It isn’t always easy to get your first local job as an international student. However, there may be some short-cuts that you didn’t know about. Siyu Liu, a fourth-year business student, has advice for fellow international students on how to build local work experience
Co-operative Education
What one fourth-year student discovered while wandering through the Ridiculous Darkness, searching for the right path in life, theatre, and the pursuit of happiness.
It is easy to become stressed in an unfamiliar and fast-pace working environment, no matter which field you are in. Good strategies not only help you reduce your uncomfortable feeling, but also lead you to learn faster and work efficiently. I spent one year in OSI Maritime Systems as a mechanical engineering co-op student, and I have concluded 4 tips that are essential for anyone who struggling with stress at work!
I used to be afraid of applying for software related co-ops, let alone working in software development/testing environments. In this article, I am going over my journey about how I overcame that fear and got into a software co-op.
Join Yee Ting on an adventure into the wilderness as they take us on an armchair journey into working with the INAC’s Resource and Land Management team. Read on to find out what Yee Ting's co-op position entails and how they gained real life experience in the field.
Criminology student, Tylor Mason, enjoyed his co-op with British Columbia's Employment Standards Branch so much that a four-month placement quickly turned into one year. Find out why, here.
Embarking on your first Co-op placement? Thinking of applying to the Co-op program? In this comic guide, Linnea offers five tips that will give you a fresh outlook on how to update your resume, build up the confidence to go on interviews, and set yourself up for success. You’ve got this!
When opportunities in Vancouver were slim, I took the chance of embracing an experience on the other side of Canada, and in the process gained experience, networks, and memories that defined my final summer of university.
Read Lauren's story about why she decided to take a co-op position that is not directly related to her field of study and the benefits that came with it.
To anyone out there considering working for a not-for-profit organization, I want to share the lessons I learned at Watershed Watch with you.
If you are about to start applying for co-ops or trying to decide if another co-op term at the same organization is right for you, read about my experience of how a surprising situation can lead to a positive experience.
If you want to extract every opportunity from your co-op term, take these proactive steps to grow professionally beyond your job title.
Linh shares her experience working in the HR department of a biotech firm.
See how I faced my fears and worked for a company I never would have imagined working for.
Keep on reading below to learn how I succeeded in my co-op term as an introvert and overcame my impostor syndrome.
My first Co-op was an invaluable experience as I dabbled in the world of social media marketing, blog writing, events management and much more!
Written during Liz's time at her international Co-op with the International Paralympic Committee, learn how it was a dream come true as it helped her grow both professionally and personally.
Mechatronic Systems Engineering graduate, Zahra Haeri, went in to interview for a co-op position at General Motors but left with an offer for a full-time permanent position. Read Zahra's story on moving from Iran, and the common ground between engineering and jiu-jitsu.
Communications graduate Kelly Furey, shares how co-op helped her develop a career before graduation.
Starting in a new workplace as an introvert can seem like a terrifying thing. Even though Camille would much rather hide behind the camera and observe, she knew that the easy way out doesn’t EVER produce the most growth and value.
Congratulations! You got the job offer, but now what? The first 100 days of a new job are critical for your future success -- whether that means leading a project or simply showing your team that you are an eager learner. This blog will show you how to make the most of your first 100 days on the job.
As many university students know, the start of many major projects begins with a very simple thing -- procrastination. And that is definitely what Jeremiah did before departing for their co-op term in South Korea. However, they soon found that when it comes to teaching you have to have a plan. Read Jeremiah's story to learn more about Teach and Learn in Korea!
When Tarnjeet Thandi would tell others about her joint major, they tended to wonder how Molecular Biology and Biochemistry could be related to Business Administration. Prior to joining co-op, Tarnjeet sometimes wondered the same. Read her story about clarifying career options through co-op.
Landing an internship at an embassy is a dream come true for students interested in diplomacy, foreign policy, international trade and development. Students have the opportunity to gain invaluable experience in dynamic, fast-paced, and highly rewarding environments, while learning from leaders in international relations.
Health Sciences student, Philipp Michaluk discusses the value of searching for co-op positions close to home from his experience as a research assistant at SFU's Epigenetics Laboratory.
Are you a Health Sciences student, fascinated by Reproductive Medicine and Clinical Research? So is Miranda! In this article, Miranda shares her experiences working for a Fertility Centre as a research assistant, and all that she learned along the way.
Communications Co-op student, Ashley Fraser, spent the summer interning at CBC Radio as part of the coveted Peter Gzowski Internship Program. Ashley shares how she got there and her advice for students pursuing careers in journalism.
Adam Bignell shares his experience from an eight-month co-op with Safe Software Inc. A co-op term spent developing support for raster and point cloud, but with an added dose of team-building and foosball to balance out the workload.
Vadim shares how proactively building connections in the workplace helped fund his capstone and pivot his career.
