In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Take required History and/or Ancient Studies courses and explore other programs of interest.
- Explore options and minors in History and Ancient Studies, including the new History Teaching specialization and the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Science minor.
- Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Live in the History Teaching 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.
- Complete a course with a community service-learning component.
- Consider enroling in Digital Humanities courses to complete the Digital Humanities option or Certificate in Generative AI. In the Digital Humanities option, you'll learn to use programs and apps to carry out research, create and edit documentary films, publish open-source texts, build websites, and explore artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT.
- If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, talk with your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Visit the Laurier Centre for the Study of Canada (LCSC).
- Learn about Research Assistantship and Instructional Assistantship opportunities in History or Ancient Studies.
- Attend the Tri-University Graduate Conference.
- Enrol in the capstone seminar experience (required for all Honours History students). In these seminars, you will conduct intensive study of assigned readings, engage in weekly discussions and write reflective papers, followed by an intensive research project to be presented to fellow students for critique. The top papers from these capstone seminars will compete for a chance to be published in Minerva: Laurier Undergraduate History journal.
- If you’re applying to graduate school, sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop and book a further education application appointment.
As a History and Ancient Studies student, you can:
- Join student clubs such as the History Students' Association, WLU HistoMed, or Laurier Pre-Law Society and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
- Volunteer at a local school or look for opportunities with local museums, libraries or the Waterloo Historical Society.
- Volunteer or attend public lectures at the Laurier Centre for the Study of Canada (LCSC).
- Be a part of the Library Council or Student Advisory Group or a student representative on the department council.
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
- Research and analyze past and present events, forecast possible future trends, and produce well-researched material.
- Understand, interpret and apply diverse historical and cultural perspectives to a situation.
- Identify precedents for policy development, decision making and strategic planning.
- Research and identify the basis and development of artistic and literary styles.
- Acquire skills to assess the accuracy of historical information, culture and context, and provide direction and input on the development and use of historical reference and materials.
- Examine the historical/cultural roots of modern social institutions and gain an understanding of how philosophy, culture, history and the context of a time influence present and future culture, society, community relationships and social/political development.
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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39 History and Ancient 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. 5% 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 - History, Library and Information Science, Museum Studies, Public and International Affairs
- College Programs - Film and Multiplatform Storytelling
- Bachelor’s Degree – Education
- JD - Law
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- archaeology field technician
- bank officer
- historic interpreter
- English second language instructor
- municipal customer service representative
- procurement office staff
- residence conduct student coordinator
Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation
- campus and talent operations specialist
- director of business innovation
- historical interpreter
- lawyer
- media intelligence consultant
- policy analyst
- project archivist
- teacher
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
- archaeology
- business/corporate development
- communications
- cultural heritage/tourism
- finance/insurance
- education/teaching
- human resources
- government
- journalism/media
- languages/translation
- law/legal field
- library/archives/museum
- non-profit/advocacy
- politics
- project management
- public policy
- public relations
- research/market analysis
- 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.