Wake Forest SPS Career Resources: Amplifying Careers Outside the Classrom

Academic achievement is an important first step in advancing your career, but it’s not the only step. To excel professionally, you also need to forge relationships, keep tabs on your industry, and continually refine your skills. Deacs get help with all three for life through Wake Forest School of Professional Studies (SPS).

Wake Forest SPS is a lifelong resource for working professionals complete with continuous learning, professional development, career coaching, and networking opportunities—all of which are available to you during and after your studies. Here is a look at how SPS continues to support your career development.

Career Coaching: Grow with Professional Guidance and Mentorship

Personal career coaches provide sage advice to help you navigate your career, whether you’re embarking on a new track or facing a crossroads. This complimentary service is available through Wake Forest SPS’s partner Career Maven Consulting, founded by Tiffany Tate, a Wake Forest alum. It’s a compelling resource for anyone looking to break through in their career and step up as an executive.

Tiffany describes the coaching philosophy of Career Maven Consulting as a strategic partnership: “Our clients bring goals and context. We bring proven frameworks, human-centered candor, and actionable insights.”

What does career coaching look like? Each session is personalized to you and any challenges you see in the road ahead, with the dialogue culminating in actionable steps you can take today. Your career is your chance to shine, but only you will know what that looks like. The right coach brings it out in you. Even among successful professionals, no one does it alone.

“My ultimate goal when working with SPS students is to develop a process to attain their career goals,” said A.J. Simmons, a Career Maven coach. “That starts with each student being heard and understood in a safe, welcome space. I provide resources

and tools that they find useful and outline practical strategies that will advance their career pursuits.”

Wake360: Expand Your Network with a Weekend Retreat

The truth is that it’s not always about what you know—it’s who you know. Friends, acquaintances, and former colleagues can open doors for you as you progress through your career. Invest in these connections early. You’ll be surprised how much they pay off later.

“Relationships are key,” said Ana Clara Blesso, a Career Maven coach. “Network at every turn, and support others as you wish they’d support you. Networking is a two-way street.”

There are many such opportunities through Wake Forest SPS, and a major one is Wake360. This is an annual immersive weekend experience in Charlotte dedicated to boosting your career trajectory, nurturing connections, and growing as a professional. Exclusive to the Wake Forest SPS community, the event features live speakers, group workshops, and optional coaching sessions.

Wake360 engages you deeply with thought-provoking exercises, so you leave with business experience you can utilize to further your career. 

SPSConnect: Hear Directly from Industry Experts

Continuing education is essential to staying agile in your career. Keeping tabs on what happens in your industry and broader trends can help you notice and seize opportunities as they arise.

Our SPSConnect series brings you conversations from industry leaders, so you can learn from the best. These discussions introduce you to subject matter experts with an eye toward supporting your growth. Students and alumni can watch recordings on the Wake Forest SPS YouTube channel.

The next SPSConnect event, “Impact by Design: Building a Career of Meaning”, will be held on December 3, 2025 via Zoom. Learn more. 

The Pearl Cafe: Stay Plugged into Career Resources 

Sometimes, you can benefit from resources on the fly. The Career Resource Hub within The Pearl Cafe collects tools for SPS students and alumni to access whenever they choose.

Access all of the following: 

• Potential career paths
• Continuing learning opportunities
• Professional development webinars
• Networking events
• Career tips and advice
• Career coaching

Log on through Canvas and explore. The Pearl Cafe has something for every career. 

SPS LinkedIn Community: Join the Conversation 

Today, networking is more than coffee and nametags. You can participate in digital communities anytime. Wake Forest SPS has its own LinkedIn community with hundreds of members. This private space allows students, alumni, professors, and staff the chance to stay engaged and help each other’s careers. 

Here, you can get to know others in the Wake Forest SPS network, share job postings, and discuss upcoming events. This community is an excellent avenue for nurturing the right resources for your career.

When you enroll in a Wake Forest SPS program, you receive more than a top-notch education; you enjoy comprehensive support over the course of your career. Contact us for more information.