Deacon Spotlight: Katherine Waters

Katherine Waters (2020, BA in English, Minor in Journalism)

Magazine Editor at Wake Forest Magazine, Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC

Tell us about your current job role and employer. What are you currently working on?

I am a magazine editor here at Wake Forest! We produce Wake Forest Magazine, which connects alumni, faculty, staff, parents and students and shares stories about ways we live out Pro Humanitate. We’re currently working on the spring issue, which you’ll find on an alumni coffee table near you by March. My role includes writing and editing and managing the behind-the-scenes of our website, social media accounts and budget. It is so fun to work at our alma mater!

What key personal and/or career experiences led you to where you are today?

Mentoring! The mentoring relationships I have built as a Wake Forest student, Fellow and University Advancement employee have given me tools for self-reflection that have guided each step of my path. Conversations with mentors have helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses and clarify my priorities. Many of my mentors have also served as a “sponsor,” meaning that they have recommended me for a role. I would not be where I am without them!

What advice would you give to Wake Forest graduates about developing their personal life habits after college (finances, health, values, work/life balance)?

Try your best to build relationships with friends your age and also with people who are older than you. Seek wisdom from trusted friends and mentors about these important areas outside of work — finances, work/life balance, health. It can definitely take time to build your community, so don’t give up! But remember that prioritizing relationship-building will help you in all these other areas.
Also — financially — you will be thankful if you start saving what you can right now. Ask yourself: is this purchase really adding value to my life, or am I just purchasing this because social media tells me it will make me happy?

We know that relationships are important for any kind of development. How do you build and maintain your network?

I build and maintain my network by saying “yes” where I can in both personal and professional opportunities. (As an added bonus, having meaningful interactions brings me fulfillment and a mood boost.) When meeting new people, be quick to listen, and ask good questions. It helps me to think of a few questions beforehand that I want to ask a new person, even in my personal life. Kindness and genuine interest is memorable.

What advice would you give to current Wake Forest students and/or young alumni who are interested in working in your industry?

Build your writing portfolio. You can often collect writing clips and experiences right where you are, whether that means freelancing for a local magazine or business, writing a blog, or taking a class. This will help future employers see your writing, and it will also give you varied experiences to discuss in an interview.

Also, if you’re a student, take the fun and unique classes that scare you a little bit! I wish that I would have more bravely taken classes that were outside my comfort zone. My current role even benefits from understanding a variety of subjects.

Story published in October 2025. For current updates about Katherine, visit her LinkedIn profile.