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Read alumni stories about life & work after Wake Forest.
“The most interesting, rewarding, and fulfilling life is rarely built by following the crowd. Branch out based on your own interests and passions, take big risks throughout your life (where you live, what job you take, traveling on your own), and you will be rewarded with a life that is more aligned to your unique talents and values.”
Caroline Huskey Mack (’15), Chief Operating Officer at Spline in Aspen, Colorado
🎩NEW DEACON SPOTLIGHT🎩
We recently chatted with Michael Hoag (BA 2011 in Communication, Minors in Entrepreneurship and Journalism), Lead Producer at Infinity Ward in Austin, TX. Michael is currently employed by Activision, which is owned by Microsoft, and serves as the lead producer on the Call of Duty team at Infinity Ward, a studio within the Activision umbrella. Infinity Ward is best known for the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series. 🎮
Here are a few fun facts about Michael:
🏈 Michael was once a create-a-player option in the Madden NFL video game.
💛 Michael and his wife, Laura Ormson Hoag ‘10, are both former Wake Forest student athletes and are highly competitive!
🤠 He loves to listen to country music but still needs to learn how to two-step.
We’ll leave you with some wisdom from Michael:
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“Building and maintaining your network requires proactive effort…Even though it adds to the busy and the crazy, it’s important because people feel appreciated when you think of them. Stoking that fire every once in a while is a really big deal.”
Read more of our Q&A with Michael at the 🔗 in our profile or stories.
Join us for our October Alumni Book Discussion Group next week on Wednesday, October 16th (12-1:30pm EST on Zoom), where we will dive into The Unfiltered Enneagram: A Witty and Wise Guide to Self-Compassion. This conversation will be led by Elizabeth Orr, the book’s author and Wake Forest’s Associate University Chaplain for Spiritual Formation, alongside Shell Sizemore (’06, MA ’09), Director of the Wake Forest University Women’s Center.
We will explore how acknowledging the less flattering aspects of our Enneagram Types can lead to profound personal growth. With a blend of humor, candid truths, and practical strategies, we’ll discuss how women can liberate themselves from the stress and fear that often hold them back. Whether you’re new to the Enneagram or a seasoned enthusiast, this discussion promises to be both enlightening and entertaining.
Reading the book is strongly encouraged but not required!
For more information and to register, visit the link in our bio or stories.
Great news! 💥 With intention and practice, networking skills can improve over time.
There are tactical things we can do to set ourselves up to be better connectors. Focus on these 5 steps to hone in on your relationships! 🤝
Also if you’re looking for some organized networking opportunities and practice, check out our list of upcoming events to connect with other Deacs including:
📍Career Pivot Workshops in NYC, DC, and via Zoom
☕️ November Coffee Chat with Alumni (get paired up with another alum for a convo)
💬 Alumni Industry Chats (career planning, freelancers/independent consultants, and nonprofits)
Register for any of these at the link in our bio or stories!
Did you graduate from Wake Forest in 2024? 🎓 We have a special opportunity just for you!
Making new connections is an important way to set yourself up for success in your life after Wake. Whether you’re hoping to build your network professionally or just take a few minutes to meet someone new, sign up for these 1:1 alumni conversations between 2024 graduates and more experienced alums! 🎩
Here’s how it works:
🟡 Register by Friday, October 11.
🟡 Our team will match 2024 grads with a more experienced alum for 1:1 conversations.
🟡 By Tuesday, October 15th, we’ll connect each conversation pair with a short introductory email. Each conversation pair will work to find a time to meet that works for you both! It’s that easy! Plan to chat for 30 minutes, maybe over coffee or a quick bite to eat!
To participate, register at the link in our bio or stories!
In relationships, what you give is what you get. 🔄
Getting to know someone starts with knowing how to ask really good questions!
Watch your connections deepen as you get curious and create space for intentional, authentic conversation. And remember, networking doesn’t have to be boring. 💥
To join any of our upcoming events where you can practice networking + make connections with other Deacs, check out the link in our bio or stories. 🎩
Hey 📍NYC Deacs! Join the Alumni Personal & Career Development Center on Tuesday, October 15th, from 6:30-8:30pm EST for this in-person conversation about challenges, successes, and strategies in making a successful pivot between roles, organizations, or even industries.
A panel of 🎩fellow Wake Forest alumni🎩 will share their stories and lessons learned, followed by a mini-workshop with tactical strategies, including identifying and marketing your transferable skills.
We’ll wrap with facilitated networking so that you can get focused feedback and guidance on your next steps.
Heavy appetizers and drinks will be served.
To register and see more details, visit the link in our bio or stories!
Wherever there are people, there are relationships to be built!
Networking does not have to be confined to designated, in-person events.
Get creative about how you want to build community. Consider places, events, and activities that interest you, and start there!
Put some intention behind how you show up as you continue building your network. 💛🎩
Looking for some unique network-building events? Check out the link in our stories to learn more about what we have coming up! 🗓️
#BuildYourNetwork #WFUAlumni #WakeNetwork #LinkedInConnections
🎩NEW DEACON SPOTLIGHT🎩
We recently caught up with Melissa Tuttle (BA 1992 in English, MBA 2002), Senior Director Store Operations at Lowe’s Home Improvement in Huntersville, NC. Melissa leads a team at Lowe’s corporate headquarters, overseeing business strategy and execution for the front-end operations of Lowe’s Home Improvement stores. This includes policy development, process improvements, technology requirements, and store layout and fixtures.
Here are a few fun facts about Melissa:
📖 Melissa’s favorite hobbies are cooking, reading non-fiction, travel, HIIT, and Pilates.
🌍 Her most cherished Wake Forest memory is when she traveled to Berlin, Germany on Reunification Day (October 3, 1990) with several WFU friends (including E. Ashley Hairston, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Advising!) during their semester at Casa Artom.
🍽️ Melissa’s most prized collection is her antique Fire King jadeite glass dishes and serve-ware!
We’ll leave you with some wisdom from Melissa:
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“If you’re considering pursuing an MBA or another graduate degree, gain a few years of work experience first. You’ll find it more meaningful and relevant.”
Read more of our Q&A with Melissa at the 🔗 in our profile.
Building relationships is for everyone!
Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, you prefer chatting one-on-one or you feel your best in a large group, it’s important to explore how to set yourself up for quality connections.
Strategize with these tips and tricks and think about how you can make networking work for you. 👊