Wake Forest alumni on careers, majors, and figuring it all out

The word ‘undecided’ took on a new meaning for me when I marked that box under the intended major section on my college applications. “What’s your major?” and “Any idea what you want to do?” became dreaded questions as I began my freshman year. Everyone always follows-up with “you have time to figure it out, that’s what college is for,” but a year of school later, undecided is still my only answer.

All the encouragement and advice, solicited or not, mostly from my parents or someone else’s, has kept me positive that everyone figures it out, so I will too. But what does that look like and how do people do it? I wanted to really know what it was like for those who have been more in my shoes (or at my school) and who have done it.

So, I asked recent Wake Forest University graduates about their career experiences post-grad and what they had to say about it.

Robert Haining (Class of 2004; Computer Science and Mathematics Majors)

What are you doing for work now and how did you get the job?

I am a software engineer at PayPal. Prior to this, I was working at a startup called Modest, which got acquired by PayPal last summer. I found out about the Modest job through a coworker, who I worked with at Condé Nast. I was recruited for Condé Nast through my boss who I worked with at Cox Newspapers, and who hired me as an intern a few months after I graduated from college. I was introduced to the internship through a family friend.

When and how did you figure out what you wanted to do?

I was interested in computers in high school, and eventually got into programming through some friends, and through a class at my high school. I came into WFU knowing I wanted to study Computer Science. My mentor Dr. Fulp and former WFU professor Dr. Hemler helped me know for sure it was the right decision.

Do you have any advice for undergrads who don’t know their major or career path yet?

Your networks and connections matter on top of how smart you are and what you can do! Also, internships are a great way to show experience in the business world, on top of whatever academic program or research you’ve been involved in.

While it may seem like your major is your career path for life, it is just a stepping stone. While I am professionally employed in a career path related to my major, I know plenty of folks who are not. Take the time at Wake to explore all that the liberal arts education has to offer. I know friends from Wake who majored in Computer Science and are now deep into the finance industry – or friends who studied English or Philosophy and now have jobs as engineers!

While I majored in Computer Science, I also studied political philosophy, took classes in photography, studied abroad in Venice, and learned how to write well! Apart from that, unless you are interested in a career in the field, or are especially passionate about the subject, don’t worry about minors.

Lauren Bienemann (Class of 2006; History Major and Economics Minor)

What do you do for work now and how did you get the job?

I am a Defined Contribution Client Advisor at JPMorgan Institutional Asset Management. I was recruited by JPMorgan after another Wake Forest student passed along my resume.

How did you figure out what you wanted to do?

The beginning years of my career were focused on exploring what interested me. I did not develop a passion for my job until I became more focused on Defined Contribution.

Any advice for undecided undergrads?

It’s OK not to know your life’s ambition at 22-I certainly didn’t. Only experience in the working world will give you a greater understanding of the path you want to take. In the interim, talk to people in the fields you are interested in, research as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to be inquisitive.

AJ Broderick (Class of 2003; Communication Major)

J.J. Colao (Class of 2009; Political Science Major and English Minor)

What do you do for work now?

I’m the founder and owner of a public relations firm called Haymaker. We work with tech companies like Grubhub, WayUp, and SeatGeek to help them manage their press strategies. Translation: anytime you see one of our clients in the media, we were likely the ones who helped arrange it.

How did you figure out what you wanted to do and get where you are now?

My path after graduation was pretty haphazard. The summer after I graduated, I taught reading classes through a private company around my home area in New Jersey. Then I left to backpack around Asia for 6 months and came back the following spring to try and begin my career. I thought I’d end up in D.C. working on the Hill or at a think-tank, but I ended up starting a web-based company with another classmate and friend.

That startup lasted about a year before I quit. It folded for good about three months later. After that, I very luckily ended up at Forbes magazine as a reporter, covering entrepreneurs, startups, venture capital and tech. I wrote about 30 magazine stories, 200 blog posts, and did a couple dozen video interviews. My claim to fame was a 2014 cover story on Snapchat for our 30 Under 30 package.

I enjoyed journalism, but really wanted to do another company on my own, and hopefully have some success this time. I quit Forbes in May of 2014 and started Haymaker. It was absolutely the right call, and I feel like I’m very much on the right path career-wise for the first time.

Do you have advice for undergrads who don’t know their major or career path yet?

