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Experience Guide
Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.
Year-to-Year Experience Guides
The following is a year-to-year outline of the kinds of experiences that work well with your program.
- Mathematics Math Click this tab to view content pertaining to Mathematics
- Financial Math FinMa Click this tab to view content pertaining to Financial Math
- Graduate Grad Click this tab to view content pertaining to Graduate
Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities
First Year
- Take required Mathematics courses and explore other programs of interest.
- Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Investigate the learning supports offered through Mathematics and Statistics (MaSt) Learning Support.
- Live in the Faculty of Science Residence Learning Community to extend opportunities for learning and development beyond the classroom.
- Apply for the Math Mentoring Program for additional support in your courses.
- Earn the Writing Certificate.
Middle Years
- Explore courses in related areas of study and think about a minor or an option to complement your degree.
- Consider taking Entrepreneurship in Science course and explore the Science Maker Lab.
- Apply for a FOSSA grant to attend a conference or purchase lab supplies for your research.
- Start planning for your fourth-year seminar and select either a research or communications stream.
- Look for research opportunities and networking events through the MS2Discovery Interdisciplinary Research Institute or in the Mathematics department.
- Participate in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition.
Final Year
- Apply for Instructional Assistantship or marker/proctor positions in Mathematics.
- Register in the Honours Mathematics seminar and select an interesting topic of study or research.
- Thinking of pursuing graduate school?
- Talk to your professors and connect with the Career Centre.
- Sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop or book a writing consultation for help with your funding proposals.
Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience
First Year
- Attend O-Week events.
- Join student clubs such as the Laurier Club of Computing, Physics and Mathematics (PHI), Faculty of Science Students’ Association (FOSSA) or a special interest club. Or create your own!
- Participate in events and skills-based workshops with your residence or off-campus LOCUS community.
- Explore your interests by volunteering on campus with Accessible Learning's Note-taking Program, Global Engagement, Wellness Education, the Sustainability Office and more.
- Join intramural or club sports, participate in recreational activities and attend varsity games.
- Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils, House Council and the Leadership Certificate.
Middle Years
- Seek part-time employment or volunteer opportunities in the Mathematics department or with Mathematics and Statistics Learning Support.
- Participate in the Laurier Student Poll with data collection and market research.
- Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
- Learn about media and grow your professional skills through involvement in WLU Student Publications.
- Connect with local organizations to learn about volunteer opportunities.
Final Year
- Apply for an executive/coordinator position with a student club or committee.
- Look into the StartUp Lab opportunities for support in launching a new venture.
- Attend the Canadian Undergraduate Mathematics Conference (CUMC) or the Applied Mathematics, Modeling and Computational Science (AMMCS) conference.
- Join professional associations such as the Canadian Mathematical Society, Statistical Society of Canada, Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics, or the Canadian Applied and Industrial Mathematics Society.
- Share your Laurier experience with prospective students at open house events.
Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective
First Year
- Get involved with the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Visit Global Engagement to learn about international options available to you.
- Complete the Intercultural Certificate with Global Engagement.
- Engage in training on body sovereignty, consent, bystander intervention and disclosure provided through Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support.
Middle Years
- Consider enroling in a language course.
- Volunteer with the WUSC committee, ISOW or become a Global Engagement Student Ambassador.
- Study abroad for an academic term.
- Complete the Diversity Certificate.
- Participate in Laurier's language and culture sharing programs.
Final Year
- Consider Alternative Reading Week trips and international faculty-led trips.
- Participate in Indigenization events from the Office of Indigenous Initiatives.
- Earn your Certificate in Accessibility with Accessible Learning.
Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities
First Year
- Take required Mathematics courses and explore other programs of interest.
- Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Investigate the learning supports offered through the Mathematics and Statistics (MaSt) Learning Support.
- Apply for the Math Mentoring Program for additional support in your courses.
- Live in the Faculty of Science Residence Learning Community to extend opportunities for learning and development beyond the classroom.
- Apply for the Math Mentoring Program for additional support in your courses.
- Earn the Writing Certificate.
Middle Years
- Explore courses in related areas of study and think about a minor or an option to complement your degree.
- Consider taking the Entrepreneurship in Science course and explore the Science Maker Lab.
- Apply for a FOSSA grant to attend a conference.
- Look for research opportunities through the MS2Discovery Interdisciplinary Research Institute or in the Mathematics department.
- Participate in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition.
Final Year
- Apply for Instructional Assistantship or marker/proctor positions in Mathematics.
