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Careers

Discover Career Opportunities

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • autism therapist
  • camp director/administrator
  • child and youth worker
  • child life specialist
  • children’s advocate
  • community developer
  • developmental services worker
  • early childhood educator
  • guidance counsellor
  • learning consultant
  • literacy program coordinator
  • non-profit program manager
  • occupational therapist
  • psychologist
  • recreation planner
  • social worker
  • support worker
  • teacher
  • volunteer manager
  • youth engagement coordinator
  • youth parole officer

Sample Industries / Types of Employers

  • children’s aid society
  • children’s hospitals
  • children’s museums
  • community organizations
  • educational institutions
  • government agencies/offices
  • libraries
  • media organizations
  • municipal parks and recreation
  • non-profit organizations
  • Ontario EarlyON Child and Family Centres
  • postsecondary institutions
  • public health department
  • research institutes
  • schools
  • tutoring/learning centres

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.

41 Youth and Children's Studies Graduates:

  • Employed: 42.9%
  • Pursuing Further Education: 52.4%
  • Other: 4.8%

Sample Jobs within the First Year After Graduation

  • assistant early childhood educator
  • child and youth worker
  • child intervention caseworker
  • peer support specialist
  • service coordinator
  • support worker

Sample Further Education Programs within the First Year After Graduation

  • Bachelor’s degree: Education.
  • Master’s degree: Child and Youth Studies, Counselling Psychology, Criminology, Education, Social Work.
  • College program: Early Childhood Education, Addictions Treatment and Prevention, Autism and Behavioural Science, Human Resources.

Careers of Alumni Two-Five Years After Graduation

  • early childhood educator
  • human resources coordinator
  • program advisor
  • social worker
  • special education assistant
  • supervisor/case manager

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

  • Integrate and synthesize complex ideas in a multidisciplinary context.
  • Develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the lives of children and youth.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the major themes and changes over time in the history of childhood.
  • Gain experience working with children and/or youth in a community setting through a supervised field placement.
  • Evaluate and analyze research and theory on issues facing children and youth.
  • Use analytical tools from various disciplines to assess current problems, issues and trends affecting children and youth.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the physical, social and psychological development of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
  • 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 

  • 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.
  • Analyze and evaluate data to discuss, support and/or question ideas, opinions, reports, theories and proposals.