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Career Development

Learn how to explore career options and gain insight into strategies for job search and employment preparation by attending Career Centre workshops. Gain experience and build skills to prepare for your future.   

Certificates/Workshop Series that appear on the Laurier Experience Record help you gain skills and expand your knowledge on a wide range of topics. Register and complete the certificate/workshop series directly with the host department. Completed programs will automatically appear on your Laurier Experience Record by April.

 

Career Development Certificate – Undergraduate Students

The Career Development Certificate – Undergraduate provides you with the skills and knowledge to find the position you want and plan a fulfilling career. It is a valuable addition to your resumé and Laurier Experience Record.

Attend all six workshops:

  • Career Planning
  • Resumé Writing
  • Cover Letter Writing
  • Job Search and Networking Strategies/Job Search Chat
  • Interview Success
  • LinkedIn: Build Your Profile

Available in Brantford and Waterloo.

Career Prep Program for First and Second-year Students

The Career Prep Program is a small group program that keeps maximum enrolment to 15 students. Commitment is two sessions per week over a 5-week period and covers all workshop components of the Career Development Certificate and the Engagement & Employability Certificate. 

Available in Brantford and Waterloo

Career Development Certificate – Master’s/PhD Students 

The Career Development Certificate – Master’s/PhD prepares students for successful transition from graduate school into academic or post-academic professions, with the ultimate aim of supporting your progression into a meaningful career. These workshops offer a combination of self-reflection and job market awareness, as well the proactive development of career planning and employment preparation skills:

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

Available in Brantford and Waterloo. 

Engagement and Employability Certificate

The Engagement and Employability Certificate is intended to build students' knowledge and skills for the job search process through a variety of activities. This certificate is offered to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Certificate components include:

  • Transferable Skills: Articulate Your Experiences Workshop
  • Workplace Expectations: Be Prepared Workshop
  • Network with Confidence: Perfect Your Pitch Workshop
  • Conduct an information interview
  • Complete a mock interview appointment
  • Engage: Experience Events – attend three Career Centre events

Available in Brantford and Waterloo. 

From Idea to Impact

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, the From Idea to Impact weekly online sessions are packed with valuable insights and practical tips to help you succeed in the business world!

Schedule of Workshops:

  • Business Structure
  • Intellectual Property
  • Operational Quirks
  • Legal Best Practices
  • Accounting Best Practices
  • Getting Ready to Sell

Available in Brantford and Waterloo.

Non-Profit Sector Experiential Certificate

The Non-Profit Sector Experiential Certificate is a hands-on certificate program that will provide you with the knowledge and practical skills to engage in your community and build skills for your career.

The Certificate Program includes:

  • Guided exploration into your personal values and workplace preferences.
  • Orientation to the social and non-profit sector.
  • Exploration of skills, professionalism and workplace expectations.
  • Experiential volunteer opportunity with a non-profit organization (15–20 hours).
    • You can complete this opportunity throughout the term or during fall or winter reading week.
  • Critical reflection on your learning.

Available in Brantford and Waterloo.

Podcast Studio Portfolio - Goal Setting and Personal Branding

Portfolio Club is a free resource that helps students create standout professional portfolios, including bios, multimedia content, LinkedIn profiles, and more. It's an excellent opportunity to showcase their skills and stand out to potential employers. 

Attend 3 of the 5 workshops in Part 1 to receive your Podcast Studio Portfolio - Goal Setting and Personal Branding Certificate
1) Introduction to Portfolios & Goal Setting
2) Creating a Strong Biography
3) Professional Headshots & Personal Branding
4) LinkedIn Optimization and CV/Resume Building
5) Portfolio Website Building Workshop

Register

Available in Brantford

Podcast Studio Portfolio - Multimedia Portfolio Pieces & Finding Work

Portfolio Club is a free resource that helps students create standout professional portfolios, including bios, multimedia content, LinkedIn profiles, and more. It's an excellent opportunity to showcase their skills and stand out to potential employers. 

Attend 3 of the 5 workshops in Part 2 to receive your Podcast Studio Portfolio - Multimedia Portfolio Pieces & Finding Work Certificate
1) Writing and Multimedia Storytelling
2) Building Visual Projects & Design Elements
3) Presenting Work Through Audio
4) Presenting Work Through Video
5) Freelancing 101 & Personal Branding as a Freelancer

Register

Available in Brantford

PROJECT YOU

Project YOU is a 6-week workshop series that teaches students a new, practical skill every week that students can implement immediately in their professional lives. Some of the workshops this year included a resume-building workshop, a sales workshop, and a workshop on how to get started in the tech industry. These workshops were taught by professionals from reputable companies such as Shopify, Blackberry, and Microsoft. At no cost, students gain access to the program through an application process and attendance is tracked.

Available in Waterloo

Sapphire Program - Embraces Differences. Unlock Potential

Sapphire is the only comprehensive work transition program for autistic post-secondary students in Canada, with a vision to create truly neuro-inclusive workplaces where autistic individuals can thrive. Participants will have access to work-ready skills training on an inclusive, virtual reality platform, along with 1 on 1 mentorship and interview workshops to prepare them for a successful transition to the workplace.

Participants will be eligible for full-semester paid internship opportunities to gain valuable work experience.

The Sapphire Program also offers access to a supportive network built by and for neurodivergent students. The platform will connect students to a community of peers and neurodivergent professionals, as well as resource people at the university to support their growth.

Available in Waterloo