My first co-op position took me halfway across the globe to a rural town in India. Although there are many events that stand out in my life, none compare to this extraordinary and life-changing experience.
On placement with Partnership for Sustainable Development in Kathmandu, Nepal, Health Sciences students Marie Purificacion and Tessa Leyland decided to extend their contribution to a community in need and enrich their learning experience, by raising resources for a Free Health Camp.
Shipping a product isn’t as simple as proposing a new idea or a new design. Careful consideration is given to how a project is approached by developers, users, and other key stakeholders. Amanda shares the importance of designing in phases and the considerations she took working as a UX designer.
This is the story of how one Psychology and Criminology student went from being a diligent undergraduate at SFU to a fun-loving English teacher in South Korea. Read Queenie's story to learn more about how you can Teach and Learn in Korea, too!
First impressions are given a lot of stock in the professional world. But what do you do if you've made a bad one? Learn how to recover gracefully with these tips.
Are you thinking about traveling to Japan for international co-op? Here are some tips that may help you kick start your journey.
While Katherine was seeking for her second co-op, she ofter wondered: "what kinds of jobs out there could make both my extraverted and introverted sides happy? Is there even a job that has a balance of both components that would allow me to thrive?" When applying to TeamWell Health, Katherine didn’t have many expectations, and surely did not expect that the job would be the perfect fit.
Endless mountains of food? Check. Colleagues to play Pokemon Go with? Check. A pile of daunting audit work to get through? Check. Was it worth it? Read Wee Nie Tham's article to find out about their experience at Deloitte, in Malaysia!
Feeling stuck on the outside of the job market looking in? Need experience for a job but a job for experience? Read how one Master of Resource Management candidate made his way out of “the trap”.
Ever wonder what it’s like to work for a crown corporation? Read on to see what it has been like for 4th year Business student, Kathy Lee, who is completing an 8-month co-op term as an Engagement Assistant with BC Housing.
Going into your new Co-op position, the last thing you want to hear is, “Are you even old enough to be working.” How do you get the point across that you’re a capable professional with a lot to offer? Natasha has you covered.
Fourth year, Kinesiology student, Alexandra Lukac, shares how taking action allowed her to navigate her co-op journey.
Jennifer landed their first ever co-op placement as a Chiropractic Assistant and Laser Technician. Now, you may be asking what exactly is a ‘Laser Technician’ and how are lasers related to chiropractic? Moreover, what on earth does hygiene have to do with our spines and why is this important for rehabilitation? Read on to find out!
My passion for hockey has brought me to China to coach hockey for the summer. From Ottawa to China, SFU Co-op has helped me explore my interests and expand my learning while giving me skills, practical work experience and an opportunity to travel.
As a co-op student, one of the toughest decisions you will make is whether to extend your contract or to go back to school. In this blog, I provide a detailed guide to help you decide whether to extend, or not to extend.
Before my first co-op, I had a similar resume to most of my classmates. We had all taken the same courses and worked on the same projects and labs. After co-op, I had a unique set of skills and experiences that differentiated me from my classmates which made me stand out to future employers.
On my first day of work, I woke up too early, rehearsed too much, and imagined too many scenarios which didn’t end up happening. I thought, “What if the students don’t listen to me? What if they don’t like my lesson? What if they don’t like ME!?” Looking back at my experience teaching English in South Korea, it’s funny to think that I began my new life plagued with all of these worries.
As a co-op student with little experience, it sometimes seems like all you are doing is asking questions. That is why it is important to make sure you are asking good questions. What are good questions? They are evidence of your thought process, ability to think outside of the box, and knack for problem solving. Read this article to learn more about what makes a question good, and how to make questions your competitive advantage.
Interested in a career with a company who values your identity and culture? A company who’s committed to a diverse workforce, while offering unique opportunities and professional growth. A company who supports and encourages employees from a shared background and culture to help drive understanding, empathy and change. If so, ICBC may be right for you.
Interested in a career with a company who values your identity and culture? A company who’s committed to a diverse workforce, while offering unique opportunities and professional growth. A company who supports and encourages employees from a shared background and culture to help drive understanding, empathy and change. If so, ICBC may be right for you.
It is not hard to produce a perfect car. The difficulty lies in manufacturing 100,000 cars exactly alike. Read about the challenge of manufacturing modern luxury vehicles at Tesla Inc.
Do you want to challenge yourself? If so, TaLK may be the right opportunity for you. Read about Mila's story on how the TaLk program transformed her perspective
If I won’t be doing software engineering what will I be doing? A co-op term spent migrating a decade’s worth of data.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work for a provincial or regional health authority? I turned my curiosity into two 8-month co-op terms with Provincial Health Services Authority, and Fraser Health Authority. This is my co-op story.
Are you in the process of applying to a federal government co-op position but are unsure of what to expect or whether you’re on the right track? Check out these tips that Christie, a fourth year Criminology co-op student, has to offer after dedicating four of her work terms to various agencies within the federal public sector.