Experience Guide

Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities

First Year

• Take required Business Administration courses and explore other subjects of interest through electives.
• Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year (admission criteria include first-year marks, extracurricular activities, recent work and volunteer experience as well as performance in an admissions interview).
• Visit the Mathematics Assistance Centre and attend weekly Supplemental Instruction sessions.
• Review your program requirements and plan for a successful degree path.
• Participate in the Live Case Competition in BU111 to answer a strategic question posed by a real company.
• Participate in the PepsiCo Pitch Competition and BDO New Venture Competition.

Middle Years

• Complete required courses and consider taking courses towards a minor.
• Look for experiential learning opportunities through the Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation.
• Declare your business concentration at the end of your third year.
• Meet with your academic advisor to make key academic decisions.
• Participate in ICE (Integrated Case Exercise) Week – a weeklong intensive, immersive case experience.
• Take part in the IKEA Sustainability Challenge to learn how sustainability issues relate to business practices.

Final Year

• Complete coursework for your business concentration.
• Learn about Instructional Assistantship and Lab Instructor opportunities in Business.
• Complete the Graduate Diploma in Accounting after your final year if you are pursuing the CPA designation.
• 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.

Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience

First Year

• Join one (or several) of the Lazaridis Students’ Society clubs or a special interest club. Or create your own!
• Enrol in Prism Resources training sessions to improve your computer skills.
• Participate in residence leadership opportunities or LOCUS events.
• Contribute to Laurier’s weekly newspaper, The Cord, or submit a creative piece to Blueprint Magazine.
• Explore your interests by volunteering on campus (e.g., Sustainability Office, Schlegel Centre's Innovation Squad, peer programs, Students' Union and more).
• Join intramural sports or participate in recreational activities.
• Live in the Business and Economics Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success.

Middle Years

• Join student clubs and participate in networking, social and professional opportunities offered by campus clubs and services.
• Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
• Attend speaker series such as the CEO-in-Residence or Economist-in-Residence series.
• Look for opportunities to be involved in case competitions.
• Attend the Lazaridis Networking Gala.
• Be a note taker through the Accessible Learning Centre.
• Connect with local organizations to learn about volunteer opportunities.
• Practice your investment skills with the Laurier Student Investment Fund.
• Represent the Lazaridis School at JDC Central, a team competition of debates and academic cases along with charity, sports and social events.

Final Year

• Apply for an executive position in an on-campus club.
• Attend employer recruiting sessions and the Career and Job Fairs to network with employers.
• Look into the LaunchPad program for the opportunity to discover, validate and launch an innovative new venture.
• Look for research opportunities at the P&G Centre for Business and Sustainability.
• Attend the Supply Chain Summit.
• Complete the Canadian Securities Course to become licensed to work within the Canadian securities industry.
• Join professional associations that align with your career interests.

Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective

First Year

• Visit the Diversity and Equity Office and become a member of the student service provider groups.
• Visit Laurier International to learn about international options available to you to enrich your university experience.
• Complete the Intercultural Effectiveness Certificate to build your intercultural competence and global perspective.

Middle Years

• Consider enrolling in a language course.
• Visit Laurier International’s Global Kitchen or Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
• Apply for an academic exchange in your fourth year.
• Consider the Alternative Reading Week trip with Habitat for Humanity.
• Attend the Library Learning Commons Culture Series.
• Look into an international study tour with the International Business option.

Final Year

• Study abroad for an academic term.
• Complete the Diversity Certificate.
• Consider attending the Ashoka U Exchange.

Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities

First Year

• Take required Business, Computer Science, Math and Economics courses.
• Visit the Mathematics Assistance Centre and attend weekly Supplemental Instruction sessions.
• Review your program requirements and plan for a successful degree path.
• Meet with your academic advisor to make key academic decisions.
• Participate in the Live Case Competition in BU111 to answer a strategic question posed by a real company.
• Participate in the PepsiCo Pitch Competition and BDO New Venture Competition.

Middle Years

• Complete required courses in Business and Computer Science.
• Declare your area of concentration if interested.
• Participate in ICE (Integrated Case Exercise) Week – a weeklong intensive, immersive case experience.
• Look for summer research opportunities in a faculty member’s lab or the Centre for Women in Science and apply for a FOSSA Research Scholarship and/or the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) to get funding.
• Look for experiential learning opportunities through the Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation and take the Science Entrepreneurship course.
• Meet with potential supervisors to learn about directed-studies research projects for your final year.

