Experiential learning

Drone driver

Mapping the future in Geomatics

By the time Pedro finished his undergrad, he had more than a Geomatics degree to add to his résumé. Beyond the skills he learned in the classroom, Pedro also gained real-world experience in the field, working across all three levels of government, in sectors spanning telecommunications, transportation, and agriculture.

Showing up for those in need at Lot42

The human faces of the social determinants of health

Have you ever visited a safe injection site? Prepared meals for people experiencing homelessness? In the Health 448 course, those might be your usual field trips. Discover how Professor Kelly Anthony adapted this course to meet public health restrictions in the pandemic while also providing students with valuable field work experience.

Entrepreneurship at Waterloo

Bringing your ideas to life

Have you stumbled onto an idea you think would help people? Here's how Waterloo can support you in starting your own business.

What to expect in co-op

Your inside look at Waterloo's co-op system

To co-op or not to co-op? This is an important decision you will have to make when choosing a program at the University of Waterloo. Here’s the inside scoop to help you decide if a co-op program is right for you!

Paving the road to medical school with hands-on learning

How selecting a program based on passion and opportunity can lead to success

With its broad scope and active approach to health and wellness, Waterloo’s Kinesiology program checked all the boxes for this student.

5 tips for a successful co-op work term

What it's like to be on the job in co-op

Co-op jobs are amazing opportunities to learn and grow as a person. Not only do you get hands-on experience, you also get to see how companies operate. Here are a few tips on how to make the most of your co-op experience.

How high school co-op can kickstart your career

The benefits of experiential learning in high school

Test drive different career paths in high school through co-operative education

Put an EDGE on your degree

Here's how you can develop professional skills and gain experience during university

Not everyone wants to commit to an on-again, off-again work/study schedule. And that's okay. If you're interested in a four-year, non-co-op program and are looking for ways to participate in experiential education during your undergraduate degree, EDGE is a certificate program that you may want to consider.

How to become a geologist or geoscientist

View the world in a perspective like no other

Want to be in the field hiking in remote areas taking samples? Want to work in a lab looking for solutions to environmental problems? Prefer to have an office job? Explore the world of geologists and geoscientists, it may be what you’re searching for.

Arctic adventure: experiencing climate change through geography field course

Polar bears and glaciers among the highlights of two-week Arctic trip

It’s not every day that you come face to face with polar bears. Or hike untouched moraines. Or stand among glaciers—witnessing first-hand the devastating effects of climate change, as Geography and Environmental Management student Cassandra experienced while travelling across Nunavut and Greenland. A trip of a lifetime; you just had to be there.

Well planned: Creating safer communities through Planning

How Jacklyn used her degree for good

Through her volunteer work while growing up, Jacklyn became aware of the challenges facing low-income families and those suffering from violence and abuse. But she knew it wasn’t enough. Build affordable housing, she thought, and you create a sustainable community built on diversity and inclusion.

Tackling climate change through volunteerism

How one Environment, Resources, and Sustainability student is creating waves of change

For many of us, tackling climate change on an individual level feels daunting: Where do I start?  What could I even do to make a difference? Ashoke is an Environment, Resources, and Sustainability student looking to make the fight against climate change feel more attainable by spreading the message that any positive action we each take – big or small – can catalyze change.

Explore, experience, earn: kick-start your career with co-op

Wouldn’t it be great to gain experience in your field, make connections, AND earn money – all at the same time?

Why and how to use LinkedIn in high school

A social profile that works for you

You’ve been communicating online with friends, classmates, and occasionally your family for years – and we’re sure you’ve had fun. But, what if you could you hone your scrolling habits to help you in the future?

Co-op is the time to explore and learn

Expanding your skillset

Different co-op jobs. Research flair. Get it all at Waterloo.

Athletics, academics, and ambition

Learning the importance of mental health and peer support in university

If Varun has one weakness, it’s his inability to sit still. “I thrive on chaos,” he says.

A toolkit packed with job skills

Discovering career options through co-operative education

For some students, co-op is the perfect opportunity to get a head start on the career of their dreams. For others, it’s about networking – building a resume and making connections that could lead to relevant and exciting prospects after graduating.

Becoming a substance use advocate

One student’s journey to finding her passion

Substance use isn't a taboo subject for Prabhjeet. This self-care warrior is passionate about having open dialogue on the topic and supporting fellow students in making healthy choices.

Going global for university

Packing a world’s worth of experience into a Waterloo degree

Ola loves many things about Waterloo. Her friends. The combination of coursework and co-op. Campus clubs, including the Black Association for Student Expression, of which she’s president. But the winter? Not so much.

An environment of ideation

Building sustainability, one revolution at a time

When Miila applied to Waterloo, she was worried – although not about what you’d expect. While most students were concerned about being admitted, she was already thinking bigger.

The (really) great outdoors

Getting your hands dirty through experiential learning

For seven weeks, two summers in a row, Carson lived in a tent. More than 200 kilometres from the nearest town, deep in the Nunavut wilderness, he quickly discovered he could sleep anywhere, even with blazing 24-hour sunlight and the not-so-distant sounds from arctic wolves, whales and polar bears.

Finding new meaning in recreation

Discovering a “true calling” through classroom experiences and co-op terms

Esther always knew she wanted to help people. In high school, she envisioned studying for a career in nursing. Then a co-op class had her working at a therapy centre for kids with autism, and everything changed.

