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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
Group photo at WorkSafeBC
Discovering my Career Path in Investment Management

My university experience has been a roller coaster to say the least. From moving to a brand-new city without knowing anyone to embarking on multiple co-ops in finance related roles, I discovered who I wanted to become and the path I needed to take to get there.

Seven co-workers smiling and posing for the camera while wearing matching blue t-shirts and blue caps.
My ‘Future Friendly’ Experience at TELUS

Read on to learn about Jacky's valuable co-op experience that transformed his self-doubt into professional development at Telus!

Compass displayed on a phone for navigation
When You Don't Get 'The ONE'

So maybe you did not land your dream co-op job.  Don't despair - Rutendo explains how an unexpected position might just be a huge blessing in disguise.  

Sunset viewed from a plane window
From Tech-E@SFU to Chinese Hardware Accelerator

Mechatronic Systems Engineering student, Ryan Threlfall travelled across the world to build a sleep-wearable that will help millions of habitual snorers. 

Guninder smiling and pointing up
A Series of Fortunate Events

Mechatronic Systems Engineering student Guninder Malhi, shares how experience gained through an SFU research position allowed him to build the skills necessary to kick start a career. 

Elderly and young hand reaching for a rose
Preparing for End of Life Care: An Interview with Shannon Ediger

How do you want to live at the end of your life? Seerit Hara shares her interview with her co-op supervisor at Langley Memorial Hospital about the importance of advance care planning. 

Man and woman sitting and listening at the Wosc Centre
Paving the Way for Community Engagement

Engaging with our communities provides opportunities to connect, grow, and give back. Jasleen shares how her co-op with the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue lived up to SFU's reputation as Canada's most engaged university. 

Juliette on a hike
When it Comes to Your Career, Try Everything

Do you look into the future and see a thousand different paths after graduation? Juliette reflects on her time at Careers in Communications and reveals the benefits of figuring out what you hate before deciding what you love.  

Tony Cheng Portrait
A Journey of Courage and Gratitude

Tony Cheng's experience with CanCap Pharmaceutical served as a reminder that personal growth is often about taking initiative, having gratitude, and getting out of your comfort zone. 

Emily Watt with friends
Technical Writing for the Creative Writer

Creativity doesn't stop in the world of a technical writer.  Emily reveals how writing "is often much more than imagery and metaphors" and that stepping out of your comfort zone might just reveal a whole new path.  

Yoga Pose
Finding Ways to Keep Active

Here are some tips on how to get some physical activity in while at the Burnaby, Vancouver, or Surrey campus.

Ali and his colleagues
Tips for Attending a Conference

Attending a Conference can be a remarkable experience- that is if you plan to make it that way.  Ali shares six tips to prepare for a conference so you can make sure it’s worth your while.

People at a hospital
Tips for Volunteering in Health Care

Are you interested in pursuing a career in health care? Kelly looks into how volunteering can help get you there!

3 students dressed in professional wardrobe
A Guide to Workplace Attire

You start a new job next week, but you have no idea what to wear, and what does business casual mean anyway? Pretty sure that's an oxymoron. While I can't take you shopping, I can help you decide what's appropriate - and what's not.

 

Student sitting on the staircase
The End of the Semester, the End of the Year: Time to Reflect

The end of the Fall semester, and 2012, is coming to a close. Some people believe in making new years’ resolutions with goals of bettering themselves, while some people are content with just letting the new year roll in. Instead of focusing on making future goals, why not reflect on everything that you have done this year?

Mimi Tsai Portrait
Research and Design: Reflection and Learning with the City of Surrey

Mimi's co-op as a UX Designer at the City of Surrey provided opportunities to improve user experience by creating digital solutions for city services through user-centered design. Read her story, here. 

Cody Chau Portrait
How Volunteering Leads to Workplace Success

"Have you ever asked yourself these questions – Why should I volunteer? Is stepping out of my comfort zone really going to benefit me?  If you have, then you are on the right page!"

A student working alone in a library
Life as an International Student: The Things We Don't Talk About

There are a lot of things your international student friends have never told you. From depression to pressure to stereotypes -  life isn't always easy when you are studying abroad. Read an international students take on life overseas. 

Taylor Nguyen Portrait
Banking is not Boring!

When Taylor Nguyen imagined working at a large bank, she pictured cubicles, formal attire, and stacks of documents. What she found instead were opportunities to learn and create in a fun and collaborative environment. 

Fahad Faruque at PepsiCo
Small Fish in Big Pond: Working for PepsiCo

Fahad Faruque discusses highlights from his co-op semester in quality assurance at PepsiCo. 

Christopher Pun standing next to a "WorkSafe BC" banner
The Art of Giving (and Receiving) Feedback

Beedie Business student, Christopher Pun shares what he's learned about the art of giving and receiving feedback in the workplace. 

Yasmin on the swings at a beach
How I Made the Most of my International Co-op Position in the Most Expensive City in the World

An unexpected offer to extend a stay in San Fransisco for co-op turned into the experience of a lifetime for health sciences students, Yasmin Khalili. Read about her incredible summer in sunny California. 

Alyssa Chan and her team at work
From Doubtful to Confident: How I Adapted to Working Life

Sometimes self-doubt can get the better of us. Read Alyssa's article to find out how they were able to overcome feelings of doubt and transform them into self-confidence. 

Ashley
Growing Pains: From Classroom to Corporate

Here are 5 common thoughts paired with affirmations to combat those negative, self-deprecating feelings so you can succeed and reach your full potential. Because these pesky thoughts are only holding you back!

Isabelle and Elisabeth in Nepal
Providing Free Healthcare to Those in Need

On placement with Partnership for Sustainable Development in Kathmandu, Nepal, Health Sciences students Isabelle and Elisabeth decided to extend their contribution to a community in need and enrich their learning experience, by raising resources for a Free Health Camp.

a guy wearing a black Tesla jacket looking at the Golden Gate bridge
How I Landed a Co-op at Tesla

It is not hard to produce a perfect car. The difficulty lies in manufacturing 100,000 cars exactly alike. Read about the challenges Ryan learned about while working at Tesla, helping to manufacture modern luxury vehicles. 

a night view of Toronto
Venturing into the Unknown: A Co-op Story in Eastern Canada

Venturing out into adulthood can be a challenging experience. At the same time, it can be very eye-opening. For Emily, completing a co-op term in Toronto was the perfect opportunity for independence and adventure. 

a man and a woman looking at computer screens in a lab setting
Co-op in Research: The Value of Trying New Things

Of the many career paths to try, research is an opportunity to apply lessons learned in the classroom to the real world. Matthew Malinab shares how a co-op with FAISAL opened his eyes to new career possibilities. 

Parliment HIll (Ottawa)
Experiencing What Life Has to Offer in Ottawa Ontario

Moving away from home and starting a new job is both exciting and scary. This fall, Hannah began her first co-op term in Ottawa. Here she shares the ups and downs and why she would do it again in a heartbeat.

the author smiling against her workplace backdrop
Through the Lens of a Patient: A First-Hand Look into Fraser Health’s Model of Patient Care

Patients across BC should expect to receive excellent care from our health system, and it usually delivers. Rasha Syed shares why the best way to assess the healthcare system is to hear patient experiences.