Final Year

• Participate in the Undergraduate Capstone Open Source Projects (UCOSP) where you will work with students from universities across Canada.
• Learn about Instructional Assistantship and Lab Instructor opportunities in Business.
• Thinking of pursuing graduate school? Talk to your professors and visit the Career Centre.

Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience

First Year

• Join one (or several) of the Lazaridis Students’ Society clubs, the Society of Computing, Physics and Mathematics (PHI), or a special interest club. Or create your own!
• Enrol in Prism Resources training sessions to improve your computer skills.
• Attend the Physics and Computer Science seminar series.
• Participate in residence leadership opportunities or LOCUS events.
• Contribute to Laurier’s weekly newspaper, The Cord, or submit a creative piece to Blueprint Magazine.
• Explore your interests by volunteering on campus (e.g., Sustainability Office, Schlegel Centre's Innovation Squad, peer programs, Students' Union and more).
• Live in the Business and Economics Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success.
• Join intramural sports or participate in recreational activities.

Middle Years

• Join student clubs and participate in networking, social and professional opportunities offered by campus clubs and services.
• Complete co-op fundamentals and co-op work terms to gain valuable work experience.
• Look for employment opportunities in research labs or as an Instructional Assistant in Computer Science.
• Attend speaker series such as the CEO-in-Residence or Economist-in-Residence series.
• Serve as a student representative on a faculty committee.
• Look for opportunities to be involved in case competitions.
• Attend the Lazaridis Networking Gala.
• Be a note taker through the Accessible Learning Centre.
• Connect with local organizations to learn about volunteer opportunities.
• Apply for an executive position in an on-campus club.

Final Year

• Attend employer recruiting sessions and the Career and Job Fairs to network with employers.
• Join professional associations that align with your career interests such as the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS), the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society, or the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).
• Look into the LaunchPad program for the opportunity to discover, validate and launch an innovative new venture.
• Participate in competitions (e.g., Communitech Waterloo Hacks, Waterloo Codefest or the Great Canadian Appathon).

Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective

First Year

• Visit the Diversity and Equity Office and become a member of the student service provider groups.
• Visit Laurier International to learn about international options available to you to enrich your university experience.
• Complete the Intercultural Effectiveness Certificate to build your intercultural competence and global perspective.

Middle Years

• Visit Laurier International’s Global Kitchen or Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
• Consider the Alternative Reading Week trip with Habitat for Humanity.
• Attend the Library Learning Commons Culture Series.

Final Year

• Complete the Diversity Certificate.
• Consider attending the Ashoka U Exchange.

Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities

First Year

• Take required courses at Laurier and the University of Waterloo.
• Visit the Mathematics Assistance Centre and attend weekly Supplemental Instruction sessions.
• Review your program requirements and plan for a successful degree path.
• Participate in the Live Case Competition in BU111 to answer a strategic question posed by a real company.
• Participate in the PepsiCo Pitch Competition and BDO New Venture Competition.

Middle Years

• Complete required courses in Business and Computer Science.
• Declare your area of concentration if interested.
• Look for experiential learning opportunities through the Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation.
• Meet with your academic advisor to make key academic decisions.
• Participate in ICE (Integrated Case Exercise) Week – a weeklong intensive, immersive case experience.

Final Year

• Complete coursework for your Business concentration and your Computer Science electives.
• Learn about Instructional Assistantship and Lab Instructor opportunities in Business.
• Complete the Graduate Diploma in Accounting after your final year if you are pursuing the CPA designation.
• Thinking of pursuing graduate school? Talk to your professors and visit the Career Centre.

Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience

First Year

• Join one (or several) of the Lazaridis Students’ Society clubs, student clubs at the University of Waterloo, or a special interest club. Or create your own!
• Enrol in Prism Resources training sessions to improve your computer skills.
• Participate in residence leadership opportunities or LOCUS events.
• Contribute to Laurier’s weekly newspaper, The Cord, or submit a creative piece to Blueprint Magazine.
• Explore your interests by volunteering on campus (e.g., Sustainability Office, Schlegel Centre's Innovation Squad, peer programs, Students' Union and more).
• Join intramural sports or participate in recreational activities.
• Live in the Business and Economics Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success.

Middle Years

• Join student clubs and participate in networking, social and professional opportunities offered by campus clubs and services.
• Complete co-op fundamentals and co-op work terms to gain valuable work experience.
• Attend speaker series such as the CEO-in-Residence or Economist-in-Residence series.
• Look for opportunities to be involved in case competitions.
• Attend the Lazaridis Networking Gala.
• Be a note taker through the Accessible Learning Centre.
• Connect with local organizations to learn about volunteer opportunities.
• Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
• Represent the Lazaridis School at JDC Central, a team competition of debates and academic cases along with charity, sports and social events.

