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Career Planning and Research

Successful career development is a life-long process, with rewarding careers emerging from embracing opportunities and careful planning. Taking the time to both reflect and act on where you want to go personally and professionally will aid you in being more aware of your potential career options, resulting in a more informed choice following graduation.

Backed by the Career Centre's team of professional Career Consultants, our mission is to help Laurier students navigate the fluidity of career prospects and planning. 

The Career Planning Process

Career planning involves self-awareness, career awareness, career immersion, goal setting and employment preparation. 

At the Career Centre we believe that the major you choose or the career you seek should represent positive steps in your path to a rewarding future. When you understand yourself and are informed about your options, you will have the tools to make choices that will enable you to be successful in whichever career direction you aspire.

Take the next steps with our guidance at an individual appointment or Career Planning workshop. 

Volunteering

If you are uncertain about your career path or have not had the opportunity to gain paid experience in your chosen career field, volunteering can be a tremendous source of information and experience!

Research Prospective Careers

Career research is not just about finding a job – it's about finding the right job that aligns with your passions, skills, and goals! Most of us can only describe a handful of career options, yet there are thousands of available careers within the world of work. 

By opening up your mind to the range of potential career options available, you can liberate yourself to think about jobs, environments and industries that may present exciting opportunities for your future. 

Consider these questions when conducting career research:

  • What are the key or main responsibilities of this type of job?
  • What are the requirements for this job (education, experience, skills)?
  • What are the conditions of this job (setting, hours, wages, remote or in-person)?
  • What is the outlook for this job, career or industry?

Laurier Graduate Survey Report

Each year the Career Centre surveys Laurier grads to learn information such as employment rate, career choices and further education choices. View the report to learn about average starting salaries and where grads go during their first year after Laurier.

Online Resources

  • Career Cruising (contact the Career Centre for the username and password).
  • Job Bank: explore careers with the Government of Canada's career tool.
  • The Future of Jobs Report 2025: how jobs and skills will evolve over the next five years.
  • SparkPath Challenge Cards: discover the challenges that you want to work on. Find sign-up details in Navigator.
  • My World Abroad: a comprehensive resource for students considering volunteering or working abroad. Access through Navigator.

Career Resource Centre

The Laurier Career Resource Centre contains comprehensive career-related information including career options, employer directories, labour market information, further education information and application supports, graduate admission test resources and job search, resumé and interview preparation resources.

Explore the resources to help you with prepare for your future: 

  • Waterloo: 192 King Street North
  • Brantford: OM206-40, One Market

Resources can be borrowed overnight with a $10 deposit with the exception of any resources marked "Reference."