Ryerson Placement Office was first opened in 1949 with Mr. A.H. Britton running a part-time service for graduating students seeking employment. In preparation Mr. Britton sought out numerous employers in the Toronto area. In 1949 these same companies were contacting him for employable students. The were plenty of available employment opportunities. By 1965 demands were so high for placements three placement officers were needed.

In 1967 the federal government took over the Placement Office, renaming it the Canada Manpower Centre; however, it continued to be refered to as the Placement Office or Centre. The new Student Services department opened the same year within which was the Placement Office.

Services for summer employment started in the late 1970s, The first annual Careers’ Fair in 1984. In cost-cutting measures, the federal government closed the Canada Manpower Centre in WHEN? putting the whole office at risk. Acting President Dennis Mock fought to keep the Placement Centre open (1990-1991) and the students generated a petition in support of the Centre. Both Ryerson and Employment Canada reached an agreement to keep the Centre for another year. A five-year grant of $365,000 from the private Counselling Foundation of Canada saved the Placement Centre in 1991 prompting a name change to the Ryerson Career Centre.

Expanded services included continuing education students in 1993 and to alumni in 1997.

A student referendum held in 1995 voted an additional $50 fee toward the operation of the Career Centre. A private donation of $750,000 from the Bank of Montreal was given for the new Mentoring and Career Resource Centre (separate from the Career Centre).

Another name change to Career Development and Employment Centre and then in 2014 name was changed once again to the Career Centre.