Experience Guide
Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.
Year-to-Year Experience Guides
The following is a year-to-year outline of the kinds of experiential learning activities that work well with your program.
- Languages Lang Click this tab to view content pertaining to Languages
- French Fren Click this tab to view content pertaining to French
- Spanish Span Click this tab to view content pertaining to Spanish
Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities
First Year
- Take Languages courses and explore other programs of interest.
- Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Consider the Explore program in the spring to enhance your spoken French.
- Earn the Writing Certificate.
Middle Years
- Explore courses in related areas of study and begin thinking about a minor or an option to complement your degree.
- Consider taking social entrepreneurship or entrepreneurship courses.
- Submit your academic work to the Laurier Undergraduate Journal of the Arts for a chance to be published.
- Take culture and literature courses to discover the diversity of the Languages program.
- Practice French, Spanish, German or Italian abroad on an international exchange or through a spring term study abroad travel course.
Final Year
- Learn about Research and Instructional Assistantship opportunities in Languages.
- Take upper-level literature and culture courses to enrich your learning.
- Apply to the Bachelor of Education (BEd) pathway if you have satisfied the requirements.
- Thinking of pursuing graduate school?
- Talk to your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop or book a writing consultation for help with your funding proposals.
- Present your research at the Undergraduate European Studies Conference.
Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience
First Year
- Attend O-Week events.
- Join student clubs such as the Laurier French Club, Spanish Club, Laurier Italian Society, German Culture Society, AIESEC Laurier or a special interest club. Or create your own!
- Participate in events and skills-based workshops with your residence or off-campus LOCUS community.
- Explore your interests by volunteering on campus with Accessible Learning's Note-taking Program, Laurier International, Wellness Education, the Sustainability Office and more.
- Join intramural sports or sport clubs, participate in recreational activities and attend varsity games.
- Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils, House Council and the Leadership Certificate.
Middle Years
- Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
- Volunteer at a local school or another local organization to gain language and professional experience.
- Volunteer as a language tutor.
- Learn to write articles, draw illustrations or take photographs with Laurier’s weekly newspaper, The Cord.
- Participate in Sandbox workshops and attend the Entrepreneur Speaker series.
Final Year
- Consider applying to be a language assistant in France for a year after graduation.
- Apply for an executive/coordinator position with a student club or committee.
- Look into the LaunchPad program for the opportunity to launch an innovative new venture.
- Share your Laurier experience with prospective students at open house events.
Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective
First Year
- Get involved with the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Visit Laurier International to learn about international options available to you.
- Complete the Intercultural Certificate with Laurier International.
- Engage in training on consent, bystander intervention and disclosure provided through Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention Support.
Middle Years
- Study abroad for an academic term.
- Gather for Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
- Become a Global Engagement Student Ambassador.
- Complete the Diversity Certificate.
Final Year
- Participate in Indigenous Education Week.
- Consider the Alternative Reading Week Trip with Habitat for Humanity.
- Earn your Certificate in Accessibility with Accessible Learning.
Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities
First Year
- Take French courses (check the French course registration guide - you will be placed based on your French background) and explore other programs of interest.
- Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Consider the Explore program in the spring to enhance your spoken French.
- Earn the Writing Certificate.
Middle Years
- Explore courses in related areas of study and begin thinking about a minor or an option to complement your degree.
- Submit your academic work to the Laurier Undergraduate Journal of the Arts for a chance to be published.
- Consider taking social entrepreneurship or entrepreneurship courses.
- Go on an international exchange to practice French abroad.
- Take the exam for the DELF certificate.
- Enrol in courses with media and education partnerships such as Media and the News in French or Teaching, Learning and Thinking in French to participate in experiential learning opportunities.
- Take Translation courses to gain marketable skills.
Final Year
- Learn about Research and Instructional Assistantship opportunities in French.
- Take upper-level literature and culture courses to enrich your learning.
- Apply to the Bachelor of Education (BEd) pathway if you have satisfied the requirements.
- Thinking of pursuing graduate school?
- Talk to your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Sign up for a scholarship proposal-writing workshop or book a writing consultation for help with your proposals.
- Present your research at the Undergraduate European Studies Conference.
Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience
First Year
- Attend O-Week events.
- Join student clubs such as the Laurier French Club, Spanish Club, Laurier Italian Society, German Culture Society, AIESEC Laurier or a special interest club. Or create your own!
- Participate in events and skills-based workshops with your residence or off-campus LOCUS community.
- Explore your interests by volunteering on campus with Accessible Learning's Note-taking Program, Laurier International, Wellness Education, the Sustainability Office and more.
- Join intramural sports or sport clubs, participate in recreational activities and attend varsity games.
- Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils, House Council and the Leadership Certificate.
Middle Years
- Volunteer at a local school to gain language and professional experience.
- Volunteer as a language tutor.
- Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
- Learn to write articles, draw illustrations or take photographs with Laurier’s weekly newspaper, The Cord.
- Participate in Sandbox workshops and attend the Entrepreneur Speaker series.
Final Year
- Apply for an executive/coordinator position with a student club or committee.
- Look into the LaunchPad program for the opportunity to launch an innovative new venture.
- Consider applying to be a language assistant in France for a year after graduation.
