In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Take Sociology courses and explore other programs of interest.
- Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Attend Meet the Prof events.
- Enhance your academic experience at Laurier through professional one-on-one, online and peer-to-peer resources available through Academic Advising and Support.
- Consider the specialization in Applied Social Research and develop advanced research methods and data analysis skills.
- Ensure you are taking all the program prerequisites in theory and research methods.
- Enrol in courses with a community service-learning component to gain experience outside the classroom.
- 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 Sociology.
- Join the Canadian Sociology Association (CSA) as a student member.
- If you’re applying to graduate school, sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop and book a further education application appointment.
As a Sociology student, you can:
- Join student clubs such as the Laurier Sociology Students’ Association and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
- Apply for undergraduate instructional assistant positions.
- Broaden your horizons with global engagement programming.
- In your second year, participate in Camp Sociology and spend a fall weekend away connecting with other Sociology majors and faculty members and learning about yourself, nature, and what you can do with your Sociology degree.
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:
- An understanding of how society is created, maintained and changed, and of what the implications of social structures and social change are for people.
- Knowledge of critical social scientific research skills and the concepts of equity and social justice issues.
- Knowledge of the components of sociological theory and the skills to apply this knowledge.
- Conduct, explain and interpret sociological and information research clearly and apply this information to changing situations.
- Knowledge of various governmental, community and social institutions and their roles, and the ability to provide information and direction to assist in making informed decisions in these areas.
- An increased awareness of contemporary social justice and equity issues in both Canadian and global society and along with the skills to evaluate social policy and contribute to social change.
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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77 Sociology 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.
Alumni Careers and Pathways
Sample Further Education Programs Within the First Year After Graduation
- Master’s Degree - Sociology, Urban Planning, Applied Politics, Cultural Analysis and Social Theory, Global Justice, Religion and Culture, Counselling Psychology
- College Program - Human Resources
- Bachelor’s Degree - Education
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- account executive
- digital marketing assistant
- instructor therapist
- junior compensation advisor
- logistics operations specialist
- policy support officer
- project manager
- research analyst
Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation
- behaviour therapist
- content development manager
- disability case manager
- human resources manager
- program coordinator
- psychotherapist
- quality and compliance coordinator
- senior marketing manager
- social planning and policy analyst
- workplace learning solutions 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
- communications/public relations
- criminal justice
- economic development
- education/teaching
- equity, diversity and inclusion
- event planning
- healthcare/rehabilitation
- human resources
- journalism/media
- law/legal field
- negotiation and dispute resolution
- non-profit/advocacy
- research/market analysis
- social policy
- social work/counselling
- student affairs
- urban planning/development
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.