In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Take Introduction to Indigenous Studies and other first year courses like Indigenous Peoples and Media, while exploring other programs of interest. Combine Indigenous Studies with programs like Law and Society, Youth and Children’s Studies or Human Rights to bring the perspectives and experiences of Indigenous Peoples into 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.
- Take courses with a community service-learning component.
- There are opportunities to reflexively engage reciprocity and learn from local Indigenous Knowledge Holders. The Brantford campus is located near Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation.
- Share your knowledge of the perspectives and experiences of Indigenous Peoples with your peers.
- Thinking about applying to graduate school? Chat with your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Learn about Research Assistantship opportunities in Indigenous Studies. Faculty members have expertise in Indigenous community-based research, arts-based methodology, 2LGBTQQIA+ and women, and language and cultural preservation.
- Gain workplace experience through an internship course.
- Applying to graduate school? Sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop and book a further education application appointment.
- Join student clubs and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
- Engage with the Indigenous Students Association.
- Indigenous students can connect with the Indigenous Student Centre, a hub for social and community connections.
- The Circle Room, featuring art from Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee artists, is used for small classes, program meetings and serves as a gathering place for students in the program.
- Participate as an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenization (EDI&I) Coalition Member
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
- Gain a contextualized understanding of Indigenous perspectives and worldviews as well as authentic histories and experiences of sovereign nations in Canada and around the world.
- Understand the complex issues of Indigenous identity, self-governance and governmental policy implementation which includes land, labour and the economy.
- Develop an appreciation for the vibrancy of Haudenosaunee culture from a Haudenosaunee perspective.
- Gain research design skills by respectfully engaging with Indigenous research theories and methods.
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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Faculty of Liberal Arts respondents from the 2023 Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by the Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation.
Alumni Career and Pathways
Sample Further Education Programs Within the First Year After Graduation
- Master’s Degree - Social Justice and Community Engagement, Social Work
- College Program - Community and Social Services Management, Paralegal, Public Relations
- JD - Law
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- community development coordinator
- mental health counsellor
- outreach and engagement manager
- peer support specialist
- personal support worker
- social justice worker
- volunteer recruitment and engagement 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
- advocacy
- community development
- cultural heritage
- equity, diversity and inclusion
- education/teaching
- environment
- fundraising
- government
- healthcare/rehabilitation
- Indigenous policy
- journalism/media
- law/legal field
- mediation
- non-profit
- public policy
- research
- social justice
- social work
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.