Networking: Why it's important and how can it help you!

Making the connections you need to succeed

If you're planning on working right after graduation, or even looking for co-op opportunities, networking will provide you with all the tips you need to be successful.

Arts First: the most important courses you’ll take

How they’ll help you master university

From seating that enables collaboration, to ongoing opportunities to test ideas and concepts using methods not found in a traditional university classroom, Arts First feels different from the moment you walk through the door.

C-suite sustainability

Bridging business with environmental sustainability

As a kid growing up around the oil industry, Okeoghene witnessed first-hand the intrinsic relationship between business and the environment. Creating a sustainable future, she quickly discovered, is as much about protecting our natural resources as it is fostering a competitive business landscape.

More than a museum

Exploring design thinking and collaboration in Knowledge Integration

Can a shift in perspective alter, or even improve, your mental health? It’s a question Victoria and four classmates studied for eight months — across two continents, no less — as part of The Museum Course, a third-year course offered to students enrolled in Waterloo’s Bachelor of Knowledge Integration in the Faculty of Environment.

What is a student design team? Why would I join one?

Everything you need to know about Waterloo's design teams

Find out how joining a design team can expand your skill sets, give you more experience, and enrich your overall university experience!

Building a résumé before university

Tips on making a résumé for students

In high school and thinking about getting a job? Are you having trouble coming up with a résumé to get you the job? Look no further! Here are tips and tricks to make your résumé grab an employer's attention.

Examining what we eat through social neuroscience

What our brain has to do with eating

You might not expect gourmet pancakes during class, but that’s what happens in HLTH 459: Social Neurobiology of Eating.

The world is your classroom

Exploring Geography and Environmental Management

Sam wanted a program that allowed her to travel, and explore different cultures and global issues. Geography and Environmental Management was the perfect fit.

What's Beyond Ideas?

How do you go #BeyondIdeas?

Have you noticed how much we love talking about going "Beyond Ideas?" Have you wondered what it means? We're here to help demystify our latest tagline.

Getting outside the classroom through university field trips

Experience through local and international field studies

See how the Faculty of Environment goes beyond the classroom to teach students hands on about field work.

Warriors for climate change

An interview with some of Waterloo's very own game-changers

Climate change. Environmental issues. Changing the world. If any of these pique your interest, learn about the global climate change conference COP24 directly from those who attended it.

Do you have the skills to be an entrepreneur?

See what it takes to promote your ideas

Entrepreneurship can take many forms – whether pitching an idea for a group project or launching a company.

How to build a portfolio

Get a head start on the competition

Having an exceptional portfolio can make or break your chances of getting your dream job and these pro tips will help you swing the scales in your favour!

Five cool Environment courses

Expand your environmental knowledge and learn new skills

Expand your environmental knowledge and learn new skills.

How to gain experience if you're not in co-op

There are many ways to learn valuable skills

At Waterloo, co-op isn’t the only way to make yourself appealing to employers. Check out some of the other ways you can gain experience.

Co-op vs regular: finding the perfect path for you

Is it one way, or another?

Debating the difference between a regular or co-op program at Waterloo? Don't worry! Nathan's here to give you the pros and cons of each program!

Hands on: sports therapy with the Warriors

Kinesiology lab course trains student therapists

Sports Injury Management Lab, KIN 140L, is a non-credit course with a waitlist! It teaches students how to treat and prevent injuries, and gives them the skills they need to be student therapists for Waterloo's varsity teams.

Volunteering with the campus response team

Making a difference and building relationships

Do you want to be a part of a team and help people in the process? The Campus Response Team is always recruiting!

Page-turning success

Sometimes co-op makes dreams come true

Before becoming an international sensation and New York Times bestselling author, Rupi Kaur was an Honours Arts and Business student determined to ignite a new generation of feminists.

Taking a kinesiology lab tour?

Here are 10 questions you should ask

Emily, a second-year Kinesiology student, shares 10 questions for you to ask when touring university kinesiology labs.

What my co-op terms have taught me

Hands-on learning through co-op

Co-op = golden ticket. Learn about one student's co-op experiences and how they've changed his future.

Preparing for labs in university

What hands on learning looks like

Get the inside scoop on what it's like being in a university lab!

How to make an impact in university

Bethany's legacy in the physics community

Read more about how Bethany Bouchard found her perfect fit in the Faculty of Science at Waterloo

Why I'm studying Business at Waterloo

I've always been all about numbers

Learn more about how Waterloo's business ambassador found her fit in the Accounting and Financial Management program

This classroom comes with mountain views

Promoting gender equity in Nepal

Carlee's first week in Kathmandu was exciting, overwhelming, incredible, and terrifying. After 7 months, she's made connections to last a lifetime.

A social justice toolkit

Developing the skills to fight human trafficking

Sara is determined to stop human trafficking. Learn how an exchange to Spain and living in a Waterloo startup incubator changed her goals.

Grad school? Med school? Law school?

Advisors, workshops, and co-op can help you get there

Many Waterloo students choose to pursue further specialized education after their degree. There are lots of resources on campus to help you find the right program.

Recreation and Leisure Studies overnight retreat

Hands-on lessons in program management

Jon, a second-year Recreation and Sport Business student, describes his experience on the REC 120: Program Management and Evaluation overnight retreat. Recreation students in all majors take this foundational course as part of their degree requirements.