- Share your Laurier experience with prospective students at open house events.
Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective
First Year
- Get involved with the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Visit Laurier International to learn about international options available to you.
- Complete the Intercultural Certificate with Laurier International.
- Engage in training on consent, bystander intervention and disclosure provided through Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention Support.
Middle Years
- Study abroad for an academic term at a French university.
- Gather for Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
- Become a Global Engagement Student Ambassador.
- Complete the Diversity Certificate.
Final Year
- Participate in Indigenous Education Week.
- Consider the Alternative Reading Week Trip with Habitat for Humanity.
- Earn your Certificate in Accessibility with Accessible Learning.
Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities
First Year
- Take required Spanish courses and explore other programs of interest.
- Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Study abroad with a faculty member during the summer to experience Spanish language and culture in its own setting.
Middle Years
- Explore courses in related areas of study and begin thinking about a minor or an option to complement your degree.
- Consider taking social entrepreneurship or entrepreneurship courses.
- Submit your academic work to the Laurier Undergraduate Journal of the Arts for a chance to be published.
- Consider enrolling in the University of Waterloo Spanish/English Translation Diploma.
Final Year
- Learn about Research or Instructional Assistantship opportunities in Spanish.
- Take upper-level literature and culture courses to enrich your learning.
- Thinking of pursuing graduate school?
- Talk to your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop or book a writing consultation for help with your funding proposals.
Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience
First Year
- Attend O-Week events.
- Join student clubs such as the Laurier French Club, Spanish Club, Laurier Italian Society, German Culture Society, AIESEC Laurier or a special interest club. Or create your own!
- Participate in events and skills-based workshops with your residence or off-campus LOCUS community.
- Explore your interests by volunteering on campus with Accessible Learning's Note-taking Program, Laurier International, Wellness Education, the Sustainability Office and more.
- Join intramural sports or sport clubs, participate in recreational activities and attend varsity games.
- Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils, House Council and the Leadership Certificate.
Middle Years
- Volunteer at a local school or another local organization to gain language and professional experience.
- Volunteer as a language tutor.
- Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
- Learn to write articles, draw illustrations or take photographs with Laurier’s weekly newspaper, The Cord.
- Participate in Sandbox workshops and attend the Entrepreneur Speaker series.
Final Year
- Apply for an executive/coordinator position with a student club or committee.
- Achieve the official certificate for Basic Business Spanish by taking courses and writing the Madrid Chamber of Commerce and Industry exam.
- Look into the LaunchPad program for the opportunity to launch an innovative new venture.
- Share your Laurier experience with prospective students at open house events.
Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective
First Year
- Get involved with the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Visit Laurier International to learn about international options available to you.
- Complete the Intercultural Certificate with Laurier International.
- Engage in training on consent, bystander intervention and disclosure provided through Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention Support.
Middle Years
- Study abroad for an academic term or enrol in a travel course during the spring term.
- Gather for Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
- Become a Global Engagement Student Ambassador.
- Complete the Diversity Certificate.
Final Year
- Participate in Indigenous Education Week.
- Consider the Alternative Reading Week Trip with Habitat for Humanity.
- Earn your Certificate in Accessibility with Accessible Learning.
Checklists
Completing the checklists below will also help ensure your academic, professional, and personal success during your time at Laurier – and beyond.
Academic Success Checklist
- Plan for a successful degree path by meeting with your academic advisor and reviewing your progression requirements on MyDegree.
- Visit your professors during their office hours.
- Discover the Library – librarians can help you find and evaluate scholarly information for your assignments.
- Complete the Academic Integrity module in MyLearningSpace.
- Utilize the Online Assignment Planner.
- Book a career consulting appointment to explore career options.
- Complete the Student Awards scholarship and bursary applications on LORIS.
- Access the Wellness Centre for emotional, mental and physical health services.
- Visit the Writing & Learning Lab to further enhance your writing, develop learning skills to become a better student and learn how to be successful with difficult courses.
- Attend the Further Education Fair to learn about postgraduate programs.
- Apply to graduate and attend convocation to celebrate your success.
Experience Checklist
- Volunteer with the Students’ Union (e.g., Foot Patrol, EcoHawks, Food Bank, Emergency Response Team, Shinerama).
- Have your resumé and LinkedIn profile reviewed in the Career Centre.
- Apply for on-campus jobs (e.g., Athletics and Recreation, Wilf’s, Residence, Library, Bookstore, peer programs, peer programs, writing tutor and more).
- Enhance your money management skills and confidence by completing the Money Management Certificate.
- Attend the Career and Job Fairs to network with employers.
- Earn your Career Development Certificate.
- Create a profile on laurier.tenthousandcoffees.com to connect with Laurier alumni.
- Earn the Wellness Education Certificate.
- Learn to think like an entrepreneur and be a changemaker through opportunities with the Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation.
- Feed your curiosity and ideas through exploration in Laurier’s makerspaces.
- Reflect on your co-curricular experiences for your Laurier Experience Record.
- Network with alumni at career events to gain insight into possible career paths.
- Apply to jobs through Navigator for summer, part-time or full-time work after graduation.
Career Opportunities
When you're ready to start thinking about your life after graduation, you should check out the career and postgraduate options for people with a language degree.