Career Services

Wake Forest students attend a career fair put on by the Office of Personal and Career Development.

Preparing students for success

Wake Forest’s Office of Personal and Career Development is recognized nationally for a number of reasons. Let’s take a look at how we achieved this honor.

It starts on day one.

Most of us need a job, and Wake Forest will help you achieve that—but also much more: We’ll help you find a context in which you may do your best work.

Wake Forest University’s Office of Personal and Career Development (OPCD) equips students with the tools and confidence to navigate the often daunting path from college to career. And our unique approach yields results.

Early and intentional engagement: that’s the philosophy of the OPCD—and Wake Forest as a whole. Get ready to be inspired, challenged, and prepared for your future by engaging with the OPCD team from day one.

We’re a national leader for a reason.

The Office of Personal and Career Development is among the top collegiate career centers in the country. Here’s a sample of how and why:

Career coaches are assigned to work with students based on student majors, not academic class.
Staffers are available at least 20 hours per week to provide input on resumes, Linkedin profiles, cover letters and social media posts.
Staffers conduct seminars on everything from salary negotiation to dining etiquette.
The support system includes funding for interview-related travel and clothing expenses for students who have financial need.
The engagement process starts when a student arrives, and it includes action plans for every stage of an undergraduate career.

Wake Forest students attend a career fair put on by the Office of Personal and Career Development in the Sutton Center.

Here are some additional accolades that we’re also pretty proud of.

More than 200 other institutions have visited Wake Forest or reached out in other ways to learn how the Office of Personal and Career Development excels.
For nine consecutive years, at least 97% of students in each graduating class were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.* Additionally, we’re one of very few top national universities to offer five college-to-career courses for credit.
Wake Forest was presented with the National Career Development Association’s Exemplary Center Program Award in 2020.

* Of known outcomes

Get to Know Us

The Office of Personal and Career Development, or OPCD, is a central resource for students at all stages, from undecided first-years to graduating seniors and graduate students. The office emphasizes its commitment to helping students explore their paths, possibilities, and opportunities to become career and life-ready.

Visit the OPCD

A different kind of approach.

OPCD Vice President Andy Chan gives his remarks during Orientation.

Because of the OPCD’s holistic approach to career education, innovative and engaging programming, personal career guidance, and responsive alumni and parent network, premier employers and graduate schools have high regard for Wake Forest students. Employers represent a wide range of industry sectors and recruit Wake Forest students from all types of backgrounds and majors.

The OPCD-developed Ready7, a step-by-step process for students, which gives students a clear set of accomplishable actions and competencies to be prepared, confident and ready for career and life. Students engage with employers through hundreds of experiences, including career fairs, employer information sessions, and networking events.

Every Wake Forest student—from every major—has access to and utilizes our nationally recognized, industry-leading team. Our doors are open and available throughout a student’s time at Wake Forest, and, after graduating, students will continue to be supported through their careers after college by the nationally acclaimed Alumni Personal and Career Development Center.