In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Take required Health Sciences and other science courses.
- Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Live in the Faculty of Science Residence Learning Community to extend opportunities for learning and development beyond the classroom.
- Earn the Writing Certificate.
- Participate in Supplemental Instruction sessions for key courses.
- Enhance your academic experience at Laurier through professional one-on-one, online and peer-to-peer resources available through Faculty of Science Academic Advising and Support.
- Complete required courses and explore health issues by applying social science and health theories.
- Look for research opportunities in a faculty member’s lab and apply for a FOSSA grant to attend a conference or purchase lab supplies for your research.
- Seek summer research opportunities available in hospitals (e.g., Grand River, Sunnybrook, SickKids).
- Engage with the community and build necessary experience for graduate and professional programs through volunteer opportunities with local organizations.
- Consider completing a directed studies or thesis course and gain experience through a research internship.
- If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, talk with your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Learn about Instructional or Research Assistantship opportunities in Health Sciences and other Faculty of Science departments.
- Submit your research to academic journals for a chance to be published.
- If you’re interested in medical school as your next step after graduation, learn about Laurier’s pathway agreement with the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC). If you meet all eligibility and admission requirements, you are guaranteed an admissions interview with the AUC School of Medicine.
- If you’re applying to graduate school, sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop and book a further education application appointment.
As a Health Sciences student, you can:
- Join student clubs such as the Health Sciences Students’ Association (HSSA), Society for Undergraduate Research and Outreach (SURO), Laurier Music Med Club, Laurier Women's Health Advocacy Association, WLU HistoMed, or Pre-Medical Society and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
- Connect with health professionals at events like Conversations in Health, organized jointly by the Health Sciences Students' Association and the Department of Health Sciences.
- Look for opportunities as a varsity sport student trainer or other positions at the Athletic Complex.
- Participate in HOSA Laurier National Case Competition for Health Sciences.
- Join the Department of Health Sciences IDEA Committee (healthsciences@wlu.ca)
- Seek part-time employment or volunteer opportunities in the Mathematics department or with Student Success' Mathematics and Course Support.
- Serve as a student representative in faculty or department meetings, or as an ambassador at the Ontario Universities' Fair and open house 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
- Apply the scientific method as it pertains to various academic and professional disciplines.
- Gather, understand, critically appraise and integrate scientific literature for research purposes.
- Apply an interdisciplinary perspective to various health issues across diverse contexts while engaging in self-directed learning.
- Think critically and make objective, evidence-based decisions.
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
93 Health Sciences 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. 1% 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
- Doctor - Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Naturopathy, Veterinary Medicine
- Master’s Degree - Global Health, Health Sciences, Public Health, Biotechnology, Health Informatics, Epidemiology, Business Administration, Physiotherapy, Laboratory Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Pharmaceutical Science, Speech-Language Pathology
- Bachelor’s Degree - Nuclear Medicine, Nursing
- College Program - Aesthetician, Chiropody
- JD - Law
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- campus experience coordinator
- inside sales representative
- medical underwriting
- physician navigator
- physiotherapist assistant
Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation
- chiropractor
- epidemiologist
- medical doctor
- occupational therapist
- pharmacist
- physiotherapist
- public health planner
- speech-language pathologist
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
- child development
- counselling/social work
- dentistry
- education
- epidemiology
- genetics
- health administration
- information technology
- medicine
- nursing
- nutrition/dietetics
- pharmacy
- public health
- public policy
- rehabilitation
- research
Career Resources
- Canadian Medical Association
- Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science
- Canadian Pharmacists Association
- Canadian Dental Association
- Speech-Language and Audiology Canada
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Canadian Nurses Association
- Canadian Public Health Association
- Canadian Society for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
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.