Students studying in Social Sciences Building

What can I do with my studies?

Program Overview

Program Requirements 

Further studies

Many graduate programs are available for people with an undergraduate degree interested in expanding their knowledge, specializing or conducting research. The graduate programs below are examples selected from the list of graduate programs offered by the University of Ottawa. While they are related to this program of study, it is important to consult the admission requirements of the programs as not all types of degrees qualify one for admission. Moreover, additional programs and other universities could be considered depending on your career plan.

Graduate programs

  • Environmental Engineering (MEng, MASc, PhD)
  • Biology (MSc, PhD)
  • Biochemistry (MSc, PhD)
  • Cellular and Molecular Medicine (MSc, PhD)
  • Earth Sciences (MSc, PhD)
  • Population Health (PhD)
  • Microbiology and Immunology (MSc, PhD)
  • Biomedical Engineering (MASc)

Potential occupations

Universities studies lead to multiple occupations. Furthermore, certain professions require talent, special aptitudes, additional skills and experience beyond degrees themselves. By targeting a profession, it can make decisions easier during your schooling, throughout your job search and, finally, when choosing among job offers. The choices can change over time based on academic, personal, and professional paths and on the knowledge of occupations and of the labour market.

In order to list your choices, visit the Job Bank Canada website and, using the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, view job postings, wages, employment prospects and other important information that can help you make a decision. If need be, additional and complementary information can be found via two online career exploration tools (Careercruisingand Choices Planner)* also designed to facilitate your career advancement. The occupations found below are examples derived from the National Occupational Classification. They are presented by their occupational group title, in bold, followed by bulleted occupational titles specific to the program of study. Immediately after the occupational titles, the hyperlinked NOC code for the occupational group is provided. Overall, the occupations are presented side by side with their employment requirements and the establishments where to find a job.

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 is the authoritative resource on occupational information in Canada providing a standard taxonomy and framework for dialogue on Labour Market Information. It gathers more than 30,000 occupational titles into 500 Unit Groups, organized according to skill levels and skill types.

Occupations related to this program

Biologists and related scientists

  • Bacteriologist
  • Biologist
  • Botanist
  • Microbiologist
  • Molecular biologist
  • Naturalist
  • Pharmaceutical bacteriologist
  • Plant anatomist
  • Protozoologist

A bachelor’s degree in biology or in a related discipline; a master’s or doctoral degree in biology or in a related discipline is required for employment as a research scientist in biology

Agricultural and fish products inspectors

  • Fish products inspector
  • Fruit and vegetables inspector
  • Grain inspector
  • Livestock inspector
  • Meat inspector

A bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry or a related discipline; several years of experience in agricultural production or fish processing are usually required; completion of in-house training courses is required

Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers

  • Natural and applied sciences program officer
  • Natural resources policy analyst

A bachelor's degree in a related scientific or technical discipline; a master's degree in a related scientific discipline may be required

Supervisors, food, beverage and associated products processing

  • Bottling supervisor
  • Fish processing supervisor
  • Food product testers supervisor
  • Meat packing supervisor

A bachelor’s degree in microbiology, chemistry or a related discipline; several years of experience in the food, beverage or associated products processing industry are required

Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries

  • Museum interpreter

A bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to museum and gallery work; on-the-job training programs may also be required

Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade

  • Technical sales representative

A bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the product or service; experience in sales or in a technical occupation related to the product or service may be required

Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.

