Careers by Major - Canadian Studies

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Careers for graduates

There are many different career options available for Canadian Studies graduates.  Below is a sample of types of positions available to graduates.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.

  • Environmental Economist
  • Aboriginal Liaison
  • Mediator
  • Political Commentator
  • Social Media Specialist
  • Public Relations Representative / Specialist*
  • Researcher*
  • Teacher / Professor*
  • Journalist*
  • Arbitrator / Conflict Resolution Specialist
  • Historian*
  • Policy Advisor
  • Sustainability Specialist
  • Settlement Worker
  • Land Agent
  • Canadian Intelligence Officer
  • Lawyer*
  • Human Ecologist
  • Editor*
  • Accommodation Manager
  • Fish and Wildlife Officer
  • Legal Assistant
  • Communications Consultant
  • Manager of Volunteer Resources / Volunteer Manager*
  • Probation Officer*
  • Recreation Coordinator
  • Immigration Appeal Officer
  • Diversity Coordinator
  • Environmental Communications Officer
  • Child and Youth Care Worker*
  • Archivist*
  • Fund Development Professional
  • Heritage Interpreter
  • Border Services Officer
  • Bylaw Enforcement Officer
  • Curator*
  • Legislative Assistant
  • Political Reporter
  • Marriage and Family Counsellor / Therapist*
  • Market Research Analyst*
  • Librarian*
  • Union Communication Specialist
  • Training and Development Professional
  • Chief Administrator Officer
  • Citizenship and Immigration Officer*
  • Community Planner
  • Environmental Educator
  • Creative Writer
  • Critic*
  • Demographer
  • Economist*
  • Foreign Service Officer*
  • Lobbyist*
  • Biographer
  • Politician*
  • Social Welfare Research Officer
  • Economic Development Officer*
  • Aboriginal Employment Program Officer

 

Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Canadian electronic career guide available through your Career Centre account.

Potential employers

  • Youth shelters
  • Community organizations
  • Environmental organizations
  • Universities, colleges and schools
  • Public relations agencies
  • Land development companies
  • Inter-municipal service agencies
  • Publishers
  • Unions
  • Political parties
  • Regional health authorities
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Libraries
  • Conservation agencies
  • Museums
  • Research and policy institutions
  • Social service agencies
  • Government courts
  • Newspapers, magazines and journals
  • Public interest groups
  • Oil and gas companies

Skills developed by Canadian Studies majors

  • Ability to conduct interdisciplinary research
  • Analytical and research skills
  • Knowledge of Canadian literary traditions
  • Communication skills
  • Understanding of economic, political, cultural, and social history of Canada
  • Collaboration with individuals  from a variety of professional, academic, and cultural backgrounds

Some content adapted from: University of British Columbia, Career Services http://www.students.ubc.ca/careers/students/get-career-guidance/what-can-i-do-with-my-major/canadian-studies/

Sample job listings for graduating students/recent graduates

  • Program Evaluator and Research Assistant, Abrigo Centre
  • Development Coordinator, Grant Writer, Free the Children
  • Municipal Affairs Reporter, NRU Publishing Inc.
  • Lead Hand, Conservation Parks, Albion Hills Conservation Area, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
  • Market Research Coordinator, Central 1 Credit Union
  • Employee Relations Advisor, Ministry of Government Services
  • Junior Business Writer, Rekai Legal Management Ltd.
  • Social Justice Union Organizer, UNITE HERE
  • Health Living Program Support Trainer, Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres
  • Communications and Outreach Associate, Citizens’ Environment Watch
  • Junior Policy Analyst – Curriculum & Assessment Policy Branch, Ministry of Education
  • Copywriter, On-Hold Marketing Inc.
  • Forum & Events Assistant, Association for Women’s Rights in Development
  • Tour Consultant, EF Education First
  • Advisor, Aboriginal Housing, Day Advertising Group Inc.
  • Communications & Fundraising Coordinator, African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF) Canada
  • Business Analyst, Just Energy Group
  • Youth Engagement Coordinator, Me to We
  • Agreement Administrator, Writers Guild of Canada
  • Energy and Environmental Assistant, Town of Markham

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Check out our Alumni Profiles page, to read profiles of UTM alumni who have studied in this area, find out about their career path and how their experiences have affected their career direction.

