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Welcome

Being one of OLC's classic storytelling tools, blogs are crafted by SFU Community members which include the everyday student as well as expert voices. This is where we share touching stories, resourceful advice, and insightful knowledge with each other. In keeping with the OLC vision, the following blogs are created by and for students, so why not contribute to the OLC today?

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INTERNATIONAL

 

Changing Times: Stories to Inspire Hope and Resilience

 

Kaylla
Staying Productive While Working Remotely for a Health Authority

Working from home is a common reality for many Co-op students in the past year. Working from home while working for a Health Authority in the thick of the pandemic is a tremendous experience Kaylla went through last year. Take a look at how she learned to stay productive in these uncertain times.

The Latest

 

THE LATEST
Open laptop on black table with google search of "how to co-op?", in between a mug and stack of books. Background of image shows icons of paintbrush, camera, blackboard with math, atom, money, and construction worker.
What I Wish I Knew When Seeking Co-op Jobs

During my semester of scouring through SFU’s myExperience portal for jobs, I had to learn a lot of things the hard way, which probably led to me getting a job pretty last minute. But I don’t think I’m the only one who has fallen into the trap of destructive habits that creep through the cracks on the road to success. Below is a list of things I wish I had known when I started seeking for Co-op jobs that I hope will help other Communication Co-op job seekers.

A hand holding a camera in front of a blue sky.
Finding Inspiration Even When You're Stuck in a Rut

Finding inspiration during the pandemic can be hard. OLC Content Creator Terae Walters gives us some pointers on where she finds inspiration for creative projects, from photography to beyond. 

7 people sitting around a table in a meeting
7 Ways to Have a Successful Meeting With Your Supervisor or Team

A big meeting is coming up at work and you have no idea how you will contribute in a way that is meaningful. Jacky went from anxious to ambitious during his co-op work term as a Student Researcher, learning the ins and outs of leadership and proactive participation in team meetings. Here are his 7 tips for preparing for your upcoming work gathering.

Seven people walking through the hallway.
Welcome Back to Campus! Let Us Help You Rebuild Your Social Life

Now that SFU is reopening, many of you may be excited to kickstart your social life again! We want you to feel confident about how to get involved, make friends and feel fulfilled - in clubs, peer leadership, volunteer, jobs or work.

Sam
Government Jobs: Boring or Overly Bureaucratic? Think Again!

Riding hovercrafts while at work, meeting renowned scientists, being the resident expert for introducing new software. These are all experiences Sam encountered while at his government job with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Read on to learn how his co-op job with the government was neither boring nor overly bureaucratic.

Melissa
A Co-op Survival Guide: How I Managed to Work on Two Teams at a Major Health Authority

When Melissa was brought onboard as a Co-op student at Fraser Health, she learned that she'd have the opportunity to work for not one but two different teams within her portfolio. Though a little scary at first, she embraced the challenge dove in. Read on to see what she learned during her Co-op experience.

Audrey standing in front of a vista while hiking
An Interview With Co-op Student Audrey Heath

Casey Cheng, a Co-op student with the SFU Work-integrated Learning (WIL) Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) team, interviews Audrey Heath about her Co-op position with the SFU Indigenous Student Centre (ISC). Casey and Audrey discuss cultural safety, expectations & objectives, and how co-op supports professional and educational development.

Pink carnations coming out of a manila envelope
Letters to Myself: My Co-op Journey

Co-op can be an exciting, rewarding, and terrifying experience. Sometimes, we wish we could tell things to our past self, get advice from our future self or just reflect on how far we've come. In this blog, Katie writes letters to her past, present, and future selves about her co-op journey and the progress she's made. 

Taylor
What Worked, What I Could've Done Better and Lessons Learned While Working From Home

Taylor's seen the highs and lows of working from home and is here to tell you all about what worked and what didn't as he supported Vancouver Coastal Health as a Junior Business Analyst. Read on to learn from his carefully thought-out tips and tricks for making the most of a remote work term.

The new sustainable energy engineering campus in Surrey
What Is Sustainable Energy Engineering Co-op Like? Hear From Two Senior Students!

Curious about what Sustainable Energy Engineering co-op is like? Hear from two Senior SEE students, Danielle Arciaga & Kia Brownridge about their co-op experiences as they near graduation. 

Open laptop on the centre of wooden table, in between a notebook and pencil, a cell phone, and a cup of coffee
3 Reasons to Consider an 8-Month Co-op

In the process of searching for a Co-op job, you may be thinking “an 8-month co-op seems so long, so a 4-month position is probably the way to go”. Read on for Marilyn's reasons why an 8-month Co-op can be so much more rewarding. 

Two elderly people sitting on a couch and browsing on a tablet
Venturing into the Senior Care Sector During the COVID-19 Pandemic

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Naomi headed into into her first Co-op work term as an HR Intern at West Coast Seniors Housing Management. She came of the experience while witnessing first-hand the struggle of the industry and quick responses needed to continue caring for our elderly population.

Illustration of 6 people talking in different languages
When English Isn’t Your First Language

“Gosh Roop! Are you really an international student? But you do not speak with an accent. Wow, I would have never guessed that.” Through anecdotes and introspection, Roop shares a compelling narrative of the struggles of why International students face challenges due to language barriers and biases.

A women smiling at the camera
Yulia Dmitrieva: Working with Fuel Cell Systems While On Co-op

MSE co-op student, Yulia, describes her interesting job as a Mechanical Engineer at Cellcentric. Cellcentric is a fuel cell organization whose mission is to “bring together 30 years’ worth of extensive experience in developing safe and efficient world-class fuel cell systems. By using hydrogen in our fuel cells, we create energy without emitting anything but pure water.”

