After Graduation
What are you going to do with a degree in Human Rights and Human Diversity? We can't tell you, but you have three basic immediate options:
- Enter the workforce;
- Go on to further education; or
- Do a graduate internship.
Discover Career Opportunities
- HRHD HRHD Click this tab to view content pertaining to HRHD
- HRHD and Law (Sussex) LLB Click this tab to view content pertaining to HRHD and Law (Sussex)
Sample Career Options
Note: Additional training and education may be required.
- activist/lobbyist
- communications specialist
- community outreach worker
- diversity and equity officer
- event planner
- foreign service officer
- fundraising and development
- grant writer
- human resources professional
- human rights officer
- humanitarian aid worker
- immigrant settlement worker
- immigration/refugee officer
- international development program manager
- lawyer
- non-profit program coordinator
- ombudsperson
- project manager
- public policy analyst
- researcher
- social worker
- volunteer manager
Sample Industries / Types of Employers
- community organizations
- consulting firms
- corporations
- educational institutions
- government agencies/offices
- international organizations
- law firms
- media organizations
- non-profit agencies
- non-governmental organizations
- political parties
- postsecondary institutions
- research institutes
- United Nations
Laurier Grads are Successful
Sample Jobs within the First Year After Graduation
- charitable events coordinator
- community integration learning specialist
- human resources coordinator
- newcomer youth programs supervisor
- youth support worker
Sample Further Education Programs within the First Year After Graduation
- JD: Law.
- Master’s degree: Public Policy, Globalization, International Affairs, Immigration and Settlement Studies.
- College program: Project Management, Public Relations.
Careers of Alumni Two-Five Years After Graduation
- campaign manager
- commercial director
- human resources coordinator
- information management officer
- lawyer
- policy analyst
- refugee program assistant
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
- Apply logic and reasoning to current events and cultural issues.
- Gain an understanding of the historical development of cultural diversity and multiculturalism policies in Canada.
- Develop an awareness of civil and political rights and the institutions that protect them.
- Understand and examine the philosophy behind human rights principles, human rights within Canada and their impact on public policy.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the United Nations as an institution of global governance over contemporary issues and how cultural practices interact with international human rights.
- 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.
- Gain experience with policy analysis papers, grant writing, précis writing, reading legal documents and preparing literature reviews.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Identify and access a wide range of relevant information and resources.
- Learn, understand and critically interpret information and apply knowledge to new situations.
- Set priorities, meet deadlines and manage time, data and resources.
- Make well-reasoned decisions, think creatively, identify and consider all sides of an issue.
- Utilize analytical skills, particularly in assessing and evaluating current problems, issues and trends.
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
Career Resources
- Law Society of Ontario
- Federation of Law Societies of Canada
- National Committee on Accreditation
- Canadian Bar Association
- Canadian Criminal Justice Association
- Canadian Forum on Civil Justice
- Canadian Council on International Law
- Universal Declaration on Human Rights, United Nations
- Amnesty International (Canada)
Check out more resources available in the Career Centre and through Navigator.
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 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 the historical development of cultural diversity and multiculturalism policies in Canada.
- Understand and examine the philosophy behind human rights principles, human rights within Canada and their impact on public policy.
- 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.
Critical Thinking & 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.
What Some Recent Grads Are Doing
Graduation Year: 2018
- Studying Law -- 3 grads
- Development Officer for an NGO -- 2 grads
- Social Work
- Human Resources Assistant -- 2 grads
- Policy Intern, Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
- Junior Program Officer, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- Integration Program Officer at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- ESL Instructor, Korea
Graduation Year: 2017
- Sociology (MA), Memorial University
- Globalization (MA), McMaster University
- Canvasser for human rights and humanitarian organizations
- Globalization and International Development (MA), University of Ottawa
- Human Resources Professional
- Federal Government of Canada Intern
- Immigration and Settlement Studies (MA), Ryerson University
Graduation Year: 2016
- Salvation Army, working with homeless individuals
- MA in Public Policy (University of Toronto)
- MA in Globalization Studies (McMaster)
- Working for city of Kitchener
- MA in International Development (Ottawa)
- MA in Sociology (McMaster)
- Account Manager in private business
- Charitable Events Coordinator at a hospital
- Co-op Strategist at a community college
- Content engagement specialist
- Equity Mobilizer with a union
- Studying human resources at Conestoga College
- Commercial Director at a human resources firm
- Health and Safety Coordinator in food industry (completed Human resources as part of BA)
- MA in Religion and Culture (Laurier)
Graduation Year: 2015
- MA in Criminology (Ottawa).
