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Geography (BA or BSc)
Experience and Career Guide

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you and learning about the many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world. There are so many opportunities to learn, lead, and embrace new opportunities all while having an exceptional student experience.

In this Guide

Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.

Year-to-Year Academic Experience Co-Curricular Opportunities Knowledge and Skills Career Options and Graduate Outcomes

Your Year-to-Year Experience

Enhance your academic experience by learning about the opportunities available in your program.

Explore Co-Curricular Experiences

Participate in co-curricular experiences to complement your Laurier
academic journey and gain meaningful learning opportunities.

As a Geography student, you can: 

  • Join student clubs such as the Geography and Environmental Studies Students' Association (GESSA) and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
  • Volunteer in the community at a school or a non-profit organization.
  • Build important networks through educational outreach and environmental work in the community (e.g., REEP Green Solutions, rare Charitable Research Reserve, Sustainability Waterloo Region, Waterloo Region Nature club).
  • Join the Canadian Association of Geographers as a student member.
  • Provide environmental assistance to outside advisory panels (e.g., Laurel Creek Citizens’ Working Group).
  • Apply for funding for a sustainable initiative on campus through the Sustainable Hawk Fund.

Outside of your program, there are many co-curricular opportunities for you to participate in. 

Design Your Degree

These are a few popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge. See undergraduate options, minors and courses for more information.
  • Geomatics option or certificate
  • Sustainability option
  • Community Engagement option

Geography program options:

  • Complete a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Geography or a BA in Geography in combination with another Honours BA program.
  • Complete a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Geography, a BSc in Geography and Geomatics, or a BSc in Geography and Archaeology.

 

Develop Your Knowledge and Skills

As a Laurier student, you will develop the following competencies through your curricular and co-curricular experiences.

Competency Framework

Competencies are categories of transferrable skills that appear on your online Experience Record to help you reflect on what you've learned from your experiences. The competencies include: 

  • Adaptability and Resiliency
  • Collaboration and Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Critical Thinking
  • Digital Literacy
  • Diversity and Intercultural Understanding
  • Functional Knowledge
  • Leadership
  • Problem Solving
  • Professional Attributes
  • Self-Awareness

Functional Knowledge

  • Understand the impact of geography on economic, political, cultural and historical development, and 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.
  • Develop real-world knowledge and applied skills highly desired by employers, including the use of Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and aerial drones.

Discover Career Options

All your experiences at Laurier can help you prepare for your future. Attend Career Centre events and workshops or book a career consulting appointment to explore career and further education options.
%
Pursuing Further Education
%
Employed

12 Geography respondents from the 2023 Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by the Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation.

Alumni Careers and Pathways

Sample Further Education Programs Within the First Year After Graduation

  • Master’s Degree - Geography, Earth Science, Environmental Sustainability
  • College Program - GIS Applications Specialist, Public Relations
  • Bachelor's Degree - Education

Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation

  • account manager
  • conservation authority operations
  • geographical information systems technician
  • office clerk
  • program officer
  • survey field assistant
  • topographic surveyor

Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation

  • data analyst
  • ecosystem management technologist
  • environmental scientist
  • environmental underwriter
  • ​GIS and statistical analyst
  • planner
  • public health consultant
  • risk management inspector​
  • teacher
  • water and wastewater management supervisor

Career Options and Resources

Need some guidance on what you can do with your degree? Discover some career options and find resources to help guide you. 

Career and Industry Options

  • agriculture
  • cartography
  • conservation
  • consulting
  • education/teaching
  • environmental planning
  • geology
  • geospatial intelligence
  • government
  • journalism/media
  • public policy
  • real estate
  • research
  • resource management
  • sustainability
  • tourism/travel
  • transportation
  • urban planning

Career Resources

Your Experiences Tell Your Story

Share your story through your Laurier Experience Record. An interactive, shareable and official record of your hands-on experiences and learning opportunities at Laurier – the first of its kind in Canada!



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