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Summer Opportunities

by Betsy Chapman

In this Issue:

  • Summer Session registration opens March 17
  • Summer Session courses in Business
  • Summer jobs available with Admissions Office

Today’s Daily Deac is long-ish, but that is because I have several lengthy items to share. Read what is helpful to your family, and scroll past anything that does not apply 🙂

Summer Session registration opens March 17

I always like to mention Summer Session before Spring Break, because this might be a topic you and your Deac want to talk about if they come home (and if they are going to some fantastic Spring Break destination, you can talk about this whenever seems reasonable).

Summer Session registration opens in Workday on March 17. The Summer Session website has the full list of courses, important dates, and more.

I have long thought that Summer Session is a terrific option for students. Typically students might attend for any of the following reasons:

  • There is a particular class they want to take and want to be able to focus on that class solely, without all the other distractions of the full semester
  • Students want to be able to take less than 15 credits every spring and fall semester (making their course load a little more manageable) – or they have been below 15 credits per semester and need to catch up – so they take a summer session class to stay on track to graduate in 4 years
  • Incoming students in the Class of 2029 may want to take a class over the summer so they can ease in to college gently and get a preview of academics (and may also want to take only 12 credits in the fall per the bullet above).
  • A student retakes a class that they got a C- or below in, so that a hopefully better grade can be factored into their GPA
  • Student-athletes who are on campus during the summer to train for their course can gain credits (and allow them perhaps to have a lighter schedule when their sport is in season)

Whatever the reason, Summer Session can be a wonderful option for students. My encouragement to students considering Summer Session is to be mindful of the pace of the session: these courses cover in 5ish weeks what you normally cover in a full 15 week semester, so the pace is quick. Students might be best served taking a course in a subject they like and already have an aptitude for, as opposed to a course they know will be hard for them, given the pace of class.

Summer Session courses in Business

I have talked to some parents and families who have been asking about business classes for their students. There are three opportunities open this summer that might interest your Deacs:

Principles of Marketing (BEM 221 — 3 credits)  with Dean Kenny Herbst

Ready to dive into the fascinating world of marketing? This course is all about understanding what makes brands tick and how they connect with people. Through real-world case studies, you’ll explore how iconic brands like Barbie, Coca-Cola, Netflix, and Zoom are constantly adapting to stay ahead in the game.

Ever wondered why Pepsi took on Coke and won? Or how Netflix is rethinking its subscription model? You’ll get the inside scoop on how companies use creativity, strategy, and research to grab your attention and influence your buying decisions. You will also get a chance to see marketing in action with fun debates, role plays, and challenges that help you think like a marketer.

Whether it’s helping a brand launch a new product without losing its identity or figuring out how different media channels work together to boost sales (Avocados from Mexico), you’ll get the skills to make smart marketing decisions. Plus, you’ll explore what makes a brand memorable and how advertising can change how people see a company or product.

If you’re curious about how the world of marketing works behind the scenes, this course will give you a front-row seat to all the action. Whether you’re an aspiring marketer or just interested in understanding the forces behind your favorite brands, this course will spark your curiosity and give you the tools to think critically about the decisions companies make. It’s more than just ads — it’s about shaping culture, perceptions, and even the future!

Consumer Behavior (BEM 325 — 3 credits) with Dean Kenny Herbst:

Are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of why we buy the things we do? In this course, we’ll explore the unpredictable and sometimes irrational ways we make purchasing decisions. Through engaging business cases, thought-provoking discussions, and insights from Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely, you’ll get a deep look into the psychology of consumer behavior.

We’ll kick things off with a quirky product, the Clocky alarm clock – a gadget that literally makes you get out of bed to shut it off. But is it just a fun novelty or could it actually be a functional product? You’ll learn how the way we market things completely changes depending on who we target and how we position it. Do the 4 Ps (product, price, place, promotion) shift with different approaches? You will find out.

Next, we’ll tackle some big branding challenges. We will see how negative marketing can affect a brand’s image and loyalty. We will also discuss how influencers are shaping consumer decisions. Finally, we will ask whether brands should create separate marketing campaigns for different cultural groups.

By the end of this course, you’ll understand why we don’t always act as logical consumers and how marketers must adjust their strategies to keep up. It’s not just about buying things – it’s about understanding why we do it in the first place. Whether you’re interested in marketing, psychology, or just want to understand your own shopping habits, this course will provide you with a unique, eye-opening perspective!

Notes from Dean Herbst about these two courses:

  • The two courses have no prerequisites.
  • Both courses will be taught online, and both courses will be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions (so that students can take the courses from anywhere in the world…and so that students can take the course while engaged in sports training and/or while pursuing internships, jobs, etc.).

BUS 131. Personal Finance for Everyone. (3 h) with Professor Kyre Lahtinen

This course is designed to set students with no required previous financial knowledge on a path to a life of financial empowerment and freedom. The course covers financial planning, budgeting, credit cards, investing, income taxes, financial markets, insurance, purchasing a home or car, estate planning and many other critical financial issues.

The course emphasizes current relevant laws and regulations, construction of detailed models, and relevant research. Open to all Wake Forest students. Does not count toward a School of Business major or concentration. Online, synchronous.

Summer jobs available with Admissions Office

My friends in the Undergraduate Admissions Office wanted me to let families know that there are some summer jobs available to students who want to be on campus this summer.

These summer positions are for either or both summer sessions. Work days will be Monday through Friday, and both of these positions are primarily giving tours. There are two separate positions they are hiring for:

Students can contact Jeremy Shearer with any questions.

Hope these opportunities might be useful to your Deacs!

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