  • Biological anthropologist

A bachelor’s degree in biology or a related discipline; a master’s or doctoral degree in anthropology; professors of anthropology require a doctoral degree

Chemists

  • Biochemist

A bachelor’s degree in biochemistry or a closely related field such as chemistry or biology; a master’s or doctoral degree in biochemistry is required for employment as a research scientist; provincial licensing is compulsory in Quebec and voluntary in Ontario and Alberta

Architecture and science managers

  • Scientific research department  manager
  • Scientific research director

A bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline; a master's or doctoral degree in a scientific discipline; several years of experience in a related scientific field

Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries

  • Epidemiologist

A bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, or a related discipline; a master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, or biostatistics is required; academic and senior level positions require a doctoral degree

College and other vocational instructors

  • College teacher

A bachelor's degree in the field of instruction; a master's degree in the field of instruction may be required; a certificate, diploma or degree in adult education may be required

Administrators – post-secondary education and vocational training

  • Assistant dean
  • Dean
  • Faculty administrator

Faculty administrators require a graduate degree in a field related to the academic faculty and several years of experience as a university professor or college teacher

Related field

Although many students believe that they will pursue a career path directly connected to their university studies, quite often, graduates tend to work in related fields. Below is a list of possible related fields of work based on a given program of study. These fields present opportunities that are not typically considered as first choices when choosing a career path based on a program of study. Hopefully, this list will allow students to further consider the various fields that are loosely connected to their program of study. These results were compiled through a research of the University of Ottawa's alumni profiles which were found on the business-oriented social networking service, LinkedIn. 

Related Fields

  • Legal
  • Marketing
  • Operations
  • Administrative
  • Community and Social Services    

Acquiring experience

Experience is acquired by participating and trying new personal, educational and professional activities, where it is possible to discover preferences, increase confidence and improve skills. As for professional experience, it is acquired through volunteering, internships, self-employment and full-time or part-time jobs. And certainly, experience working on campus or in other settings adds to the set of skills acquired in your degree (see Acquired Skills section). The Employability Skills 2000+ presenting the skills employers look for in their employees as well as its complementary checklist can help target experience opportunities that will improve your skill set necessary for employment. In addition to developing these skills, performing work related to your program of study can strengthen your expertise and increase your employability.

All examples of volunteer experience and potential employers were selected specifically for this area of study and according to occupational groups in which it is possible toacquireexperience. Examples of volunteer organizations in Canada and abroad are preceded by a list of directories that can help to find more volunteer opportunities. Examples of potential employers in Canada and abroad have been compiled in light of events held in partnership with employers, searches in company directories and well-established rankings.

Volunteer opportunities

In addition to providing an opportunity to apply theories and knowledge learned during your university studies outside the classroom, in real world situations, volunteering is a way to help the community and its many organizations. The Community Service Learning also allows students to contribute to their community by participating in projects that are related to their program of study.

Directories

Canada Abroad

Potential employers

The following examples of employers can offer internships or employment opportunities related to students’ program of studies. The examples are presented according to geographic location: Ottawa and Gatineau, Ontario, Quebec and other provinces. Employers outside of Canada are either presented under their respective country or, if they operate in more than three countries, listed as globally established enterprises. Positions are also available on campus as part of the Work-Study Program or as a career (see University of Ottawa: Human Resources).

In Canada

Ottawa/Gatineau Region Ontario

Quebec Other provinces and territories

Abroad

The requirements for working abroad consider factors like administrative laws, professional standards and work permits in some countries. To learn about requirements in various countries, visit Skill Clear or MyWorldAbroad (registration with a @uOttawa.ca email is required to use MyWorldAbroad).

Established globally

North America (excluding Canada)

South America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania

Others

Job search resources

The job search resources are designed to stimulate networking activities, develop marketing strategies and facilitate access to job postings. Networking events offer employers the opportunity to learn about the available workforce, and they give students a chance to be considered in the recruitment process. Career Development Centre offers helpful tips on networking, interview preparation techniques and different tools that can also be used to help with the preparation of resumés and cover letters.

Professional organizations

Examples of professional organizations, presented by location, provide essential information on professional development opportunities and networking activities, the examples can also provide access to publications and job opportunities.

Canadian Provincial and territorial

American International

Job search sites

Here are a few websites posting jobs available in Canada and abroad related to this field of study.

Canadian International

General Job Search Websites

Date modified : 2016-06-09