Placement And Career Information

Lakehead University has a practical career story built around experiential learning, research access, co-op options in selected programs and strong graduate employment outcomes. The university reports that 93.4% of graduates are employed within six months, rising to 96.2% within two years.

For international students, this does not guarantee a job, but it is a useful signal that Lakehead focuses on helping students connect their degree with employment preparation.

How Work Experience Usually Works

Work experience at Lakehead depends on the program. Some courses may include co-op options, placements, practicums, fieldwork, labs, applied projects or research-based learning. Engineering, computer science, education, social work, health-related and environmental programs may have different practical components.

Students should check:

• Whether the course has co-op, placement or practicum options
• Whether work experience is optional or required
• Whether there are academic progression requirements
• Whether the student must apply for and secure the role
• Whether the route changes the course length
• Whether it affects tuition, visa conditions or living costs
• What support is available from the university

Career Support At Lakehead

Lakehead students can use career support for job search preparation, resume writing, interview practice, employer events and career planning. This is especially important for international students who are new to Canadian hiring expectations.

Students should prepare early for:

• Part-time work applications
• Campus jobs
• Co-op or placement applications
• Summer work
• Volunteering
• Graduate roles
• LinkedIn networking
• Interview and employer communication

Graduate Career Routes

Lakehead graduates can move into different sectors depending on the subject. Common pathways may include:

• Engineering and technical roles
• Software, data and IT support
• Environmental consulting and natural resources
• Business, operations and management
• Education and student support
• Health, psychology and community services
• Public sector and non-profit roles
• Research and postgraduate study

Students should check the career outcomes and accreditation details for their exact course before applying.

Barrie STEM Hub Career Advantage

The Barrie STEM Hub is designed around engineering and computer science programs with hands-on learning, applied research and regional industry relevance. For September 2026 applicants, this can be a useful option if the goal is to study STEM in Ontario with a practical learning environment and access to the Greater Toronto Area.

Important Planning Advice

Students should not wait until final year to think about careers. A better plan is to build a resume in the first term, attend career events, apply for small roles or volunteering, and understand co-op or placement deadlines early.

For the September 2026 intake, students should also confirm how any work experience route affects course duration, tuition, study permit conditions and total living budget.