Final Year

• Apply for an executive position in an on-campus club.
• Attend employer recruiting sessions and the Career and Job Fairs to network with employers.
• Look into the LaunchPad program for the opportunity to discover, validate and launch an innovative new venture.
• Look for research opportunities at the P&G Centre for Business and Sustainability.
• Attend the Supply Chain Summit.
• Complete the Canadian Securities Course to become licensed to work within the Canadian securities industry.
• Join professional associations that align with your career interests.

Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective

First Year

• Visit the Diversity and Equity Office and become a member of the student service provider groups.
• Visit Laurier International to learn about international options available to you to enrich your university experience.
• Complete the Intercultural Effectiveness Certificate to build your intercultural competence and global perspective.

Middle Years

• Consider enrolling in a language course.
• Visit Laurier International’s Global Kitchen or Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
• Consider the Alternative Reading Week trip with Habitat for Humanity.
• Attend the Library Learning Commons Culture Series.
• Look into an international study tour for the International Business option.
• Study abroad for an academic term.

Final Year

• Complete the Diversity Certificate.
• Consider attending the Ashoka U Exchange.

Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities

First Year

• Take required Business, Economics, and Mathematics courses.
• Visit the Mathematics Assistance Centre and attend weekly Supplemental Instruction sessions.
• Review your program requirements and plan for a successful degree path.
• Meet with your academic advisor to make key academic decisions.
• Participate in the Live Case Competition in BU111 to answer a strategic question posed by a real company.
• Participate in the PepsiCo Pitch Competition and BDO New Venture Competition.

Middle Years

• Complete required courses in Business and Math.
• Declare your area of concentration if interested.
• Participate in ICE (Integrated Case Exercise) Week – a weeklong intensive, immersive case experience.
• Look for research opportunities through the MS2Discovery Interdisciplinary Research Institute or in the department.
• Participate in the William Lowell Putnam Competition.
• Look for experiential learning opportunities through the Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation and take the Science Entrepreneurship course.

Final Year

• Learn about the honours Mathematics seminar and select an interesting topic of study or research.
• Learn about Instructional Assistantship and Lab Instructor opportunities in Business.
• Complete the Graduate Diploma in Accounting after your final year if you are pursuing the CPA designation.
• Thinking of pursuing graduate school? Talk to your professors and visit the Career Centre.
• Apply for the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) program or other summer research programs available.

Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience

First Year

• Join one (or several) of the Lazaridis Students’ Society clubs, the Society of Computing, Physics and Mathematics (PHI), or a special interest club. Or create your own!
• Enrol in Prism Resources training sessions to improve your computer skills.
• Participate in residence leadership opportunities or LOCUS events.
• Contribute to Laurier’s weekly newspaper, The Cord, or submit a creative piece to Blueprint Magazine.
• Explore your interests by volunteering on campus (e.g., Sustainability Office, Schlegel Centre's Innovation Squad, peer programs, Students' Union and more).
• Join intramural sports or participate in recreational activities.
• Live in the Business and Economics Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success.

Middle Years

• Join student clubs and participate in networking, social and professional opportunities offered by campus clubs and services.
• Complete co-op fundamentals and co-op work terms to gain valuable work experience.
• Seek part-time employment or volunteer opportunities in the Mathematics department or at the Mathematics Assistance Centre.
• Attend speaker series such as the CEO-in-Residence or Economist-in-Residence series.
• Look for opportunities to be involved in case competitions.
• Attend the Lazaridis Networking Gala.
• Be a note taker through the Accessible Learning Centre.
• Connect with local organizations to learn about volunteer opportunities.
• Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
• Practice your investment skills with the Laurier Student Investment Fund.

Final Year

• Apply for an executive position in an on-campus club.
• Attend employer recruiting sessions and the Career and Job Fairs to network with employers.
• Join professional associations that align with your career interests.
• Get involved with the Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA) and the Society of Actuaries to learn about the ASA and FSA designations.
• Look into the LaunchPad program for the opportunity to discover, validate and launch an innovative new venture.
• Complete the Canadian Securities Course to become licensed to work within the Canadian securities industry.

Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective

First Year

• Visit the Diversity and Equity Office and become a member of the student service provider groups.
• Visit Laurier International to learn about international options available to you to enrich your university experience.
• Complete the Intercultural Effectiveness Certificate to build your intercultural competence and global perspective.