- Human Resources Management (Conestoga).
- Specialty sales representative with a travel company.
- MA in Globalization Studies (McMaster).
- Community Outreach and Organizing intern with an NGO.
- MA in Social Justice and Community Engagement (Laurier).
- MA in International Public Policy (Laurier).
- Human resources assistant with an auto parts manufacturer.
Graduation Year: 2014
- Staff, Ontario Disability Support Program.
- MA in Human Rights and International Relations, Roehampton University (London, UK).
- MA in Media and Communications, Bournemouth University (UK).
- Wholesale professional.
- Human resources intern.
- Campaign leader for a fundraising organization.
- Community placement program assistant with an Ontario municipality.
Graduation Year: 2013
- Master of Divinity (Trinity College, University of Toronto).
- MA in Gender Studies and Feminist Research (McMaster).
- Specialty group facilitator, YMCA.
- Law (LLB) at University of Windsor.
- Communications coordinator with a development NGO based in Hamilton, ON.
- MA in International Development at Dalhousie University. Now working for an NGO in Brantford.
- Admissions and Recruitment, Laurier.
- Computer hardware management analyst.
- Event manager.
Public Sector
- www.canada.ca: Includes information about the federal government's general postsecondary recruitment program as well as about internships.
- Ontario Public Service Careers: This site is useful for looking for full-time jobs or for looking ahead to think about the kinds of qualifications you need for particular careers.
Not-For-Profit Sector
- Charity Village: Jobs with non-profit organizations. Canadian site.
- 211Ontario: Not directly a jobs site, but useful for locating nonprofits/community organizations in Ontario.
- Idealist.org: A good site for jobs and internships with nonprofits in Canada and internationally.
- The Communication Initiative Network: Look under "Classifieds" and click "Vacancies" for jobs in the communications field, many with an international and social justice focus.
International Organizations
Compiled below are the results of some research on careers in the UN and other international organizations. The Human Rights and Human Diversity program cannot vouch for the veracity of these sources and only provides them for informational purposes.
Book
- Jorge Chediek, "Careers in International Organizations" and Alf Ivar Blikberg, "Starting Out at the United Nations," in Maria Pinto Carland and Candace Farber, Careers in International Affairs (8th ed.) (Washington, D.C: Georgetown University Press, 2008). On reserve in the Laurier Brantford collection on one-day loan. Call number: JZ 1238 U6 C37 2008.
Online Guides
- Getting a job at the UN: Blog by Mark Overman. Has lots of useful links embedded in it.
- International Organization Careers (US State Department): Section titled "Students and Young Professionals" has links to tons of sites with internship programs.
- Job Seekers: UN Secretariat
- How to Get a Job With the United Nations: WikiHow. Contains links to many UN job sites as well as tips.
Job Sites
- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Site lists jobs with the UN related to human rights around the world. You're probably not qualified right now, but reading the ads gives you an idea of what you need to do to get from here to there.
- UNICEF: Employment
- United Nations Development Program
Please note that most internships at or working with the UN are unpaid and highly competitive. Please speak to the HRHD program coordinator for ideas on how to increase your chances.
Here are some organizations that have hosted internships related to the United Nations:
- United Nations
- International Idea Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
- Women's International League for Peace & Freedom
- Mennonite Central Committee
- Oxfam International
- In general, search using '"NGO" and "status with UN in New York'"
General Job Resources
- TalentEgg: Hatching Graduate Careers.
- Careercruising: An online career guidance resource for the North American marketplace for which Laurier has a subscription (login: wlu and password: laurier). If you have questions about Careercruising or would like assistance in job searching or researching career options, please consult Laurier's Career Development Centre.
- LinkedIn.com: Another great website to search for job ads.
- Jobpostings.ca
Further Study
Many professional programs (e.g., Law, Social Work, Business, Public Administration) do not require any specific program of undergraduate education. Others are generally more insistent that students have an undergraduate degree in their own or a closely related discipline (e.g., History, English, Psychology, Sociology). Of course, this won't be a problem for you because you must combine your HRHD Honours program with one of the other Honours programs we offer at Laurier Brantford.
