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Political Science (BA)
Experience and Career Guide

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you and learning about the many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world. There are so many opportunities to learn, lead, and embrace new opportunities all while having an exceptional student experience.

In this Guide

Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.

Year-to-Year Academic Experience Co-Curricular Opportunities Knowledge and Skills Career Options and Graduate Outcomes

Your Year-to-Year Experience

Enhance your academic experience by learning about the opportunities available in your program.

Explore Co-Curricular Experiences

Participate in co-curricular experiences to complement your Laurier
academic journey and gain meaningful learning opportunities.

As a Political Science student, you can: 

Outside of your program, there are many co-curricular opportunities for you to participate in. 

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.
  • Public Policy specialization
  • Legal Studies specialization
  • Political Science research specialization
  • Certificate in Practical Politics
  • International Public Policy option
  • Management option
  • Community Engagement option
  • North American Studies minor
  • Global Studies minor
  • History minor
  • Women and Gender Studies minor

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

You will develop functional knowledge in your program including:

  • Understand the origin, development and operation of various political systems; the inter-relationship of politics, the economy and geography; and the policies and strategies of resource allocation among competing groups.
  • Develop a globally-minded viewpoint and engage with different political perspectives.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the factors that influence and change public opinion.
  • Design a research project and engage in empirical research by using various political science methods.
  • Display an understanding of the policy-making process, major approaches to policy analysis and the functioning of government.
  • Develop skills in writing for policy audiences.

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.
%
Pursuing Further Education
%
Employed
%
Other

108 Political Science and North American Studies respondents from the 2023 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

  • JD - Law
  • Master’s Degree - Applied Politics, Global Governance, International Public Policy, Political Communication, Public Policy, Public Service, Labour Studies
  • Bachelor’s Degree - Education

Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation

  • associate consultant, public affairs
  • business systems analyst
  • health and safety coordinator
  • legal administrative assistant
  • marketing coordinator
  • non-profit program facilitator
  • Ontario legislative intern
  • policy analyst
  • research analyst

Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation

  • economist
  • lawyer
  • policy officer
  • public affairs consultant
  • strategic policy advisor and analyst
  • sustainable development program officer

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

  • business/corporate development
  • communications/public relations
  • community outreach
  • criminal justice
  • education/academia
  • foreign policy/international affairs
  • government
  • immigration
  • intelligence
  • journalism/media
  • law/legal field
  • negotiation and dispute resolution
  • non-profit/advocacy
  • politics
  • public policy
  • research/market analysis

Career Resources

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.