In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Join the International Education Studies Students Association (IESSA) and get to know your classmates and instructors through their calendar of social events, study sessions, guest speakers, and workshops.
- Sign up for the IESSA mentorship program to smooth your transition to university; gain academic and student life tips from a senior IES student.
- Participate in the fall networking event to meet faculty and fellow students.
- Make an appointment with your International Education Studies (IES) advisor to prepare for your second year, learn about IES placement opportunities, and discuss how to choose electives that support your career ambitions.
- Enhance your academic experience at Laurier through professional one-on-one, online, and peer-to-peer resources available through Academic Advising and Support.
- Attend speakers and special events hosted by Global Studies, the Faculty of Education, or other departments.
- Investigate the program pathway to Laurier's Bachelor of Education, and attend information sessions with the Career Centre about applying to BEd programs.
- Conduct your required IES placements, including your senior internationally-oriented placement in the spring term after third year.
- Consider taking a spring field course in Global Studies or elsewhere in the Faculty of Arts.
- Get involved with the executive committee of the IESSA and gain invaluable leadership experience by organizing events, serving on committees, and mentoring new students.
- Ask your professors about Research Assistantship roles including community-based initiatives in the Faculty of Education and watch your Laurier email for related opportunities.
- If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, talk with your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- In the fall term, prepare an application for Laurier's Bachelor of Education program or another BEd program in Ontario, other Canadian provinces, or overseas.
- Late in the fall term and early in the winter term, prepare an application to a master’s program such as the MA in Global Justice, Religion, and Culture or the Master in International Public Policy, both offered at Laurier.
- If you’re applying to graduate school, sign up in the fall term for a scholarship proposal writing workshop with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and book a further education application appointment at the Career Centre
As an International Education Studies student, you can:
- Volunteer to be an IES mentor, and be part of a team helping new members of your program transition to university.
- Attend events organized by the International Education Studies Student Association and other student clubs to strengthen bonds with your peers and de-stress from your studies.
- Apply to join the executive team of a student club or organization, such as the International Education Studies Student Association, Global Studies Student Association, WUSC, International Students Overcoming War, or Laurier Students' Public Interest Research Group (LSPIRG).
- Pitch a speaker idea to the International Education Studies Coordinator and then collaborate with faculty and peers to make it happen.
- Learn about what could come after your program is complete by attending Global Studies and IES alumni showcase events.
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
- Analyze historical and contemporary social, economic, and political issues that influence educational equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice in different contexts around the world.
- Develop self-awareness of your own perspectives, experiences, and intercultural competencies to support culturally sustaining and inclusive educational practices.
- Build foundational instructional skills in literacy and numeracy and understand how educational research informs evolving teaching practices.
- Demonstrate leadership by designing innovative approaches to educational practice, policy, and social change.
- Communicate clearly and effectively through written, visual, and oral formats for a variety of audiences and purposes.
- Collaborate effectively with others to solve problems, manage projects, and develop creative and innovative solutions.
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
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Other
18 International Education Studies respondents from the Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by the Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation. Other includes those who were travelling, volunteering or out of the workforce.
Alumni Careers and Pathways
Sample Further Education Programs Within the First Year After Graduation
- Bachelor’s Degree - Education
- Master’s Degree - Education, Teaching, International Public Policy, International Relations, Global Studies, Linguistics
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- after school program leader
- child and youth worker
- manager of children and youth programs
- program assistant, engineering outreach
- program director
- supply educator
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
*Please note further education and credentials may be necessary
- domestic or international teaching
- adult education
- education in emergencies
- educational policy
- English as a second language instruction
- international development
- international policy and global affairs
- immigration
- refugee settlement and support
- non-profit/advocacy
- student affairs
- equity, diversity and inclusion
- communications/public relations
- tourism
- journalism
- sustainability
- law/legal field
- research/market analysis
Career Resources
- MyWorldAbroad (log in with @mylaurier.ca email)
- Global Affairs Canada
- International Job Centre
Laurier Alumni Career Profiles
Learn about career paths of Laurier alumni.
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
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