Career Centre Supports for Graduate Students

Whether you’re coming into your graduate studies right out of your undergrad, or you’ve been away from school for some time, Laurier’s Career Centre is here to support you. We can help you explore career options within and outside academic settings, create compelling resumés, CVs and cover letters, learn job search techniques, and more. Your time as a graduate student is busy – let us help you build career skills during your studies so you can move into your professional career with confidence.

We offer customized programming for students in graduate and professional programs and postdoctoral fellows, including career preparation workshops, the Career Development Certificate and Engagement & Employability Certificate for Graduate Students, and individual appointments.

Key Career Tips for Graduate Students:

1. Learn more about yourself.
   You may start with ‘what can I do with my degree?’ but you are much more than your area of study! Work with us to identify skills, values and interests that will help you find the next step in your career journey.
   
   
2. Learn how to articulate your skills.
   One of the key factors to landing a job is how you present yourself. As a graduate student, you have developed highly desirable skills, and it’s important that you develop the ability to present these with confidence on your resumé, in an interview, during networking opportunities, and through social media platforms.
   
   
3. Engage in your community.
   Evidence shows us that your time as a graduate student can be stressful. But you don’t have to pursue success on your own! By engaging in your campus community or your broader community, you can meet new people, make new friends, find balance within your academic and personal interests, and perhaps most importantly, learn about skills, careers and industries you may want to explore further. Consider connecting through volunteering, engaging with the Graduate Students’ Association, exploring professional development with our ASPIRE partners, or attending other Laurier events.
   
   
4. Stay on top of the career services offerings.
   Watch for newsletters, social media campaigns and online resources through Navigator that alert you to new opportunities. Make sure you attend Career Centre events including industry panels, information sessions, employer recruiting events and fairs.
   
   
5. Strengthen your application documents.
   Attend a resumé or CV Writing workshop - it will help you list all of the achievements, experiences and skills you already possess. Have your resumé reviewed during drop-in hours at the Career Centre and be ready for work and volunteer opportunities.
   
   
6. Job postings and employer connections.
   Employers are looking to hire Laurier students for a variety of jobs, including part-time, contract, and full-time roles. Search for job and volunteer postings in Navigator and attend employer events, including recruiting sessions and Job Fair.
   
   
7. Keep us in mind.
   Did you know that career services are a lifetime service available to all Laurier alumni? You can access job postings and resources in Navigator.

Career Development Services and Resources Available for Graduate Students

While you have access to all of the services and resources available through the Career Centre, here are some of the services offered specifically for graduate students.

Appointments and Workshops for Graduate Students

Career consultants are available to help you with career exploration and decision-making. If you would like to have a one-on-one career discussion, please book an appointment through Navigator.

Appointment types include:

• Career Consulting
• Personality and/or Interest Assessments and Debriefs
• Resumé, CV and Cover Letter Writing
• Job Search and Networking Strategies
• Interview Preparation and/or Mock Interviews
• Further Education Information

Customized workshops for Master’s and PhD Students and Postdoctoral Fellows will allow you to explore careers in academia, the public/private sectors, and more. Topics include:

• Career Planning
• Marketing your Transferable Skills
• Resumé and Cover Letter Writing
• Academic CV Writing
• Interview Success Strategies
• Academic Interviews
• Job Search Strategies
• Academic Job Search
• Network with Confidence
• LinkedIn
• Workplace Professionalism

Career Development Certificates for Master's and PhD Students and Postdoctoral Fellows

Successfully transitioning from graduate school into academic or post-academic professions requires a combination of self-reflection and job market awareness, as well the proactive development of career planning and employment preparation skills. The Career Centre offers professionalization workshops and events in each of these areas, with the ultimate aim of supporting your progression into a meaningful career.

Part of the ASPIRE program, the Career Development Certificate is a convenient way to earn while you learn through attending five of the following qualifying Laurier Career Centre workshops:

• Career Planning
• Resumé Writing and Cover Letter Writing or Academic CV Writing
• Job Search Strategies (Academic or Non-academic)
• Interview Success (Academic or Non-Academic)
• LinkedIn