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.
First Year
- Take required science and math courses.
- Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Investigate the learning supports offered through the Mathematics and Statistics Learning Labs.
- Live in the Faculty of Science Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success.
- Attend departmental seminars to hear about current research from faculty members and invited speakers.
- Check out classroom info screens and department notice boards for important information and events in the department.
- Earn the Writing Certificate.
Middle Years
- Look for summer research opportunities and apply for a FOSSA Research Scholarship and/or NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award to get funding.
- Consider taking Science Entrepreneurship courses and explore the Science Maker Lab.
- Consider applying to complete a thesis in fourth year.
- Be involved in the research activity at the Centre for Cold Regions and Water Science.
- Take your Field Methods courses to prepare for fieldwork experiences.
- Apply for the Ontario University Program in Field Biology to complete fieldwork courses in Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, British Columbia, Africa or the Caribbean.
Final Year
- Apply for a FOSSA grant to attend a conference or purchase lab supplies for your research.
- Learn about Research and Instructional Assistantship opportunities.
- 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.
First Year
- Attend O-Week events.
- Join student clubs such as the Laurier Water Science Student Association (WSSA), Faculty of Science Student Association (FOSSA), Laurier Biology Association 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 Programs, Laurier International, 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 student-representative positions in the department such as Department in Council, Faculty of Science Divisional Council.
- 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 campus sustainability projects (e.g., Zero Waste Week, workshops, Northdale Community Garden).
- Apply for funding for a sustainable initiative on campus through the Sustainable Hawk Fund.
- Participate in Sandbox workshops and attend the Entrepreneur Speaker series.
Final Year
- Apply for an executive/coordinator position with a student club or committee.
- Attend an undergraduate research conference or participate in poster conferences and World Water Day events.
- Look into the StartUp Lab program for the opportunity to launch an innovative new venture.
- Participate in provincial, national or international scientific conferences as part of a faculty member-led research team.
- Share your Laurier experience with prospective students at open house events.
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
- Be involved in advocacy work for the water sector.
- Gather for Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
- Become a Global Engagement Student Ambassador.
- Study abroad for an academic term.
- 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.
Checklists
Completing the checklists below will also help ensure your academic, professional, and personal success during your time at Laurier – and beyond.
- 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 and 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.
- Volunteer with the Students’ Union (e.g., Foot Patrol, EcoHawks, Food Bank, Emergency Response Team, Shinerama).
- Have your resumé and LinkedIn profile in the Career Centre.
- Apply for on-campus jobs (e.g., Athletics and Recreation, Bookstore, Library, Residence, Accessible Learning tutor, 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 laurier.tenthousandcoffees.com 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.
- Bring your ideas to life in Laurier’s Library Makerspace or Science Maker Lab.
- 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 a degree in Water Science and Environmental Health.