Science Careers & Experience Centre: Empowering Science Students for Success in 2025 and Beyond

Science Career & Cooperative Education is starting 2025 with a refreshed identity: Science Careers & Experience Centre. This rebrand reflects a renewed focus on helping students gain valuable professional experience before they graduate, preparing them for success in their careers or further education.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to student success, we continue to evolve our programming to provide students with meaningful professional experiences that help them thrive,” said Alice O’Carroll, Director, Science Careers & Experience Centre. “Previously, the perception was that our office was only for co-op students, but it’s important every science student knows we are here to support them as they prepare for their future.”

The Science Careers & Experience Centre, supported by a dedicated team of 20 members, has enhanced its services to offer even more to students:

• Design Your Science Career: Based off the impactful Stanford Life Design model.
• Science Professional Competency Framework: Developed through consultations with employers, students, and faculty to identify the eight key competencies needed for success in the workplace.
• Actuarial Career Test-Drive Program: Developed in collaboration with the Actuarial & Financial Mathematics program, this initiative created 215 work-integrated learning opportunities, supported by Business + Higher Education Roundtable and the Government of Canada.

O’Carroll used the Actuarial Career Test-Drive Program as an example of the work-integrated learning they aim to provide for all science students. “We’re just getting started.”

“With ever competitive and evolving job markets, we are so fortunate to have the Science Careers & Experience Centre at the helm of creating innovative career-ready training opportunities and resources for all students in the Faculty of Science.  We encourage students to connect with the Science Careers & Experience Centre early on in their academic journey.  Our amazing staff will help you map out and build professional competencies and experiences that will help you shine in your future career-related activities,” emphasized Dr. Rosa da Silva, Associate Dean of Science.

By the numbers – in 2024

• 4,600+ undergraduate students were engaged through appointments or events.
  • 2,500+ students accessed in-person/virtual career advising appointments and drop-in services.
  • 2,100+ students increased their career readiness through employer networking events and career professional development sessions.
• 659 co-op work terms were completed.
• Co-op students earned a total of over $5 million this year.

About the Science Careers & Experience Centre:

The Science Careers & Experience Centre is dedicated to helping students develop professional skills, gain experience, build networks, and design their careers, enabling them to leverage their education and create an authentic future.

Students, “Design Your Future Today” at the Science Careers & Experience Centre.