Early Career
The first 5-10 years after college are a critical time for Wake Forest alumni to figure out how to show up at their first (and second or third) professional job, grow and cultivate their community and network, and intentionally plan for what comes next in their career.
Whether you’re just starting off in your first year after graduation or are a more seasoned young professional, here are the most common needs facing alumni in this career stage:
- Navigating the World of Work: During this career stage, early career professionals are learning how to build relationships with colleagues and their managers, figuring out workplace culture, and trying to understand what is expected of them at work. This is also the time for exploring work values, interests, and skills as they consider what comes next in their career path.
- Building Relationships and a Robust Network: Most young professionals are trying to figure out how to build relationships with their colleagues, other professionals in their current or desired industry, and mentors. In this stage of early career, our alumni know that developing a robust network of contacts is important for both personal learning and moving forward professionally.
- Planning for What’s Next: The first (or second) job after college is never the dream job. So how do you use each professional experience to learn, grow, and prepare for the next one? Planning for what comes next and knowing how to take action towards where you want to be is a critical skill to learn during the early career stage.
Resources for Early Career
Out of the Forest: Navigating the transition from Wake Forest senior to alumnus/a can feel overwhelming. That’s why several offices on campus combined efforts to create one central place for new Wake Forest grads and their families to get the information they need in preparation for Commencement and life after Wake. For current Wake Forest seniors who are preparing for their Year One, visit the Out of the Forest site for resources and upcoming events!
Year One: How do you make the most of your first year of college? The first year after college isn’t the only year that matters, but it is a decisive moment that either can be lost to a fog of new experiences and emotions, or an opportunity to embrace this new adult you, full of intention and compassion for yourself. For any Wake Forest alumni in the midst of their Year One, we hope you’ll check out our Post-College Starter Kit, the Year One book, online course, and more to support you in this first year post-grad!
Five For Your First Five: These are the five areas you need to master in your first five years after college, to take the steps that you need to take to build a career and a life of intentions and meaning. Learn how to show up and be a professional, seek out opportunities to grow your professional skillset, build effective relationships to support your growth and development, seek out feedback and navigate the impostor syndrome, create a plan to own what’s next. Check out the Five For Your First Five book, online course, young alumni mentoring groups, expert advice, and more!