In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Take Film Studies courses to develop your knowledge of the history of film, film theory, modes of film practice, styles and genres, while also exploring other programs of interest.
- Meet with your academic advisor for details about the Vancouver Film School Pathway Program.
- Attend the Fall Meet the Profs event and get to know your professors.
- Live in the Film and Media Residence Learning Community to extend opportunities for learning and development beyond the classroom.
- Attend the Undergraduate Film Symposium.
- Enhance your academic experience at Laurier through professional one-on-one, online and peer-to-peer resources available through Academic Advising and Support.
- Explore a wide range of courses including film history, theory and criticism, national cinemas, and genre. Gain industry experience through courses on the business of film and film production courses in screenwriting and directing, video editing, and 3-D animation.
- Consider the opportunity to attend the Vancouver Film School Pathway in your third year.
- If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, talk with your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Submit your work to Film Matters, a magazine for undergraduate film scholars.
- Attend the Society for Cinema and Media Studies undergraduate conference.
- Present at the Undergraduate Film Symposium.
- Consider the directed study or grad course option for fourth year.
- If you’re applying to graduate school, sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop and book a further education application appointment.
As a Film Studies student, you can:
- Join student clubs such as the Film Society, Arts Undergraduate Society, Filmmakers of Laurier, and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
- Participate in the English and Film Studies Symposium.
- Join The Cord editorial staff and write film and arts reviews.
- Share your music taste as a DJ on Radio Laurier.
- Be a student representative on the Film Studies Advisory Group.
- Look for volunteer cast and crew opportunities on local productions.
- Get involved and volunteer with the Grand River Film Festival.
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
The functional knowledge you will develop in your program will help you:
- Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the history of film, modes of film practice, film styles, genres, and national cinemas.
- Acquire an understanding of key methods of critical analysis and film theory, and a critical vocabulary with which to discuss and write about film.
- Develop an appreciation of the relationship of film style to modes of production.
- Engage in a collective critical dialogue around issues in film studies in Canada and globally.
- Acquire enhanced cultural literacy in order to navigate a complex media landscape.
- Develop an understanding of the prominent role visual media play in our experience of the world today in one of the top film programs in Canada.
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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Pursuing Further Education
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Employed
33 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. 12% 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 – English and Film Studies, Information
- College Programs – Cinematography, Aesthetician, Addictions and Mental Health
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- box office manager
- loan underwriter
- media assistant
- personal banking associate
- production assistant
- radio station manager
- technical director
Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation
- associate producer
- content strategist
- events and exhibition coordinator
- influencer marketing associate
- post-production coordinator
- radio broadcaster
- special effects technician
- sports reporter
- videographer
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
- communications/public relations
- cultural heritage/tourism
- digital media/social media
- education
- entertainment/media
- entrepreneurship
- event planning
- film production
- government
- journalism
- library/archives/museum
- publishing
- radio
- research/market analysis
- screen writing
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.