A closeup of the Mail app
Writing a Professional Email 101

Former SLC English as Additional Language Peer Bessie W. returns with tips and tricks for writing a professional email. Just in time to help you reach out to your professor or TA to get clarification on those first assignments...

Sharon and Olivia standing in front of the vaccination clinic
Taking Their Shot: How SFU Health Sciences Students Are Supporting Fraser Health Vaccination Efforts

SFU health sciences students Sharon Kular and Olivia Tomlinson have been working as co-op students to support vaccination efforts in the Fraser Health Authority this summer

The author standing in front of the SAP logo
Five Co-op Work Terms: What I Learned Along the Way

Five co-op work terms might sound like a lot, but it was definitely a valuable journey for Winnie. Read on to learn more about Winnie’s Co-op journey as she transitions from her student life to work life, her takeaways from these positions, and her final thoughts on the Co-op program

A woman standing with a cardboard box on her head
How to Navigate Student Mindset Traps

When students enter their first or second Co-op work term, there can be a risk of falling into student mindset traps. These are the habits we pick up as students that are detrimental to our professional performance and development. Read on to learn more about how Bowen learned to avoid student mindset traps after four Co-op semesters working for three different companies.

Girl standing next to sign that says "Schneider Electric", pointing at sign.
What it’s Really Like Working at a Multinational Fortune 500 Company

As a Marketing and Communications Intern at Schneider Electric’s Solar Business, I’ve gotten the opportunity to work with so many professionals around the world. Don’t worry, it’s not as stressful as it sounds. In this blog, I'll talk about some of the things I've learned while working for a multinational Fortune 500 company.

A women with glasses is smiling and sitting at a park
Alex Hoang: Working as a Software Developer in the Mental Healthcare Sector

Ever wonder what it would be like to work as a software engineer in the healthcare sector? If so, read about Alex Hoang's co-op experience at Greenspace Mental Health. Greenspace Mental Health “is a web-based platform that helps mental health therapists easily measure and monitor patient progress” and during her co-op, Alex has been mostly maintaining and adding new features to Greenspace’s web platform. 

Priyanka
Co-op Student Graduating This Fall Recognized for Her Work Fostering Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

SFU co-op student Priyanka Krishna is a winner of the IMPACT 2020 student story showcase presented by the Association for Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning BC/Yukon (ACE-WIL) for her work in fostering equity, diversity and inclusion. Read on to learn more about her work and what she is most proud of.

Photo of Helen Sofia Pahou
Embracing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Through Co-op

One of the most important lessons fourth-year student and aspiring lawyer, Helen Sofia Pahou, has learned at SFU is to “always lean into new experiences.” This realization drove the political science major and double minor in international studies and legal studies to sign up for SFU’s Co-operative Education (co-op) program.

Illustrated people using Zoom platforms in a variety of ways
You Too Can Host a Zoom Meeting!

Have you ever wanted to host a Zoom meeting of your own? With a bit of practice, Sinead shows how you can easily learn this versatile tool and pull off virtual meetings and events with confidence.

A young women with glasses is smiling in the camera.
Kayla Wu: Working as a UX/UI Designer in the Financial Sector

SIAT co-op student, Kayla Wu, describes her interesting job as a UX/UI designer at Remitbee. Remitbee is a financial organization whose mission is to “Spark the financial revolution by connecting people and money - across borders, currencies, and cultures and is currently looking to hire 15 co-op students for the Fall 2021 semester, so SFU co-op students seeking for a co-op placement this term are highly encouraged to apply.

Laptop on table next to copper mug, surrounded by string lights
Supporting Students (and Myself) during the Pandemic while on Co-op at SFU Health & Counselling

Searching for Co-op and wondering what it’s like working for SFU? How about working for SFU Health & Counselling (SFU HCS) during the pandemic? Read as Christy recounts her Co-op experience at SFU HCS and how it has helped her enhance well-being while helping other students.

A young man sitting on a park bench, listening to music with his seeing cane resting beside him
Today I Experienced the World Through the Perspective of a Person who is Blind

Roop was on her way home from school when a new passenger boarded the bus. Using a creative, short story narrative, she takes us through her internal dialogue and challenges assumptions. Read on to learn where this journey ends up taking Roop.

Arua standing in front of window, looking at camera
Conquering Unexpected Industries Through My Co-op Journey

Throughout this past year, I got to try out a variety of roles working in completely different industries. While all of my positions were marketing-related, each of them tackled a different aspect of digital marketing, challenging me to grow personally and professionally. In this article, I describe my entire Co-op journey and the things I learned along the way. 

A man smiling at the camera
Brandyn Chew: Working in the Maritime Security Sector as a 3D Designer

This week’s SFU Surrey Co-op featured student is Brandyn Chew, a SIAT student who has been doing some super interesting 3D design work at his co-op job. Brandyn is currently working at OSI Maritime Systems Ltd which is “a leading provider of integrated navigation and tactical solutions designed for naval and maritime security operations.”   

Thea sitting on grass with her laptop
Applying Lessons From my Co-op Experience to my Health During a Pandemic

Thea translates the knowledge she gained from her Co-op work term as a Student Obesity Medicine Assistant, and with the added contextual challenge of the pandemic, shows how she uses these tips and tricks to improve her personal health. Read on to learn more about her clever advice and see how you can easily incorporate them into your daily life.

Photo of Ghezal
Determination, Perseverance, and Community

Fourth-year Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies student Ghezal Durrani’s story is that of determination, perseverance, and resilience despite the odds typically stacked against those who immigrate to Canada in similar circumstances. Reflecting upon her past as a teenage bride, her experience with education, and her life’s journey (so far), Ghezal’s story is nothing short of inspiring.