Skip to main content

Human Rights (BA)
Experience and Career Guide

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you and learning about the many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world. There are so many opportunities to learn, lead, and embrace new opportunities all while having an exceptional student experience.

In this Guide

Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.

Year-to-Year Academic Experience Co-Curricular Opportunities Knowledge and Skills Career Options and Graduate Outcomes

Your Year-to-Year Experience

Enhance your academic experience by learning about the opportunities available in your program.

Explore Co-Curricular Experiences

Participate in co-curricular experiences to complement your Laurier
academic journey and gain meaningful learning opportunities.

As a Human Rights student, you can: 

  • Join student clubs such as the Human Rights Students' Association, OCOA Projects and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
  • Follow Human Rights @LBHRHD on X (formerly Twitter) to keep up with human rights issues in the news.
  • Join the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA) as a student member.
  • Look for opportunities to build your skills on various social media platforms and Microsoft Office.
  • Consider participating in Youth Leaders on Board, which places student members on the board of directors of non-profits in Brantford, Brant and surrounding communities that are looking for a youth perspective.

Outside of your program, there are many co-curricular opportunities for you to participate in. 

Design Your Degree

These are a few popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge. See undergraduate options, minors and courses for more information.
  • Leadership option
  • Certificate in Non-Profit Career Foundations
  • Certificate in Global Crime and Justice

Develop Your Knowledge and Skills

As a Laurier student, you will develop the following competencies through your curricular and co-curricular experiences.

Competency Framework

Competencies are categories of transferrable skills that appear on your online Experience Record to help you reflect on what you've learned from your experiences. The competencies include: 

  • Adaptability and Resiliency
  • Collaboration and Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Critical Thinking
  • Digital Literacy
  • Diversity and Intercultural Understanding
  • Functional Knowledge
  • Leadership
  • Problem Solving
  • Professional Attributes
  • Self-Awareness

Functional Knowledge

  • Analyze current events and world issues through a human rights lens.
  • Gain an understanding of the historical development of cultural diversity and multiculturalism policies in Canada.
  • Develop an awareness of civil and political rights and the institutions that protect them.
  • Understand and examine the philosophy behind human rights principles, human rights within Canada and their impact on public policy.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the United Nations as an institution of global governance over contemporary issues and how cultural practices interact with international human rights.
  • Combine theory and research to identify root causes of human rights issues.
  • Gain experience with policy analysis papers, grant writing, précis writing, reading legal documents and preparing literature reviews.

Discover Career Options

All your experiences at Laurier can help you prepare for your future. Attend Career Centre events and workshops or book a career consulting appointment to explore career and further education options.
%
Pursuing Further Education
%
Employed

9 Human Rights respondents from the 2023 Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by the Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation.

Alumni Careers and Pathways

Sample Further Education Programs Within the First Year After Graduation

  • JD - Law
  • Master’s Degree - Public Service, Social Work
  • College Program - Paralegal

Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation

  • alternative care resource manager
  • employment consultant
  • outreach and engagement manager
  • talent acquisition business partner
  • residential coordinator

Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation

  • associate account manager
  • commercial director
  • donor engagement coordinator
  • human resources coordinator
  • lawyer
  • policy analyst
  • support counsellor
  • teacher

Career Options and Resources

Need some guidance on what you can do with your degree? Discover some career options and find resources to help guide you. 

Career and Industry Options

  • counselling/social work
  • diplomacy/international relations
  • diversity and inclusion
  • education/teaching
  • employment equity
  • fundraising
  • government
  • human resources
  • humanitarian aid
  • immigration
  • journalism/media
  • law/legal field
  • mediation
  • non-profit/advocacy
  • public policy
  • refugee settlement and support
  • social justice

Career Resources

Your Experiences Tell Your Story

Share your story through your Laurier Experience Record. An interactive, shareable and official record of your hands-on experiences and learning opportunities at Laurier – the first of its kind in Canada!



Share Your Feedback

We'd love to hear from you. Complete the Laurier Experience Guide Feedback Survey to share your thoughts.