In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Take Human Rights courses and explore other programs of interest through electives.
- Enhance your academic experience at Laurier through professional one-on-one, online and peer-to-peer resources available through Academic Advising and Support.
- Take the Leadership Foundations course and meet with Academic Advising to select appropriate second-year courses if you are interested in completing one of Conestoga’s graduate certificate programs (Human Resources Management or Management in Community Services) as part of your Laurier degree.
- Explore courses in related areas of study and begin pursuing a specialization, minor or an option to complement your degree.
- Take courses in social media, professional fundraising and public policy to gain professional skills.
- Attend Academic, Creative and Engaged Research Showcase (ACERS) events.
- Take Organizational Leadership and Introduction to Social Science Research Methods courses if you are interested in completing one of Conestoga College's graduate certificates or if you plan to take the Project Management course in your fourth year.
- Apply in third year to complete a one day/week internship for course credit in your third or fourth year.
- Consult the HRHD Program Coordinator for domestic and international internship opportunities for third and fourth year.
- Study abroad for an academic term in your third year. Consult with the HRHD Program Coordinator.
- If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, talk with your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Present your work at the Academic, Creative and Engaged Research Showcase (ACERS).
- Consider taking the Project Management certification exam after taking the Project Management course.
- If you’re applying to graduate school, sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop and book a further education application appointment.
As a Human Rights student, you can:
- Join student clubs such as the Brantford Moot Club or the Faculty of Liberal Arts Student Society (FLASS) and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
- Follow Human Rights @LBHRHD on X (formerly Twitter) to keep up with human rights issues in the news.
- Join the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA) as a student member.
- Look for opportunities to build your skills on various social media platforms and Microsoft Office.
- Consider participating in Youth Leaders on Board, which places student members on the board of directors of non-profits in Brantford, Brant and surrounding communities that are looking for a youth perspective.
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 current events and world issues through a human rights lens.
- Gain an understanding of the historical development of cultural diversity and multiculturalism policies in Canada.
- Develop an awareness of civil and political rights and the institutions that protect them.
- Understand and examine the philosophy behind human rights principles, human rights within Canada and their impact on public policy.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the United Nations as an institution of global governance over contemporary issues and how cultural practices interact with international human rights.
- Combine theory and research to identify root causes of human rights issues.
- Gain experience with policy analysis papers, grant writing, précis writing, reading legal documents and preparing literature reviews.
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
- JD - Law
- Master’s Degree - Women and Gender History, Social Justice and Community Engagement
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- alternative care resource manager
- communication director
- community engagement and communication officer
- fundraising coordinator
- Gladue report writer
- legal assistant
- policy specialist
- talent acquisition business partner
Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation
- development officer
- global learning administrative coordinator
- human resources coordinator
- lawyer
- marketing manager
- philanthropic operations manager
- policy analyst
- strategic planning officer
- support counsellor
- 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
- counselling/social work
- diplomacy/international relations
- diversity and inclusion
- education/teaching
- employment equity
- fundraising
- government
- human resources
- humanitarian aid
- immigration
- journalism/media
- law/legal field
- mediation
- non-profit/advocacy
- public policy
- refugee settlement and support
- social justice
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.