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Career and Volunteer Opportunities

Discover Career Opportunities

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • addictions counsellor
  • child protection worker
  • claims examiner/adjudicator
  • court clerk/officer
  • crime prevention service officer
  • crime reporter
  • fraud investigator
  • immigration/customs officer
  • insurance adjuster
  • investigator
  • law enforcement/security
  • lawyer/paralegal
  • loss prevention specialist
  • mediator
  • military officer
  • ombudsperson
  • policy analyst/advisor
  • pre-trial services officer
  • probation/corrections officer
  • social policy researcher
  • social worker
  • underwriter

Sample Industries / Types of Employers

  • airlines/airports
  • Canada Border Services
  • casinos/resorts
  • correctional facilities
  • courts
  • government
  • insurance companies
  • international aid organizations
  • military
  • police forces/RCMP
  • private corporations
  • social service agencies

Career Resources

Check out more resources available in the Career Centre and through Navigator.

Volunteer Opportunities

Laurier Grads are Successful

Laurier Graduate Survey Results (2021)

Respondents from the Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation.

175 Criminology Graduates:

  • Employed: 55.0%
  • Pursuing Further Education: 38.3%
  • Other: 3.3%
  • Looking for Work: 3.3%

Sample Jobs within the First Year After Graduation

  • behavioural support specialist
  • child and youth counsellor
  • court clerk/registrar
  • legal assistant
  • physical security analyst
  • program coordinator
  • residential care worker

Sample Further Education Programs within the First Year After Graduation

Many graduates of the honours BA in Criminology program have gone on to pursue law school following their undergraduate degree. Find out more information about the Law School Admission Test.

  • JD: Law.
  • Master’s degree: Criminology, International Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration, Social Justice and Community Engagement.
  • College program: Brain Disorders Management, Forensic Identification, Paralegal, Public Service, Human Resources.
  • Bachelor's degree: Education.

Careers of Alumni Two-Five Years After Graduation

  • anti-money laundering investigator
  • criminal intelligence analyst
  • fraud consultant
  • lawyer
  • police officer
  • probation and parole officer
  • trial coordinator

Develop Your Knowledge and Skills

At Laurier, develop these competencies through both curricular and co-curricular opportunities to help you achieve your goals for the future.

Functional Knowledge

  • Gain an understanding of why some behaviours (and not others) are defined as criminal, the causes of law-breaking behaviour and how society reacts to crime.
  • Gather and assess information related to the prediction and management of criminal and deviant behaviours.
  • Develop an awareness of human and social behaviour and how it is applied to policy development.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of public policy, and interpret and assess its impact on society.
  • Develop an understanding of various governmental, community and social institutions and their roles, and the ability to provide information to assist individuals and organizations to make informed decisions.
  • Gain an understanding of how economic, cultural and societal change impacts individuals' behaviour.
  • Study and investigate criminal activities and identify methods of prevention and justice.
  • Discover how information is sourced, valued and used in creating new knowledge.

Collaboration & Teamwork 

  • Work effectively as part of a team by identifying your role and contributing, leading, teaching, motivating and/or encouraging others for team success.
  • Oversee, lead and/or contribute to a project including determining goals, planning details, making decisions and completing tasks.
  • Demonstrate professional behaviour and an understanding of individual perspectives and diversity.

Communication 

  • Research, analyze, synthesize and clearly communicate findings in oral and written formats.
  • Probe for information by asking questions and listening, and engage in constructive conversations.
  • Prepare interesting and informative reports and presentations for diverse audiences using current technology.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

  • Identify and access a wide range of relevant information and resources.
  • Utilize critical thinking skills and demonstrate an understanding of contemporary challenges, issues and trends.
  • Set priorities, meet deadlines and manage time, data and resources.
  • Make well-reasoned decisions, think creatively, identify and consider all sides of an issue.
  • Analyze and evaluate data to discuss, support and/or question ideas, opinions, reports, theories and proposals.

Discover Career Opportunities

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • activist/lobbyist
  • advocacy-government relations
  • claims examiner/adjudicator
  • community program developer
  • compliance analyst
  • compliance officer
  • contract specialist
  • corporate social responsibility manager
  • crime prevention service officer
  • diversity and equity officer
  • editor for legal publication
  • foreign service officer
  • human resources specialist
  • human rights officer
  • humanitarian aid worker
  • immigration/refugee officer
  • in-house legal counsel
  • insurance adjuster
  • labour organizer/negotiator
  • lawyer
  • legal administrator
  • legal expert
  • legal writer
  • management consultant
  • mediator
  • ombudsperson
  • policy analyst/advisor
  • research consultant

Sample Industries / Types of Employers

  • community organizations
  • consulting firms
  • corporations
  • correctional facilities
  • educational institutions
  • embassies/consulates
  • government
  • insurance companies
  • law enforcement agencies
  • law firms
  • lobbying firms/municipalities
  • media organizations
  • non-profit organizations
  • political parties
  • research firms
  • think tanks
  • trade and professional associations
  • United Nations

Online Resources

More career resources are available through Navigator.

Develop Your Knowledge and Skills

Employers identify these competencies as very important when recruiting entry-level candidates. As a Laurier student, you gain these skills through the opportunities available to you.

Functional Knowledge

  • Gain knowledge in the English and Canadian legal systems, legal theory, criminal law, equity and trusts, land law, law and policy of the European Union, public law, law of contract and law of tort.
  • Gain an understanding of why some behaviours (and not others) are defined as criminal, the causes of law-breaking behaviour and how society reacts to crime.
  • Develop an awareness of human and social behaviour and how it is applied to policy development.
  • Discover how information is sourced, valued and used in creating new knowledge.

Collaboration/Teamwork 

  • Work effectively as part of a team by identifying your role and contributing, leading, teaching, motivating and/or encouraging others for team success.
  • Oversee, lead and/or contribute to a project including determining goals, planning details, making decisions and completing tasks.
  • Demonstrate professional behaviour and an understanding of individual perspectives and diversity.

Communication 

  • Explain information, ideas and opinions effectively, both verbally and in writing.
  • Probe for information by asking questions and listening, and engage in constructive conversations.
  • Prepare interesting and informative reports and presentations for diverse audiences using current technology.

Problem Solving 

  • Think critically about contemporary issues from the perspectives of justice, equality and rights.
  • Identify and access a wide range of relevant information and resources.
  • Learn, understand and interpret information and apply knowledge to new situations, performing both comparative and critical analyses.
  • Set priorities, meet deadlines and manage time, data and resources.
  • Make well-reasoned decisions, think creatively, identify and consider all sides of an issue.
  • Analyze and evaluate data to discuss, support and/or question ideas, opinions, reports, theories and proposals.