Listed below are some programs that appear to fit particularly well with the aims of Human Rights and Human Diversity.
University Programs: Master's and PhD
- Applied Politics (MAP), Wilfrid Laurier University
- Communication and Social Justice (MA), Windsor
- Conflict Analysis and Management (MA), Royal Roads University (Victoria, BC)
- Conflict Studies and Human Rights (MA), Utrecht
- Ethics, Peace and Global Affairs (MA), American University, Washington DC
- European Master's Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation, various partner universities
- Gender and Diversity Stream in Political Science PhD Program, Carleton University
- Global Affairs (MA) Munk School of Global Governance, University of Toronto
- Global Affairs with a Concentration in Human Rights (MS), Rutgers
- Global Governance (MA and PhD), Balsillie School of International Affairs (Waterloo, ON)
- Globalization and International Development Studies (MA) University of Ottawa
- Globalization Studies (MA), MacMaster University
- Human Rights (LLM), University of Aberdeen
- Human Rights (MA), University College London
- Human Rights (MA), University of Manitoba
- Human Rights and Conflict Management (MA), Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (Pisa, Italy). English is the language of instruction.
- Human Rights and Criminal Justice (LLM), University of Aberdeen
- Human Rights and Cultural Diversity (MA), Essex (UK)
- Human Rights and International Politics (MSc), University of Glasgow
- Human Rights and International Relations (MA), University of Roehampton, London
- Human Rights Studies (MA), Columbia University
- Human Rights and Social Justice (MA), London Metropolitan University
- Human Rights Under Pressure (PhD), Free University of Berlin and Hebrew University of Jerusalem (offered in New York City)
- Human Security and Peacebuilding (MA), Royal Roads University (Victoria, BC)
- Immigration and Settlement Studies (MA), Ryerson
- Industrial Relations and Human Resources (MIRHR and PhD), University of Toronto. This site includes a list of 'recommended' courses to take in preparation for this interdisciplinary Masters degree. There are, however, no specific requirements beyond a four-year honours degree.
- International Affairs (MA), Columbia University
- International Crimes, Conflict, and Criminology (MSc), University of Amsterdam (in English; need social science BA, not just Criminology)
- International Crime and Justice (MA), New York University
- International Development Studies (MA), Dalhousie
- International Peace and Conflict Resolution (MA), American University, Washington D.C.
- International Public Policy (MA), Wilfrid Laurier University
- International Relations (MA)(online), American University Washington
- Irish Centre for Human Rights (MA and PhD), Galway. Offers MAs and PhD programs related to human rights.
- Local Economic Development (M), University of Waterloo
- Peace and Conflict Studies (MA), University of Waterloo
- Public Administration (MPA), Queen's
- Public and International Affairs (MA), York (Glendon Campus)
- Public Service (MPS), University of Waterloo
- Policy Studies (PhD), Ryerson University. Includes a stream in Immigration Settlement and Diaspora Policies.
- Social Justice and Community Engagement (MA), Laurier
- Social Justice and Equity Studies (MA), Brock University
- Social Work (HBSW) Lakehead (Barrie) Accelerated 1-year program for people holding a degree.
- Social Work (MSW), Laurier
- Social Work (MSW), Windsor
- Socio-Legal Studies (MA and PhD), York University (Toronto)
- Understanding and Securing Human Rights (MA), University of London. (This program has a competitive scholarship called the Routledge Studentship. It is open to students from Commonwealth countries and it is worth £12,000.)
University Programs: Professional Programs
College Graduate Certificate Programs and Similar
The programs in the following Ontario lists are typically two to three semesters for people who have completed a degree. However, not all programs associated with these links are graduate certificate programs. Read carefully.
- Community and Social Service Management, Conestoga
- Event Management
- Fundraising and Development
- Government Relations, Seneca College
- Human Resources Management, Conestoga
- International Development, Humber
- Paralegal
- Professional Writing and Communications, Humber
- Project Management
- Public Relations
- Social Media Marketing, Conestoga
Training and Credentials
Scholarships for Graduate Study
- Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund: Scholarship for Canadian Students Pursuing Graduate Studies in the United Kingdom
- Rotary Peace Fellowships: Funding for MA studies
Graduate Internships
The following sites may sometimes list graduate internships. The Entering the Workforce links above may also list graduate internships.