How to get experience

Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want.  Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.

Summer positions

  • Summer Activity Centre Coordinator, Boys and Girls Club of Peel
  • Environmental Education Instructor, Canadian Diabetes Association
  • Creative Writer, Blackthorn Bookkeeping
  • Build Heritage Conservation Assistant, The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario
  • Drop-In Support Worker, Canadian Red Cross
  • Advertising Coordinator, Graduate Media & Marketing
  • Community Engagement Assistant, Peel HIV/AIDS Network
  • Student Assistant, Electoral Event Services Division, Elections Ontario

Part-time positions

  • Support Coordinator, YMCA
  • Leadership Program Assistant, Moorelands Community Services
  • Court Reporter, Henderson Reporting & Transcribing
  • Communications & Logistical Support, Arro Marketing and Communications
  • Education Technician, Credit Valley Conservation Authority
  • Research Interviewer, Open Minds Research Solutions
  • Legal Assistant, Szemplinski Law Offices
  • Financial Services Representative, The Karmichael Group

Work-Study positions - previous postings have included:

  • Student Liaison, UTM Department of English and Drama
  • Teaching and Learning History in Schools Assistant, UTM Department of Historical Studies
  • Database for Italian Canadian Studies, UTM Department of Language Studies
  • Career Assistant, UTM Career Centre
  • Environmental Education Coordinator, UTM Student Housing & Residence Life
  • Writer/Reporter, UTM Research Office
  • Petitions & Examinations Assistant, UTM Office of the Registrar

Volunteer positions

  • English Conversation Facilitator, University Settlement
  • Youth Program Supporter, Central Neighbourhood House
  • Volunteer Site Supervisor / Back-up Tutor, Working Women Community Centre
  • Editor, Virtual Team Builders
  • Cultural Presenter, Halton Multicultural Council
  • Community Logistics Coordinator, UTM Office of Advancement
  • Research Assistant, Ontario New Democratic Party Caucus

Extern Job Shadowing Program

Extern is a career exploration program that offers you the opportunity to meet with people working in your preferred career area for placements of 1-5 days.

Samples of previous Extern placements include:

  • Executive Director, Community Support for Women
  • Data Librarian of Economic Prosperity Research, Martin Prosperity Institute
  • Book/Magazine Publisher, Concrete Wave Magazine
  • Senior Manager, Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs
  • Manager of Policy Coordination & Liaison Section, Ministry of Natural Resources
  • Strategic Communications Director, City of Toronto
  • Education Policy Officer, Ontario Public Service

Research Opportunity Program (ROP) at U of T Mississauga

UTM's Research Opportunity Program (ROP) allows students in their second and third year to earn one full course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. Check the ROP website for information about the program including application deadlines.

Professional Associations

Each industry has affiliated associations. There are many benefits of becoming a member of an association, such as stating your affiliation on your resume.  In addition to your experiences and the completion of your university degree, a student membership in an association is one way to get an edge in the job market.  It also furthers your knowledge of a particular field

http://www.acs-aec.ca/en/  Association for Canadian Studies (ACS)

ACS “initiates and supports activities in the areas of research, teaching, communications, and the training of students in the field of Canadian Studies, especially in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives.  The ACS is committed to raising public awareness of significant research and public policy issues, and to providing opportunities for advancing debate and action through collaborative activities and publications.”

http://www.iccs-ciec.ca/ International Council of Canadian Studies (ICCS)

“ICCS is a not-for-profit organization composed of twenty-two member associations and six associate members in thirty-nine countries, dedicated to the promotion and support of research, education and publication in all fields of Canadian Studies around the world.  The ICCS also acts as administrative agent of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade for several of the Department's Canadian Studies Programs.”

http://www.nwac.ca/ Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC)

