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Environmental Studies (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 Environmental Studies student, you can: 

  • Join student clubs such as the Geography and Environmental Studies Students' Association (GESSA) or EcoHawks and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
  • Build important networks through educational outreach and environmental work in the community (e.g., REEP Green Solutions, rare Charitable Research Reserve, Sustainability Waterloo Region, Waterloo Region Nature club).
  • Volunteer in the community at a school or a non-profit organization.
  • Provide environmental assistance to outside advisory panels (e.g., Laurel Creek Citizens’ Working Group).
  • Apply for funding for a sustainable initiative on campus through the Sustainable Hawk Fund.

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.
  • Sustainability option
  • Geomatics option or certificate
  • Practical Ethics and Society option
  • Climate Change Management option
  • Undergraduate Certificate in Food and Sustainability

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

  • Understand the relationship between humans and the natural environment by studying both natural and social sciences.
  • Develop an awareness of issues such as sustainability in management of land and water, the formulation of environmental policy and how environmental management decisions can be improved to ensure a healthy future for humans and the environment.
  • Interpret and apply scientific principles, relevant legislation, policies and guidelines to environmental, corporate and industrial resource management practices.
  • Observe and measure the use of earth resources through time to understand changing environments. Apply technical skills such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and aerial drones as well as field and laboratory techniques to interpret and use relevant scientific information/data in planning and development.
  • Understand the principles of resource management and the impact of development/ tourism on the environment. Gather, assess, and interpret the economic and environmental impacts of environmental changes.
  • Gain an understanding of techniques related to conservation and effective land management, and plan for the optimal use of space and environment.

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

33 Environmental Studies 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

  • Master’s Degree - Environment and Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Geography, Planning
  • College Program - Environmental Compliance, Environmental Engineering

Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation

  • civil technician
  • environmental assessor
  • environmental technician
  • field sales representative
  • outdoor educator
  • rural planner
  • sustainability assistant

Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation

  • aquatic ecologist
  • conservation regulations officer
  • environmental advisor
  • GIS analyst
  • health and safety coordinator
  • municipal planner
  • policy officer
  • ​sustainability consultant​

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

  • agriculture
  • cartography
  • conservation
  • consulting
  • education/teaching
  • environmental planning
  • forestry/wildlife
  • government
  • journalism/media
  • non-profit
  • public policy
  • real estate
  • research
  • resource management
  • sustainability
  • tourism/travel
  • transportation
  • urban planning

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

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