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.

Are you having a hard time deciding on whether or not to go on exchange or field school? Are you passionate about topics like national security, defence, and diplomacy? Find out what Cornel has to say about his experience with SFU NATO Club! 

Interviews can be a stressful event, full of anxiety and confusion. Much like the dating world, interviews are a first meeting where you are desperately hoping the other person will like you and vice versa. Here are some things to keep in mind for either situation.

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. 

We are all used to hearing of the impossibility of finding a career after university, and that our degree alone is not a golden ticket to landing that dream job after graduation. While it can seem like a daunting task to find work experience, it may be easier than you think.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

When you’re starting off in a new workplace, it can be daunting talking to people who carry the title of CEO, director, and everything in between. While you may feel like a small potato compared to the big spud, it’s important to remember that everyone has to start somewhere. Lindsay shares her story on why your future self will thank you for building your connections early on through Co-op.

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.

Before hitting submit on that job posting, you may be asking yourself: “Would I blend well with the culture and dynamic of this organization?” For Anna, this question was the ultimatum that steered her away from pursuing a more structured marketing position. Instead, she accepted an opportunity with Silverstring Media. Here, she found her niche creating illustrations for independent media that strongly aligned with her own values and beliefs.