As the university continues to build on its liberal arts foundation, the administration is also working to promote a college education as the ultimate segue into the professional world. The establishment of Wake West, a study-away and internship program in San Francisco, Calif. that began this semester, is emblematic of this effort (turn to page 1 for more information). The Editorial Board of the Old Gold & Black supports the university in further expanding its understanding of the relationship between education and the pursuit of a career.
Wake West offers students a total of 12 credits, which include an internship at a Bay Area company and a related research project. This program mirrors Wake Washington, which started in 2017 and offers a similar opportunity for students in D.C.
These programs are stark examples of higher education moving away from traditional classroom settings and moving towards hands-on experience. Although multiple majors in the Wake Forest School of Business require students to complete internships, liberal arts and STEM majors can also greatly benefit from gaining this experience as a part of their educational and professional path. The Editorial Board of the Old Gold & Black commends the university for recognizing this and providing programs like Wake West and Wake Washington.
Wake West introduces the possibility for students to learn more about careers in … innovation.”
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While Wake Washington, for example, gives students the opportunity to explore careers in politics, Wake West introduces the possibility for students to learn more about careers in high technology and innovation. There is no better place for students to learn more about this field than California.
As the university continues to invest in STEM programs and the entrepreneurship curriculum, the formation of the Wake West program is a logical next step in offering students an opportunity to pursue careers at influential tech companies. This program fills a void that the university has not done a in the Office of Personal Career Development (OPCD) or in academic curriculum.
Although thinking of the future will always be daunting for college students, offering programs like Wake West and Wake Washington work to bridge the gap between the on campus bubble and the real world — which is ultimately integral to the university’s growth as an institution.
