In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Join the International Education Studies Students Association (IESSA) and get to know your classmates and instructors through their calendar of social events, study sessions, guest speakers, and workshops.
- Sign up for the IESSA mentorship program to smooth your transition to university; gain academic and student life tips from a senior IES student.
- Participate in the fall networking event to meet faculty and fellow students.
- Make an appointment with your International Education Studies (IES) advisor to prepare for your second year, learn about IES placement opportunities, and discuss how to choose electives that support your career ambitions.
- Enhance your academic experience at Laurier through professional one-on-one, online, and peer-to-peer resources available through Academic Advising and Support.
- Complete your TESL certificate at Conestoga College, or conduct further language study and take additional electives at Laurier.
- Attend speakers and special events hosted by Global Studies, the Faculty of Education, or other departments.
- Investigate the program pathway to Laurier's Bachelor of Education, and attend information sessions with the Career Centre about applying to BEd programs.
- Conduct your required IES placements, including your senior internationally-oriented placement in the Spring term after third year.
- Consider taking a spring field course in Global Studies or elsewhere in the Faculty of Arts.
- Get involved with the executive committee of the IESSA and gain invaluable leadership experience by organizing events, serving on committees, and mentoring new students.
- Ask your professors about Research Assistantship roles including community-based initiaitves in the Faculty of Education and watch your Laurier email for related opportunities.
- If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, talk with your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Late in fall term, prepare an application for Laurier's Bachelor of Education program or another BEd program in Ontario, other Canadian provinces, or overseas.
- Late in fall term and early in winter term, prepare an application to a master’s program such as the MA in Religion, Culture & Global Justice or the Master in International Public Policy, both offered at Laurier.
- If you’re applying to graduate school, sign up in fall semester for a scholarship proposal writing workshop with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and book a further education application appointment at the Career Centre.
- If you plan to pursue the second level of TESL certification, get in touch with the program at Conestoga, or look into other schools, to identify program application dates.
As an International Education Studies student, you can:
- Volunteer to be an IES mentor, and be part of a team helping new members of your program transition to university.
- Attend events organized by the International Education Studies Student Association and other student clubs to strengthen bonds with your peers and de-stress from your studies.
- Apply to join the executive team of a student club or organization, such as the International Education Studies Student Association, Global Studies Student Association, WUSC, International Students Overcoming War, or Laurier Students' Public Interest Research Group (LSPIRG).
- Pitch a speaker idea to the International Education Studies Coordinator and then collaborate with faculty and peers to make it happen.
- Learn about what could come after your program is complete by attending Global Studies and IES alumni showcase 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
- Identify and analyze historical and emerging socioeconomic and geopolitical issues, institutions, ideologies, and worldviews that shape equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice in educational policy and practice.
- Develop critical awareness and tools to examine one’s positionality and support culturally sustaining practices across educational contexts.
- Demonstrate leadership ability by conceptualizing innovative approaches to educational practice in teaching and other social and policy contexts.
- Develop instructional skills in foundational areas including numeracy and literacy and understand how evolving pedagogical practices are informed by research.
- Communicate effectively and persuasively in written, visual, and spoken formats appropriate to the context and audience.
- Work collegially and efficiently in different groups to develop innovative approaches to task management, problem solving, and creative collaboration.
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
30 International Education Studies respondents from the 2024 Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by the Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation.
Alumni Careers and Pathways
Sample Further Education Programs Within the First Year After Graduation
- Bachelor’s Degree - Education
- Master’s Degree - Education, Teaching
- College Program - Health Sciences
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- child and youth worker
- program director
- supply educator
- teaching assistant
- underwriting assistant
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
*Please note further education and credentials may be necessary
- domestic or international teaching
- adult education
- education in emergencies
- educational policy
- English as a second language instruction
- international development
- international policy and global affairs
- immigration
- refugee settlement and support
- non-profit/advocacy
- student affairs
- equity, diversity and inclusion
- communications/public relations
- tourism
- journalism
- sustainability
- law/legal field
- research/market analysis
Career Resources
- MyWorldAbroad (log in with @mylaurier.ca email)
- Global Affairs Canada
- International Job Centre
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!
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