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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.
While your Laurier experience will look different in a remote environment, many of the experiences below are being offered virtually. The links below will be updated as virtual offerings are confirmed.
- Computer Science Comp Click this tab to view content pertaining to Computer Science
- Physics Phys Click this tab to view content pertaining to Physics
- Graduate Grad Click this tab to view content pertaining to Graduate
Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities
First Year
- Take core Computer Science and Mathematics courses and explore other programs of interest.
- Learn about Computer Science co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Attend the Physics and Computer Science seminar series.
- Investigate the learning supports offered through the Mathematics and Statistics Learning Labs.
- Earn the Writing Certificate.
- Consider taking Science Entrepreneurship courses and explore the Science Maker Lab.
Middle Years
- Complete Computer Science core courses in programming, digital electronics, data structures, algorithm design and analysis, software engineering, mathematics and statistics.
- Explore courses in related areas of study and begin thinking about a minor or an option to complement your degree.
- Learn about the Professional Experience Program – apply at the end of your second year.
- Look for summer research opportunities in a faculty member’s lab or the Centre for Women in Science and apply for a FOSSA Research Scholarship and/or the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) to get funding.
- Meet with potential supervisors to learn about directed-studies research projects for your final year.
Final Year
- Learn about Instructional Assistantship opportunities in Computer Science.
- Participate in the Undergraduate Capstone Open Source Projects (UCOSP), where you will work with students from universities across Canada.
- Thinking of pursuing graduate school?
- Talk to your professors and visit 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 Society of Computing, Physics and Mathematics Club (PHI), Faculty of Science Student Association (FOSSA) or a special interest club in robotics, gaming or science fiction and fantasy. 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, Laurier International, Wellness Education, the Sustainability Office and more.
- Join intramural sports or sport clubs, 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
- Look for employment opportunities in a faculty member's research lab.
- Serve as a student representative on a faculty committee.
- Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
- Seek part-time employment or volunteer opportunities in the Mathematics department or at the Mathematics & Statistics Learning Labs.
- Connect with local organizations to learn about volunteer opportunities.
- Learn to write articles, draw illustrations or take photographs with Laurier’s weekly newspaper, The Cord.
- Participate in Sandbox workshops and attend the Entrepreneur Speaker series.
Final Year
- Apply for an executive/coordinator position with a student club or committee.
- Join professional associations such as the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS), the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society, or the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).
- Participate in competitions (e.g., Communitech Waterloo Hacks, Waterloo Codefest or the Great Canadian Appathon).
- Look into the LaunchPad program for the opportunity to launch an innovative new venture.
- 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 Laurier International to learn about international options available to you.
- Complete the Intercultural Certificate with Laurier International.
- Engage in training on consent, bystander intervention and disclosure provided through Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention Support.
Middle Years
- Gather for Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
- Consider enrolling in a language course.
- Study abroad for a term.
- Become a Global Engagement Student Ambassador.
- Complete the Diversity Certificate.
Final Year
- Participate in Indigenous Education Week.
- Earn your Certificate in Accessibility with Accessible Learning.
- Consider the Alternative Reading Week trip with Habitat for Humanity.
Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities
First Year
- Take required courses and explore courses in related areas of study to begin thinking about a minor or an option to complement your degree.
- Investigate the learning supports offered through the Mathematics and Statistics Learning Labs.
- Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Live in the Faculty of Science Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success.
- Earn the Writing Certificate.
Middle Years
- Apply for a FOSSA Research Scholarship or the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) to receive funding for a research position.
- Consider taking Science Entrepreneurship courses and explore the Science Maker Lab.
- Consider doing a self-directed research project in fourth year and approach a faculty member to be your supervisor and to help you develop your topic.
- Learn about Research and Instructional Assistantship opportunities in Physics.
Final Year
- Attend the Canadian Undergraduate Physics Conference or the Canadian Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics.
- Thinking of pursuing graduate school?
- Talk to your professors and visit 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 Society of Computing, Physics and Mathematics Club (PHI), Faculty of Science Student 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, Laurier International, Wellness Education, the Sustainability Office and more.
- Join intramural sports or sport clubs, 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
- Look for summer jobs (e.g., SNOLAB, TRIUMF, FSWEP) or research opportunities at Canadian universities.
- Be involved with the Centre for Women in Science.
- Attend the Physics and Computer Science seminar series.
- Serve as a student representative on a faculty committee.
- Connect with local organizations to learn about volunteer opportunities.
- Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
- Learn to write articles, draw illustrations or take photographs with Laurier’s weekly newspaper, The Cord.
- Participate in Sandbox workshops and attend the Entrepreneur Speaker series.
Final Year
- Apply for an executive/coordinator position with a student club or committee.
- Join the Canadian Association of Physicists as a student member.
- Consider writing the Canadian Association of Physics Professional Practice Exam required for the Professional Physicist certification.
- Look into the LaunchPad program for the opportunity to launch an innovative new venture.
- 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 Laurier International to learn about international options available to you.
- Complete the Intercultural Certificate with Laurier International.
- Engage in training on consent, bystander intervention and disclosure provided through Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention Support.
Middle Years
- Study abroad in the summer or go on an exchange to gain cultural experience and to complete elective courses.
- Gather for Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
- Consider enrolling in a language course.
- Become a Global Engagement Student Ambassador.
- Complete the Diversity Certificate.
Final Year
- Participate in Indigenous Education Week.
- Earn your Certificate in Accessibility with Accessible Learning.
- Consider the Alternative Reading Week trip with Habitat for Humanity.
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.
- Visit 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.
- Visit the Writing & Learning Lab to further enhance your writing, develop learning skills to become a better student and learn how to be successful with difficult courses.
- Attend the Further Education Fair 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, Food Bank, Emergency Response Team, Shinerama).
- Have your resumé and LinkedIn profile reviewed in the Career Centre.
- Apply for on-campus jobs (e.g., Athletics and Recreation, Residence, Bookstore, Accessible Learning tutor, peer programs, and more).
- Enhance your money management skills and confidence by completing the 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.
- Learn to think like an entrepreneur and be a changemaker through opportunities with the Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation.
- Feed your curiosity and ideas through exploration in Laurier’s 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 Physics or Computer Science.