“NWAC is founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote, and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of First Nations and Métis women within First Nation, Métis and Canadian societies.  NWAC’s mandate is to achieve equality for all Aboriginal women in Canada.”

http://www.oneia.ca/ Ontario Environment Industry Association (ONEIA)

“ONEIA is the business association representing the interests of the environment industry in Ontario.  ONEIA’s network of thousands of contacts includes key people at environmental technology, product and service companies, law, investment and insurance firms, institutes, universities and governments.  Through ONEIA, they can work towards a society that understands and values the contribution that market-based solutions make to our environmental problems.”

http://economics.ca/en/ Canadian Economics Association (CEA)

“With around 1500 members across the country and from abroad, the CEA is the organization of academic economists in Canada.  The Association has for its object the advancement of economic knowledge through the encouragement of study and research, the issuing of publications, and the furtherance of free and informed discussion of economic questions.”

http://www.cha-shc.ca/en Canadian Historical Association/Société historique du Canada (CHA/SHC)

“Founded in 1922, the CHA/SHC is a bilingual scholarly organization dedicated to research in all fields of history.  With members from across Canada and around the world, the CHA/SHC serves professional historians and is open to anyone with an interest in history.”

http://www.centrefordiversity.ca/ Canadian Centre for Diversity

“The Canadian Centre for Diversity is a national educational charity that informs and educates Canadians about the value of diversity, difference and inclusion.   They work to eliminate prejudice and discrimination through the advancement of education and public awareness and to provide information and public education concerning attitudes that lead to prejudice and discrimination.

http://www.ocasi.org/index.php Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)

“OCASI was formed in 1978 to act as a collective voice for immigrant-serving agencies and to coordinate response to shared needs and concerns. OCASI is a registered charity governed by a volunteer board of directors. Its membership is comprised of more than 200 community-based organizations in the province of Ontario.”

Resources

Career Centre Library resources:

  • Career Cruising
  • Great Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors
  • Careers for Talkative Types & Others with the Gift of Gab
  • What to do with your History or Political Science Degree
  • Careers in Social & Rehabilitation Services
  • I’m an English Major – Now What?
  • Great jobs for Anthropology Majors
  • 101 Career Alternatives for Teachers
  • The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference
  • Ready, Set, Hired!  A Practical Guide to Starting a Career with the Canadian Government
  • Opportunities in Forensic Science Careers
  • Great Jobs for Sociology Majors

Web links:

  • http://www.cultureworks.ca/ Culture Works – a job site for careers in culture
  • http://www.mhso.ca/index.html Multicultural History Society of Ontario (MHSO)
  • http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/clc/ Canadian Literature Centre (CLC) – this Centre “brings together researchers, authors, publishers, collectors and the reading public to promote the strength and diversity of Canada's written culture”
  • http://www.policyalternatives.ca/ Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) – “a research institute concerned with issues of social and economic justice.  Click on Publications to read up on the kinds of things that policy researchers do.”
  • http://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca/Jobs.aspx Ontario Public Service Careers
  • http://www.cielap.org/ Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy (CIELAP) – an environmental think tank “whose mission is to inform legislative, policy and regulatory outcomes for Sustainability at the national and provincial/territorial levels of government in Canada”
  • www.adrcanada.ca ADR Institute of Canada – “provides national leadership in the development and promotion of dispute resolution services in Canada and internationally”
  • http://www.aicw.ca Association of Italian Canadian Writers (AICW) – “a community of writers, critics, academics, and other artists who promote Italian Canadian literature and culture”

UTM Career Centre panel packages:

  • Networking Night: Economics (2010)
  • Career Panel Plus: Historical Studies (2010)
  • Alumni Career Night: Writing & Communications Networking Event (2008)
  • Alternatives to Law (2008)
  • Careers in Policy (2007)
  • Alternatives to Teaching (2007)

The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca

What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check our Events Calendar regularly for upcoming career related events (we offer several networking events and panels throughout the year). Watch for our Get Experience Fair (held annually in September), the Graduate and Professional School Fair (held annually in late September or early October), and the Summer Job Fair (held annually in January).