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Careers

Discover Career Opportunities

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • cartographer
  • census geographer/demographer
  • community development/fundraiser
  • ecologist
  • economic development planner
  • environmental planner
  • field technician
  • forestry/park ranger
  • geological lab assistant
  • GIS specialist
  • industrial consultant
  • land use planner/surveyor
  • map analyst
  • market research analyst
  • natural resource officer
  • professor
  • public policy analyst
  • recreational program coordinator
  • resource conservation specialist
  • surveyor/mapping specialist
  • sustainability officer
  • teacher
  • tourism consultant
  • TV/news science reporter
  • urban planner
  • water resource specialist

Sample Industries / Types of Employers

  • agricultural companies
  • civil engineering firms
  • educational institutions
  • environmental consultants
  • environmental protection firms
  • geographic consulting firms
  • geological surveyors
  • government
  • heritage/historic sites
  • international development agencies
  • mining/resource companies
  • parks/recreation departments
  • pollution control companies
  • real estate/construction
  • resource management organizations
  • science magazines/TV shows
  • transportation companies
  • travel/tourism industry
  • urban/regional planning firms
  • waste disposal companies

Career Resources

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

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.

60 Geography and Environmental Studies Graduates:

  • Employed: 68%
  • Pursuing Further Education: 28%
  • Other: 4%

Sample Jobs within the First Year After Graduation

  • conservation technician
  • data analyst
  • environmental technician
  • GIS analyst
  • GIS technician

Sample Further Education Programs within the First Year After Graduation

  • Master’s degree: Earth Science, Geography, Planning, Environmental Sustainability.
  • College program: GIS Application Specialist, Ecosystem Management Technology, Event Management.
  • Bachelor's degree: Education.

Careers of Alumni Two-Five Years After Graduation

  • community engagement and sustainability planner
  • ecosystem management technologist
  • GIS and statistical analyst
  • legislative assistant
  • mining technologist
  • public health consultant
  • risk management inspector

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

  • Understand the impact of geography on economic, political, cultural, and historical development.
  • Develop an awareness of issues such as climate change, population trends, globalization and resource management.
  • Interpret and apply scientific principles, relevant legislation, policies and guidelines to environmental, corporate and industrial resource management practices.
  • Observe and measure the use of earth resources through time to understand changing environments.
  • Understand the principles of resource management and the impact of development/tourism on the environment.
  • Gain an understanding of techniques related to conservation and effective land management, and plan for the optimal use of space and environment.
  • Apply technical skills (cartography and GIS) as well as field and laboratory techniques to interpret and use relevant scientific information/data in planning and development.
  • Gather, assess and interpret the economic/environmental impact of environmental changes.
  • 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.

Discover Career Opportunities

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

Environmental Studies graduates can work in the areas of environmental assessment, research and monitoring, land-use planning, parks and protected areas, resource management and policy-making.

  • chief ecologist
  • community developer/fundraiser
  • ecologist
  • economic development planner
  • environmental consultant
  • environmental officer
  • environmental planner
  • field technician
  • forestry/park ranger
  • industrial consultant
  • land use planner/surveyor
  • map analyst
  • market research analyst
  • natural resource officer
  • outdoor education teacher
  • professor
  • public policy analyst
  • recreational program coordinator
  • resource conservation specialist
  • surveyor/mapping scientist
  • sustainability officer
  • teacher
  • tourism consultant
  • TV/news science reporter
  • urban planner
  • water efficiency assistant
  • water resources specialist

Sample Industries/Types of Employers

  • agricultural companies
  • civil engineering firms
  • educational institutions
  • environmental consulting firms
  • environmental protection firms
  • government
  • heritage/historic sites
  • international development agencies
  • mining/resource companies
  • parks/protected areas
  • pollution control companies
  • real estate/construction
  • resource management organizations
  • science magazines/TV shows
  • transportation companies
  • travel/tourism industry
  • urban/regional planning firms

Career Resources

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

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 Environmental Studies Graduates:

  • Employed: 60%
  • Pursuing Further Education: 35%
  • Other: 5%

Sample Jobs within the First Year After Graduation

  • environmental program coordinator
  • fish and wildlife planner
  • laboratory assistant
  • special projects coordinator

Sample Further Education Programs within the First Year After Graduation

  • Master’s degree: Environmental Studies, Geography, Urban Development.
  • College program: Environmental Planning, Environmental Management and Assessment, Financial Technology, Insurance, Project Management.

Careers of Alumni Two-Five Years After Graduation

  • director of operations
  • energy resource analyst
  • environmental scientist
  • health and safety coordinator
  • policy officer
  • resource planner
  • sustainability consultant

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

  • Understand the relationship between humans and the natural environment by studying both natural and social sciences.
  • Develop an awareness of issues such as sustainability in management of land and water, the formulation of environmental policy and how environmental management decisions can be improved to ensure a healthy future for humans and the environment.
  • Interpret and apply scientific principles, relevant legislation, policies and guidelines to environmental, corporate and industrial resource management practices.
  • Observe and measure the use of earth resources through time to understand changing environments.
  • Understand the principles of resource management and the impact of development/tourism on the environment.
  • Gain an understanding of techniques related to conservation and effective land management, and plan for the optimal use of space and environment.
  • Apply technical skills (cartography and GIS) as well as field and laboratory techniques to interpret and use relevant scientific information/data in planning and development.
  • Gather, assess and interpret the economic and environmental impacts of environmental changes.
  • 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.