In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Complete required Communication Studies courses and explore other programs of interest.
- Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Attend the Meet the Prof Night and get to know your professors.
- Live in the Film & Media Residence Learning Community to extend opportunities for learning and development beyond the classroom.
- Enhance your academic experience at Laurier through professional one-on-one, online and peer-to-peer resources available through Academic Advising and Support.
- Work with faculty members on grant-funded projects.
- Participate in experiential learning opportunities through simulated workplace projects in courses such as Alternative Media, Introduction to Creative Industries, and Technology and Society.
- Attend the Careers in Communications event.
- If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, talk with your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Learn about research and instructional assistantship opportunities in Communication Studies.
- Complete fourth-year advanced studies courses.
- If you’re applying to graduate school, sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop and book a further education application appointment.
As a Communication Studies student, you can:
- Join student clubs such as the Communications Students’ Association (CSA) or The Advertising Project (TAP) and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
- Act as a Communications Officer/Social Media or Marketing Executive for any Students' Union Club or directly for the Clubs & Associations Marketing Committee.
- Volunteer with Laurier Students' Public Interest Research Group (LSPIRG).
- Get involved with WLU Student Publications as a DJ on Radio Laurier, or as a writer/photographer for The Cord or the yearbook.
- Join professional associations such as the Canadian Communication Association, the Canadian Public Relations Society and the International Association of Business Communicators as a student member.
Outside of your program, there are many co-curricular opportunities for you to participate in.
- Check out the Experience Catalogue for a full list of co-curricular experiences that are currently offered across campus.
- Volunteer with the Students’ Union (e.g., Laurier Orientation, Hawk Walk, EcoHawks, Food Bank, Emergency Response Team, Shinerama).
- Volunteer on campus with the Accessible Learning, Global Engagement, Sustainability Office, Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, WLU Student Publications and more.
- Get involved in the local community by volunteering off campus.
- Apply for on-campus jobs:
- Check Navigator frequently for job postings or contact individual departments directly.
- Search for job opportunities on the Students’ Union website.
- If you meet eligibility criteria, apply for the Laurier Work Study Program or International Student Work Experience Program.
- Attend Job Fairs to network with employers.
- Explore ways to get involved in research.
- Look into StartUp Lab opportunities for support in launching a new venture.
Job/Volunteer Search Tips
- While on-campus opportunities are posted year-round, recruitment often starts early! Start looking in the winter term for opportunities in the following academic year.
- Have your resumé and LinkedIn profile reviewed by Career Centre staff for both on and off-campus opportunities.
- Laurier offers a variety of co-curricular certificates that you can complete during your studies. Earn certificates in topics including academic development, professional development, wellness, leadership and career development.
- Participate in workshops, programming and events offered by the Career Centre, Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support, Laurier Library, the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and more.
- Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils and House Council and the Leadership Certificate.
- Connect with Global Engagement to learn about international options available to you including opportunities abroad and language and culture sharing programs.
Design Your Degree
These are a few popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge. See undergraduate options, minors and courses for more information.
Develop Your Knowledge and Skills
As a Laurier student, you will develop the following competencies through your curricular and co-curricular experiences.
Competency Framework
Competencies are categories of transferrable skills that appear on your online Experience Record to help you reflect on what you've learned from your experiences. The competencies include:
- Adaptability and Resiliency
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Communication
- Creativity and Innovation
- Critical Thinking
- Digital Literacy
- Diversity and Intercultural Understanding
- Functional Knowledge
- Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Professional Attributes
- Self-Awareness
Functional Knowledge
You will develop functional knowledge in your program including:
- Investigate parallels, similarities and differences between contemporary media and previous communication technologies, and critique the development and use of media technology broadly, both historically and in the contemporary moment.
- Identify appropriate methodological approaches and successfully apply them to a research question in the field.
- Collect, understand, synthesize and apply appropriate theoretical and historical interdisciplinary research in the formulation and defense of convincing written, visual and oral arguments.
- Develop the ability to analyze, interpret and accurately convey information to groups or individuals.
- Thorough training in how to research, analyze and interpret communication and media in its social, economic, political, cultural and historical context.
- Gain marketable knowledge of communication and media technologies that can lead to careers in the arts, publishing, government, non-profit organizations, public relations or marketing, or further studies in communication, journalism, law or other areas.
Discover Career Options
All your experiences at Laurier can help you prepare for your future. Attend Career Centre events and workshops or book a career consulting appointment to explore career and further education options.
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137 Communications and Cultural Studies respondents from the 2024 Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by the Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation. Other includes those travelling, volunteering or out of the workforce. 4% of graduates were looking for employment when survey data collection ended.
Alumni Careers and Pathways
Sample Further Education Programs Within the First Year After Graduation
- Master’s Degree – Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, Cultural Analysis & Social Theory, Library Science
- College Program – Public Relations, Advertising, Sport & Event Marketing, Marketing Management, Human Resources, Project Management
- JD – Law
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- account executive
- business development specialist
- cloud enablement specialist
- community engagement coordinator
- creative director
- digital media specialist
- marketing coordinator
- senior communications analyst
- social media manager
Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation
- brand manager
- communication director
- digital marketing manager
- editor
- human resources manager
- senior media executive
- social media and partnership specialist
Career Options and Resources
Need some guidance on what you can do with your degree? Discover some career options and find resources to help guide you.
Career and Industry Options
- advertising/marketing
- arts/culture
- business/corporate communications
- digital media/social media
- event planning
- healthcare
- hospitality/tourism
- human resources
- journalism/media
- law/legal field
- politics
- public policy
- public relations
- research/market analysis
- student affairs
- writing/publishing
Your Experiences Tell Your Story
Share your story through your Laurier Experience Record. An interactive, shareable and official record of your hands-on experiences and learning opportunities at Laurier – the first of its kind in Canada!
Share Your Feedback
We'd love to hear from you. Complete the Laurier Experience Guide Feedback Survey to share your thoughts.