In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Take required History courses and explore other programs of interest through electives.
- Attend the annual 'People Make History' lecture series in which students can meet witnesses of major historical events.
- Attend the Academic, Creative and Engaged Research Showcase (ACERS) and participate in the History Colloquium.
- Meet with your faculty mentor.
- Enhance your academic experience at Laurier through professional one-on-one, online and peer-to-peer resources available through Academic Advising and Support.
- Explore courses in related areas of study and begin thinking about a minor or an option to complement your degree.
- Consider taking courses to complete the Public History specialization which provides you with an experiential learning opportunity through a community service-learning placement at a local heritage site, archive or museum.
- Consider traveling abroad on one of History's international study tours.
- Enrol in a community service-learning course to engage with a local heritage site, archive or museum.
- 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 History. Professors teaching in the History program have research specializations in Canadian, American, British, modern European, Asian, and Indigenous history, as well as Archaeology.
- Produce original research in the Reading and Research seminars.
- Present your work at the History Colloquium during the Academic, Creative and Engaged Research Showcase (ACERS).
- 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 (Brantford) student, you can:
- Join student clubs such as the History Students' Association or the Faculty of Liberal Arts Student Society (FLASS) and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
- Volunteer at a local school or look for opportunities with local heritage sites, museums or libraries such as the Brant Historical Society.
- Be a student representative on the Faculty of Liberal Arts divisional council.
- Attend educational, career, and social events organized by the History program.
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, compile and apply diverse historical and cultural perspectives to real-life situations and modern life.
- Gather, synthesize and analyze historical and contemporary information.
- Identify precedents for policy development, decision making and strategic planning.
- Interpret and compare historical and contemporary information such as demographics.
- Authenticate materials, information and data using research for the purpose of ensuring accuracy and integrity.
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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82 Faculty of Liberal Arts 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. 9% 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, Women and Gender History, Library and Information Science, Museum Studies
- College Program - Museum and Gallery Studies
- Bachelor’s Degree - Education
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- human resources assistant
- legal intake coordinator
- private high school teacher
- project coordinator
- supervisor, residential living
Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation
- content writer
- cultural resources management archaeologist
- curriculum assistant
- heritage book consultant
- history teacher
- lawyer
- records and information analyst
- student life and experience coordinator
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
- education/teaching
- finance/insurance
- historical education
- human resources
- government
- languages/translation
- law/legal field
- library/archives/museum
- media/social media
- non-profit/advocacy
- politics
- project management
- public policy
- public relations
- research/market analysis
- writing/publishing/journalism
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.