Middle Years

• Visit Laurier International’s Global Kitchen or Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
• Consider the Alternative Reading Week trip with Habitat for Humanity.
• Attend the Library Learning Commons Culture Series.

Final Year

• Study abroad for an academic term.
• Complete the Diversity Certificate.
• Consider attending the Ashoka U Exchange.

Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities

First Year

• Take required courses at Laurier and the University of Waterloo.
• Visit the Mathematics Assistance Centre and attend weekly Supplemental Instruction sessions.
• Review your program requirements and plan for a successful degree path.
• Participate in the Live Case Competition in BU111 to answer a strategic question posed by a real company.
• Participate in the PepsiCo Pitch Competition and BDO New Venture Competition.

Middle Years

• Complete required courses in Business and Math.
• Declare your Business concentration if interested.
• Look for experiential learning opportunities through the Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation.
• Meet with your academic advisor to make key academic decisions.
• Participate in ICE (Integrated Case Exercise) Week – a weeklong intensive, immersive case experience.

Final Year

• Complete coursework for your Business concentration and your Math electives.
• Learn about Instructional Assistantship and Lab Instructor opportunities in Business.
• Complete the Graduate Diploma in Accounting after your final year if you are pursuing the CPA designation.
• Thinking of pursuing graduate school? Talk to your professors and visit the Career Centre.

Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience

First Year

• Join one (or several) of the Lazaridis Students’ Society clubs, student clubs at the University of Waterloo, or a special interest club. Or create your own!
• Enrol in Prism Resources training sessions to improve your computer skills.
• Participate in residence leadership opportunities or LOCUS events.
• Contribute to Laurier’s weekly newspaper, The Cord, or submit a creative piece to Blueprint Magazine.
• Explore your interests by volunteering on campus (e.g., Sustainability Office, Schlegel Centre's Innovation Squad, peer programs, Students' Union and more).
• Join intramural sports or participate in recreational activities.
• Live in the Business and Economics Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success.

Middle Years

• Join student clubs and participate in networking, social and professional opportunities offered by campus clubs and services.
• Complete co-op fundamentals and co-op work terms to gain valuable work experience.
• Attend speaker series such as the CEO-in-Residence or Economist-in-Residence series.
• Look for opportunities to be involved in case competitions.
• Attend the Lazaridis Networking Gala.
• Be a note taker through the Accessible Learning Centre.
• Connect with local organizations to learn about volunteer opportunities.
• Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
• Practice your investment skills with the Laurier Student Investment Fund.
• Represent the Lazaridis School at JDC Central, a team competition of debates and academic cases along with charity, sports and social events.

Final Year

• Apply for an executive position in an on-campus club.
• Attend employer recruiting sessions and the Career and Job Fairs to network with employers.
• Look into the LaunchPad program for the opportunity to discover, validate and launch an innovative new venture.
• Look for research opportunities at the P&G Centre for Business and Sustainability.
• Attend the Supply Chain Summit.
• Complete the Canadian Securities Course to become licensed to work within the Canadian securities industry.
• Join professional associations that align with your career interests.

Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective

First Year

• Visit the Diversity and Equity Office and become a member of the student service provider groups.
• Visit Laurier International to learn about international options available to you to enrich your university experience.
• Complete the Intercultural Effectiveness Certificate to build your intercultural competence and global perspective.

Middle Years

• Consider enrolling in a language course.
• Visit Laurier International’s Global Kitchen or Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
• Consider the Alternative Reading Week trip with Habitat for Humanity.
• Attend the Library Learning Commons Culture Series.
• Look into an international study tour with the International Business option.

Final Year

• Study abroad for an academic term.
• Complete the Diversity Certificate.
• Consider attending the Ashoka U Exchange.

Your graduate degree at Laurier will take you in many different directions and prepare you to be a leader in both your field and community. Your Laurier experience includes many opportunities to engage both in and outside the classroom.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies provides academic leadership, administrative support and program advice to all graduate students. There are also scholarships and financial awards, fellowships and other teaching and research assistantship positions that you can access during your time at Laurier.

Graduate students gain knowledge about professional skill development through Laurier’s ASPIRE program. This program provides a framework for you to design an extracurricular learning plan for navigating your professional journey and entry to the workplace. There are also teaching certificates, career development workshops and other skill development opportunities.

The Graduate Students’ Association provides many services and supports with a focus on wellness. They provide various opportunities to be involved and contribute to the Laurier community.

The Laurier graduate school experience is more than research and scholarship – it’s about becoming an engaged citizen and applying your advanced knowledge to real-world problems.