Students studying in Social Sciences Building

What can I do with my studies?

Program Overview

Program Requirements 

Acquired skills

University education stimulates the development of many valuable skills transferable to the workplace. Employers increasingly demand a set of skills from their employees; communication, research, data use, analytical, decision-making, problem-solving, planning and organizational, responsibility, adaptability and autonomy, and teamwork skills are sought after. While they can seem limited to each program of study, skills are adaptable and extendable to a variety of situations and they can also be used to acquire other aptitudes and abilities hence ensuring the development and advancement of one’s career (to further develop your skill set, see Experience section). The list of skills below can then help in the process of choosing occupations that best fit your education and aptitudes and it can also be used to communicate your employability.

Skills 

General Skills

  • Problem Solving skills
  • Critical and Analytical Thinking
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Ability to work with others effectively

Specific Skills

  • Use of computational and experimental Engineering Tools
  • Ability to Model and analyse mechanical systems
  • Ability to design of biomedical devices
  • Understanding technical language, such as C++, Java, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SERVLET, and UML design

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

Professional programs

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 Canadaexternal link 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 (Careercruisingexternal linkand Choices Plannerexternal link)* also designed to facilitate your career advancement. The occupations found below are examples derived from the National Occupational Classificationexternal link. 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 Classificationexternal link (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.

*To obtain the access codes of these websites, visit your InfoWeb account.

Occupations related to this program

Other professional engineers, n.e.c.

  • Biomechanical engineer
  • Biomedical engineer
  • Biomedical engineer – research and development
  • Clinical biomedical engineer
  • Engineering scientist

A bachelor's degree in an appropriate engineering discipline is required; a master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required; licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports, and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.); engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination

Managers in health care 

  • Chief of biomedical engineering services

Administrators of other departments, such as nursing, dietetics or physiotherapy, are usually required to have the education and training of the medical professionals in that department; several years of experience in the relevant profession, including supervisory experience, are usually required; certification in the relevant profession is required

Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers 

  • Engineering department inspector
  • Engineering regulatory engineer
  • Quality assurance officer

University degree or college diploma in an appropriate engineering field  
or trade qualifications and extensive related work experience are required; appropriate professional engineering or engineering technology certification and licences may be required

Mechanical Engineer 

  • Consulting mechanical engineer
  • Energy conservation engineer
  • Fluid mechanics engineer
  • Hydraulic engineer
  • Mechanical design engineer
  • Robotics engineer
  • Tool engineer

A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required; a master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required; licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.); engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination

Industrial and manufacturing engineers 

  • Computer integrated manufacturing engineer
  • Cost engineer
  • Industrial efficiency engineer
  • Industrial engineer
  • Quality assurance (QA) engineer
  • Manufacturing engineer
  • Production engineer
  • Systems engineer - manufacturing

A bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required; a master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required; licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.); engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination

Engineering managers 

  • Engineering research and development director
  • Engineering service group manager
  • Engineering service project manager
  • Engineering safety service director
  • Production engineering manager

A bachelor's degree in engineering is usually required; extensive experience in an engineering discipline, including supervisory experience, is required; registration as a Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is usually required

Information systems analysts and consultants

  • Business analyst, computer systems
  • Computer systems analyst
  • Data processing consultant
  • Informatics security analyst
  • Interactive media consultant
  • Management information analyst
  • Quality assurance auditor, software
  • Security planner, systems
  • Systems integration analyst

A bachelor's degree in computer science, computer systems engineering, software engineering, business administration or a related discipline or completion of a college program in computer science is usually required; experience as a computer programmer is usually required; certification or training provided by software vendors may be required by some employers

Database analyst and data administrators

  • Computer programming specialist
  • Data administrator
  • Database administrator
  • Database analyst
  • Database architect
  • Database designer
  • Electronic data processing systems analyst
  • Information resource analyst

A bachelor's degree, usually in computer science or in mathematics or completion of a college program in computer science is usually required; computer programming experience is usually required

Computer programmers and interactive media developers

  • Computer games developer
  • Interactive media developer
  • Multimedia programmer
  • Personal computer application developer
  • Programmer analyst
  • Systems programmer

A bachelor's degree in computer science or in another discipline with a significant programming component or completion of a college program in computer science is usually required; specialization in programming for engineering and scientific applications requires specific post-secondary study or experience

Web designers and developers

  • E-commerce Web site developer
  • Internet site designer
  • Intranet site designer
  • Web developer
  • Web site designer
  • Web site manager
  • Webmaster

A bachelor's degree, usually in computer science, communications or business or completion of a college program in computer science, graphic arts, Web design or business is required; experience as a computer programmer or graphic designer is usually required

Computer and information systems managers

  • Computer development division head
  • Computer projects manager
  • Data center manager
  • Director of technology management
  • Internet systems administrator
  • Manager, information technology integration
  • Manager, network design
  • Software systems development manager

A bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, business administration, commerce or engineering is usually required; several years of experience in systems analysis, data administration, software engineering, network design or computer programming, including supervisory experience, are required

Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services

  • Chief operating officer – engineering firm
  • Engineering firm president
  • Engineering research general manager
  • Engineering vice-president

A university degree in business administration, commerce, computer science or other discipline related to the service provided is usually required; several years of experience as a middle manager in financial, communications or other business services are usually required; specialization in a particular functional area or service is possible through specific university training in that area or through previous experience; senior managers in finance usually require a professional accounting designation

College and other vocational instructors

  • College instructor
  • Computer programming instructor
  • Computer science teacher
  • Computer training representative

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

University professors and lecturers

  • Department head
  • Lecturer
  • Professor
  • Visiting scholar

A doctoral degree in the field of specialization is required for university professors; a master's degree in the field of specialization is required for university lecturers; licences or professional certification may be required for professors teaching future practitioners in certain professionally regulated fields, such as medicine, engineering, architecture, psychology or law; university professors who are also practitioners in their field of specialization must have the appropriate licences or certification

Post-secondary teaching and research assistants

  • Discussion group leader – post-secondary teaching assistance
  • Laboratory assistant, university
  • Laboratory supervisor – post-secondary teaching assistant
  • Post-secondary research assistant
  • Post-secondary teaching assistant
  • Tutor – post-secondary teaching assistant

Enrolment in a university or college program is 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, LinkedInexternal link. 

Related Fields

  • Education
  • Sales
  • Research
  • Program and Project Management
  • Entrepreneurship

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+external link presenting the skills employers look for in their employees as well as its complementary checklistexternal link 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 Clearexternal link or MyWorldAbroadexternal link (registration with a @uOttawa.ca email is required to use MyWorldAbroad).

Established globally Noth 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: 2016-05-10