board – from arts and humanities students (84%), students of color (77% ) and first-generation students (76%).

The University’s First in the Forest and First Gen Ambassadors programs offer tailored and intentional career support for first-generation students. 

Examples of early and ongoing career development engagement with students include:

• Participating in an interactive OPCD-led orientation session introducing first-year students and families to personal and career development at Wake Forest.
• Enrolling in for-credit career courses that cover how to identify personal strengths and interests, find internships, job search and develop essential professional and life skills.
• Connecting with faculty and staff in academic departments who are available to help students consider internship and job search options in their fields of study.

“Sometimes, navigating the journey from college to career can cause anxiety, but at Wake Forest, students know they are not on this journey alone,” said Associate Vice-President of Personal and Career Heidi Robinson. “We support our students when they first step on campus and meet them where they are so they know they have allies. Early and intentional relationship building creates the kind of student engagement that results in thoughtful career exploration and meaningful career choices.”

In addition to for-credit classes, OPCD offers a proprietary, self-paced Ready7 program that provides tools to help build self and career awareness and develop personal branding, networking, interviewing, and life and leadership skills. 

OPCD is also home to the University’s Mentoring Resource Center, which serves as a central office for the entire Wake Forest community and provides guidance, resources and support for faculty, staff and students managing formal or informal mentoring programs and relationships. Post-graduation, the Mentoring Resource Center continues to provide support for alumni nationwide.