In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Take core Computer Science and Mathematics courses and explore other programs of interest.
- Learn about Computer Science co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Attend the Computer Science and Physics Seminar series.
- With the programming skills you develop in your first-year courses, you can start developing projects and building your project portfolio on GitHub. The link to your GitHub repository can be added to your resume to showcase your skills to potential employers.
- Enhance your academic experience at Laurier through professional one-on-one, online and peer-to-peer resources available through Academic Advising and Support.
- Complete Computer Science core courses in programming, digital electronics, data structures, algorithm design and analysis, software engineering, mathematics and statistics, and data science.
- Learn about the Professional Experience Program, a 12 to 16-month work term between your third and fourth years, and apply at the end of your second year.
- Meet with potential supervisors to learn about directed studies research projects for your final year.
- Learn about Research and Instructional Assistantship opportunities in Computer Science.
- If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, talk with your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- If you’re applying to graduate school, sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop and book a further education application appointment.
As a Computer Science student, you can:
- Join student clubs such as the Laurier Computing Society, Laurier Women in Computer Science, Google Developers Group On Campus Laurier or the Faculty of Science Students' Association (FOSSA) and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
- Seek part-time employment or volunteer opportunities in the Mathematics department or with Student Success' Mathematics and Course Support.
- Get inspired at the Changemakers Hub.
- Participate in Off-campus competitions (e.g., Communitech Waterloo Hacks, Waterloo Codefest or the Great Canadian Appathon).
Outside of your program, there are many co-curricular opportunities for you to participate in.
- Check out the Experience Catalogue for a full list of co-curricular experiences that are currently offered across campus.
- Volunteer with the Students’ Union (e.g., Laurier Orientation, Hawk Walk, EcoHawks, Food Bank, Emergency Response Team, Shinerama).
- Volunteer on campus with the Accessible Learning, Global Engagement, Sustainability Office, Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, WLU Student Publications and more.
- Get involved in the local community by volunteering off campus.
- Apply for on-campus jobs:
- Check Navigator frequently for job postings or contact individual departments directly.
- Search for job opportunities on the Students’ Union website.
- If you meet eligibility criteria, apply for the Laurier Work Study Program or International Student Work Experience Program.
- Attend Job Fairs to network with employers.
- Explore ways to get involved in research.
- Look into StartUp Lab opportunities for support in launching a new venture.
Job/Volunteer Search Tips
- While on-campus opportunities are posted year-round, recruitment often starts early! Start looking in the winter term for opportunities in the following academic year.
- Have your resumé and LinkedIn profile reviewed by Career Centre staff for both on and off-campus opportunities.
- Laurier offers a variety of co-curricular certificates that you can complete during your studies. Earn certificates in topics including academic development, professional development, wellness, leadership and career development.
- Participate in workshops, programming and events offered by the Career Centre, Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support, Laurier Library, the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and more.
- Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils and House Council and the Leadership Certificate.
- Connect with Global Engagement to learn about international options available to you including opportunities abroad and language and culture sharing programs.
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.
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
- Fundamental understanding of digital systems and microprocessors, and an appreciation for the interaction between hardware and software.
- Specify, design and construct software systems, and evaluate and recognize potential risks in designing creative solutions.
- Demonstrate strong algorithm analysis and design skills in procedural, object-oriented and low-level programming languages, and gain an optional introduction to functional, parallel and logical programming paradigms.
- Adapt to constant change and integrate new ideas into existing systems.
- Demonstrate an aptitude for logical thinking, abstract reasoning, observation and concentration.
- Develop skills in quantitative, logical and computational analysis by applying data-driven technologies and artificial intelligence.
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.
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133 Computer Science respondents from the 2024 Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by the Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation. Other includes those travelling, volunteering or out of the workforce. 19% of graduates were looking for employment when survey data collection ended.
Alumni Careers and Pathways
Sample Further Education Programs Within the First Year After Graduation
- Master’s Degree - Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence, Applied Computing, Business Administration, Business Analytics and AI, Information Systems
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- brand experience designer
- digital operations consultant
- machine learning engineer
- product analyst
- social media coordinator
- software developer
- software engineer
- technical analyst
- technology consultant
Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation
- business intelligence consultant
- curriculum engineer
- data analyst
- lead solutions architect
- product support specialist
- programmer
- software development engineer
- senior web developer
- technical support engineer
- trading analytics developer
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
- artificial intelligence
- cloud architecture
- cybersecurity
- data science
- finance/banking
- game development
- healthcare
- information technology
- insurance
- machine learning
- research
- software development
- technology
- telecommunications
- user experience
- web development
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!
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