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Careers

Discover Career Opportunities

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • caseworker
  • career counsellor
  • child protection worker
  • community outreach worker
  • disaster relief worker
  • diversity consultant
  • group worker
  • medical social worker
  • mental health counsellor
  • parole officer
  • policy analyst/advisor
  • program coordinator
  • program planner
  • rehabilitation counsellor
  • residential care case manager
  • respite worker
  • sexual assault counsellor
  • social worker
  • support group facilitator
  • volunteer coordinator
  • wellness coordinator

Sample Industries / Types of Employers

  • alternative dispute resolutions organizations
  • boards of education
  • colleges/universities
  • community health centres
  • correctional facilities
  • counselling centres
  • employee assistance plan providers
  • family and children’s services
  • family health teams
  • government agencies
  • hospitals
  • international development organizations
  • long-term care facilities
  • medical clinics
  • mental health centres
  • planning councils
  • social service agencies

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.

80 Social Work (BSW) Graduates:

  • Employed: 63.4%
  • Pursuing Further Education: 34.1%
  • Other: 2.4%

Sample Jobs within the First Year After Graduation

  • caseworker
  • child protection worker
  • education resource worker
  • frontline counsellor
  • residence life coordinator
  • shelter support worker
  • social worker

Sample Further Education Programs within the First Year After Graduation

  • Master's Degree: Social Work, Library and Information Science, Occupational Therapy, Public Administration.
  • College Program: Concurrent Disorders, Early Childhood Education, Human Resources.

Careers of Alumni Two-Five Years After Graduation

  • community recreation coordinator
  • mental health counsellor
  • non-profit consultant
  • residence care aide
  • social worker
  • supervisor, special care unit
  • transplant resource specialist

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

  • Develop an understanding of human and environmental factors and processes that influence social functioning in contemporary life.
  • Understand major social problems and strengths in the history of social welfare and in current Canadian and international social welfare policies and programs.
  • Gain an awareness of current social, community and ethical issues and relevant policies, as well as knowledge and skills, which contribute to constructive, institutional change and development.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the impact of government policies, economic inequities and ideologies related to culture, class, gender and race on individuals and communities.
  • Demonstrate the interpersonal competency to combine self-insight with critical analysis of one’s role as a social worker in order to give fair consideration to the impact of power relations and identity in the practice of social work.
  • 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 

  • Apply critical thinking and reflective analysis in the interest of social justice.
  • 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.