Finding the right career path takes acts of courage. If you constantly look for more money or more prestige, and constantly put off avoiding the short-term sacrifice that’s needed to find the job you love, you’ll end up looking back and regretting it.

Also, networking is highly underrated and even smart people never learn how to do it correctly. Never be afraid to reach out to people for lunch, coffee or a drink and earnestly pick their brain. Most people are happy to help out bright young professionals as long as they’re well-intentioned and respectful.

India Diaz (Class of 2008; Communication Major, Spanish and Dance Minors)

What are you doing for work now and how did you get there?

I work in on-air talent recruitment and development for a major news network. I’m on the team responsible for placing anchors, correspondents and contributors on our network, scouting talent, taking pitches from agents and developing our internal on-air talent. Prior to this, I worked at agencies representing broadcast news, sports and weather talent, which is how I got my current job. In my previous role, I developed a professional relationship with the talent executives at my current job from constantly pitching to them and coordinating talent meetings with them. When there was an open position in the department I made the jump to the network from the agency.

When and how did you figure out what you wanted to do? 

I didn’t figure out exactly that I wanted to work in on-air talent development until my first job. After graduating with my master’s degree in Journalism from UMD, a headhunter led me to an assistant position at one of the major broadcast news talent agencies. After learning the business, I knew broadcast talent representation, development and recruitment was for me. It was, and still is, the perfect mixture of my education, experiences and dreams rolled into one.

Do you have any advice for undergrads who don’t know their major or career path yet?

My advice is to be open to new opportunities and taking small steps that can lead to something larger. I never thought a headhunter would find me in the countless resumes posted on Monster.com. I also never thought that beginning my career as an assistant would lead me to where I am today, but in hindsight, every step in my career was perfect for what lay ahead.

Candrice R. Heath (Class of 2000; Health and Exercise Science Major)

What are you doing for work now and how did you get the job?

I am a pediatrician and dermatologist. Between my pediatric training and dermatology training, I conducted dermatology clinical research and worked as a pediatrician. Currently, I am at Johns Hopkins University completing a special post-residency fellowship in Pediatric Dermatology.  This fellowship combines my two interests, skin and children, and gives me the opportunity to take care of children with complex skin disorders. I also love caring for every member of the family from age 1 to 104. This summer, I will be re-locating to Delaware to join a private dermatology practice to care for children and adults.

When and how did you figure out what you wanted to do? 

My older sister was born with a green birthmark on one side of her face called, Nevus of Ota. Growing up, we went to the dermatologist seeking treatments. At that time, there were no treatments available. However, I recognized that the dermatologist practiced a different type of medicine.

Patients with high cholesterol and high blood pressure cannot physically see the plaque build-up in their arteries that is taking a toll on their hearts. They must trust their doctors to provide the right treatments. Patients with dermatologic diseases, can see when things are getting better and when things are not. Often, it makes patients more committed to treatment…Some of my best interactions are with patients who have skin diseases that suggest an internal disease process. Because they saw something on the skin with their eyes, I can send them to their primary care physician for life-preserving treatments. And…. it was all because they saw a change in their skin!

Do you have any advice for undergrads who don’t know their major or career path yet?

WFU is a liberal arts university. It is an awesome place for students who may not know what they want to do. Take courses you enjoy. Challenge yourself. Choose a major with which you can create dependable opportunities for self-sustaining income. Yes, your parents told me to say that!

Wake Forest provides a great educational foundation, from which it is easy to depart and seek masters degrees, doctorate degrees and other levels of higher education. Shoot for the stars! Find something you are passionate about and you will never work another day in your life because you will be doing something you enjoy. It may take a major sacrifice of time, effort and talent, but trust me, it will be worth it in the end.

Kelly Perry (Class of 2000; Biology Major)

What do you do for work now and how did you figure out what you wanted to do?

I am a lawyer for a large analytics software company. I decided to go to law school based on the advice of a WFU Chem Professor.

Any advice?

Work!  Do as many part time jobs and internships as you can, in a wide variety of fields.  Ask everyone you know if you can shadow them for a day.  You will be surprised how many people say yes and how this might shape your ideas about the future. Even today, I meet people who have cool jobs and I wish I had known that those were options when I was a student.

Don’t be in a rush. There will be plenty of time for responsibility.  Especially if you are considering grad school, take some time off first.  See the world.  Have some adventures.  It will make you more successful in the long run.