Careers with a child studies degree
Studying Child Studies means understanding how children learn, grow and thrive, and how to support them through engaging, meaningful experiences.
What can I do with my degree? Graduates are recognized by Quebec’s Ministère de la Famille to work in preschool settings and often pursue further studies in teaching, occupational therapy, social work and speech and language psychology.
Skills you'll develop
Your degree builds more than academic knowledge, it shapes the way you think, communicate and collaborate. Throughout your studies, you'll develop key skills for your career, such as:
Functional knowledge:
Apply key educational approaches in real-world early childhood and school-age settings
Communication:
Connect with children, families and professionals in clear, compassionate and meaningful ways
Management and organization:
Design, organize and lead engaging educational and recreational activities tailored to different age groups and developmental needs
Teamwork:
Collaborate within interdisciplinary teams to create inclusive spaces that support every child’s well-being
Critical thinking and problem solving:
Think creatively and design child-centered solutions, even in complex or changing environments
As a Concordia student, you will develop valuable skills to bring to any career opportunity.
Beyond the classroom: Build your career path
Getting involved outside of the classroom can help you discover your interests, develop new skills and build a network of peers and professionals in your field.
First year
- Get support organizing your busy schedule at the Time Management Clinic.
- Join a club or participate in an extracurricular activity that matches your interests.
- Improve your language fluency in French or English through conversation practice.
- Browse the CAPS online job bank for opportunities to gain work experience.
Middle years
- Connect with Career Counselling & Education Transitions to start planning your career path.
- Volunteer with an organization for a cause you care about.
- Enrich your global perspective by studying abroad for an academic term.
- Join the community-based internship program to drive meaningful change while building professional skills.
- Get paid work experience and tackle real-world challenges with District 3’s 12-week summer residency program.
Final year
- Explore courses in Child Studies with an experiential learning component.
- Learn how to manage group projects and communicate clearly through FutureBound’s teamwork modules.
- Network with potential employers at recruitment events and career fairs.
Specialize your studies
Minors & elective groups
You can customize your degree by adding a minor or elective group. Popular choices with this program include:
Graduate studies and certifications
Graduate studies can help you specialize in a subject you love, engage in meaningful research or open doors to new career paths. Certifications are a great way to build new skills that complement your degree.
Talk to your professors or a career counsellor at the Student Success Centre to find programs that fit your goals.
Start exploring:
- Universitystudy.ca: A data base of graduate programs in Canada
- Concordia’s School of Graduate Studies: Graduate programs offered at Concordia
- Graduate funding and awards: Scholarships and awards, research and teaching assistantships, and other financial supports for Concordia graduate students
- Concordia Continuing Education: Courses, workshops and programs to advance your career
Career exploration resources
Professional associations
Access professional associations to explore opportunities and expand your network.
- Association des haltes-garderies communautaires du Québec
- Association d’éducatrices et d’éducateurs de la petite enfance du Québec
- Association canadienne d'éducation de langue française
- Canadian Child Care Federation
- Child Care Advocacy
- Ministère de la Famille
- National Association for Family Child Care
- The Quebec Association for Preschool Professional Development
Job banks
Career counselling & advising
Want tailored career advice? Book an appointment with one of our career counsellors or career advisors.
Start your job search
Career Advising and Professional Success (CAPS) can help you find opportunities and support you with networking, applications and interviews.