- Learn about the Honours Mathematics seminar and select an interesting topic of study or research.
- Thinking of pursuing graduate school?
- Talk to your professors and connect with the Career Centre.
- Sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop or book a writing consultation for help with your funding proposals.
Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience
First Year
- Attend O-Week events.
- Join student clubs such as the Laurier Computing Society, Laurier Investment and Finance Association (LIFA), Faculty of Science Students’ Association (FOSSA) or a special interest club. Or create your own!
- Participate in events and skills-based workshops with your residence or off-campus LOCUS community.
- Explore your interests by volunteering on campus with Accessible Learning's Note-taking Program, Global Engagement, Wellness Education, the Sustainability Office and more.
- Join intramural or club sports, participate in recreational activities and attend varsity games.
- Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils, House Council and the Leadership Certificate.
Middle Years
- Seek part-time employment or volunteer opportunities in the Mathematics department or with Mathematics and Statistics Learning Support.
- Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
- Connect with local organizations to learn about volunteer opportunities.
- Learn about media and grow your professional skills through involvement in WLU Student Publications.
- Participate in the Laurier Student Poll with data collection and market research.
- Share your Laurier experience with prospective students at open house events.
Final Year
- Apply for an executive/coordinator position with a student club or committee.
- Look into the StartUp Lab opportunities for support in launching a new venture.
- Attend the Canadian Undergraduate Mathematics Conference (CUMC) or the Applied Mathematics, Modeling and Computational Science (AMMCS) conference.
- Get involved with the Professional Risk Managers’ International Association (PRMIA) and the Society of Actuaries to learn about the ASA and FSA designations.
- Join professional associations that align with your career interests.
Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective
First Year
- Get involved with the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Visit Global Engagement to learn about international options available to you.
- Complete the Intercultural Certificate with Global Engagement.
- Engage in training on body sovereignty, consent, bystander intervention and disclosure provided through Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support.
Middle Years
- Consider enroling in a language course.
- Volunteer with the WUSC committee, ISOW or become a Global Engagement Student Ambassador.
- Study abroad for an academic term.
- Complete the Diversity Certificate.
- Participate in Laurier's language and culture sharing programs.
Final Year
- Consider the Alternative Reading Week trips and international faculty-led trips.
- Participate in Indigenization events from the Office of Indigenous Initiatives.
- Earn your Certificate in Accessibility with Accessible Learning.
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.
Checklists
Completing the checklists below will also help ensure your academic, professional, and personal success during your time at Laurier – and beyond.
Academic Success Checklist
- Plan for a successful degree path by meeting with your academic advisor and reviewing your progression requirements on MyDegree.
- Connect with your professors during their office hours.
- Discover the Library – librarians can help you find and evaluate scholarly information for your assignments.
- Complete the Academic Integrity module in MyLearningSpace and learn about Research Data Management from the Library.
- Utilize the Online Assignment Planner.
- Book a career consulting appointment to explore career options.
- Complete the Student Awards scholarship and bursary applications on LORIS.
- Access the Wellness Centre for emotional, mental and physical health services.
- Connect with Student Success Services to develop learning, study and time management skills to become a better student and complete the Academic Skills (ASk) Certificate.
- Attend a Writing Services workshop or book a writing appointment through the Student Success Portal.
- Participate in Further Education Week to learn about postgraduate programs.
- Apply to graduate and attend convocation to celebrate your success.
Experience Checklist
- Volunteer with the Students’ Union (e.g., Foot Patrol, EcoHawks, Peer Connect, Food Bank, Emergency Response Team, Shinerama).
- Have your resumé and LinkedIn profile reviewed by Career Centre staff.
- Apply for on-campus jobs (e.g., Mathematics and Statistics Learning Support, Residence, Bookstore, Accessible Learning tutor, and more).
- Enhance your money management skills and confidence by completing the Dollars and Sense Money Management Certificate.
- Attend the Career and Job Fairs to network with employers.
- Earn your Career Development Certificate.
- Create a profile on Ten Thousand Coffees to connect with Laurier alumni.
- Earn the Wellness Education Certificate.
- Feed your curiosity and ideas through exploration in Laurier's innovation and makerspaces.
- Reflect on your co-curricular experiences for your Laurier Experience Record.
- Network with alumni at career events to gain insight into possible career paths.
- Apply to jobs through Navigator for summer, part-time or full-time work after graduation.
Career Opportunities
When you're ready to start thinking about your life after graduation, you should check out the career and postgraduate options for people with degrees in Mathematics or Financial Mathematics.