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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
Claire standing in front of the SFU building, looking to a distance
Getting Started in a Startup: My Co-op at Coral Health

Thinking about doing a co-op with a start-up company? Read Claire's co-op experience to find out what it was like!

Image of Grace sitting down, facing the water at a beach in Australia
Exchange Experience: Discovering Myself Through Travelling

What does it mean to be alone but not lonely? Grace Chang talks about self-discovery, studying abroad and her adventures in Australia.

Ivy Choi
The Pre-Interview Pep-Talk You Never Knew You Needed

Landing the interview is a big and the first step towards experiences that will help you throughout your working life. Here are some of Ivy's top tips on pre-interview preparations. 

a planner with some wild flowers layout on top
Organize Yourself: Tips on Managing Your Work

Struggling to organize your workflow? Don't worry! Read more of Sharon's blog as she gives useful and practical tips on how to manage your time and work!

Sharon Huang's portrait
Choosing a Start-Up Over a Large Corporation

Are you uncertain whether to pursue a co-op at a large corporation or a small company? Sharon Huang shares why she chose to launch her career at a start-up. 

TRIUMF particle accelerator
A Penny in a Sea of Sheldons: My Co-op at TRIUMF

You see a job posting, you read the description, you become interested. You apply for the job, you get interviewed, then you get hired. Now what? Anh Vu, shares how she learned the ropes at TRIUMF. 

Mikaela standing in front of her company's logo
Loving the Non-Profit Life

Working at non-profit organizations may have a less-than-desirable reputation among students, especially regarding pay and prestige; and while it may not look as glamorous as working in a big corporate firm, it has a few unique perks to help you gain valuable experience. 

Pat Chaisang standing in front of SAP's sign
Five Easy Hacks to Excel at your Co-op!

When it comes to an experience of a lifetime like an internship, the one question we ask ourselves over and over again is “how do I make the most out of this experience?” In this blog, I would like to share with you five game-changing strategies that you can start implementing at work!

Matvei Rudenko
Growing Your Skills by the Hour: Working in a Fast-Paced Start-Up

Read about Matvei's co-op experience at a start-up company and how this life-changing opportunity helped his career development journey.

an elephant with a speech bubble
Four Years of University: Quantity of Time vs. Quality of Experience

There are lots of reasons that can scare you away from taking more than four years to finish university. What if your friends finish early? What about the cost? While these are valid concerns, remember that university is a chance to gain experience. 

hands smoothing out dirt
Empowerment through Volunteering: An Interview with Eva Ang

Have you ever wondered how some people manage to do it all? In this interview, Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology student, Eva Ang, offers tips on juggling work, school, volunteering and life.

animation of graduation cap
Is Grad School the Right Next-Step?

If you are about to finish your undergraduate degree, you might be wondering if you should go to grad school. But how do you know if grad school is right for you? Srijani Datta,  breaks it down. 

a person drinking coffee holding a pen and a notebook by her laptop
The Job Hunt: Survival Skills

While the decision to look for a job might come easily, getting a job that you really want might not. Looking for that perfect job can often be an arduous and protracted process. Learn how to financially survive those long weeks or months with these tips. 

Dumbells, a tea kettle, eye mask
The Job Hunt: Self-Care

Looking for a great job can be taxing on your mind and body. Srijani Datta, shares tips on how to keep it together during a long and difficult job hunt.

4 people standing with cooked foods
Community Cooking Workshops: Why We Love Them So Much

As a student, food is literally my life. I wish I was joking but food is how I bond with friends, how I cope with exams and what I use to wake myself up in the morning. 

Katherine smiling behind bushes
Phone Confidence

Is talking on the phone nerve-wracking for you?  You aren't alone.  Katherine offers some tips on how to be a better communicator through the phone.  

Jien
'Til We Meet Again

Recently graduated, Jien Hilario reflects back on university, career choices, convocation and her blog series I Am Able. 

Student studying
5 Practical Study Tips for Learning Efficiently

Studying does not have to be painful nor require enormous amounts of time and effort. Discover how to become a more efficient learner with these five unconventional study tips. 

girl smiling looking to the side while food is behind her on the table
Familiar, Yet Not So Familiar

International Co-ops aren't the only way to submerge yourself in a culture.  Gurleen shares her co-op experience through which she gained a new perspective of her culture right here in Vancouver.  

a cup on the desk that says "Hustle"
4 Steps to Prepare for Graduating University

If you’re steps away from graduating, read on to see how I prepared to make the post-graduation world less intimidating.

a basketball goal went in
#Goals: Lessons from Bo Sanchez

Having a goal allows us to take aim and move forward. Jien, shares lessons in goal-setting from Bo Sanchez's How to Conquer your Goliaths, and offers her own personal experiences of goal-setting and achieving. 

Puneet
Learning by Doing: How Co-op Puts Theory Into Practice

Puneet Sran shares her experience from her most recent co-op with Verathon: "As someone who never imagined being an engineer, I have been extremely fortunate to work in such a technical field, among highly intelligent individuals". 

a person holding a rubix cube
How to be a Newbie: Pro Tips for Non-Pros

Co-op is a learning experience. Learning experiences aren’t about the “Aha!” moments. They’re about how you get there – and carry yourself through awkward growing pains... 

johnny bunko comic
Right Versus Wrong: Career Lessons from Johnny Bunko

Success does not follow a linear path and neither will your career. Jien shares some fundamental lessons from "The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need.", while also reflecting on her own personal experiences learning these lessons. 

William
New Opportunities in a Changing Canada

A co-op semester at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) allowed International Studies student, William Reid, to learn more about Canada's relationship with Indigenous people. Read more, here. 

a girl looking out into space
Depression in Universities | Part One | What Every Student Needs to Know About Having Depression

Mental illness can affect anyone. If our society is to help end the stigma, the first step is to gain knowledge on the subject. This blog post connects readers with what it is like to have depression. 

two empty chairs facing each other in a dark room
Depression in Universities | Part 2 | How You and Your University Can Help

Part two of our “Depression in Universities” series brings us to how you and your university can support those who are working to overcome mental illness. Keep on reading to learn how you can help end the stigma with depression. 

Image of a diverse group of people dressed in business attire, standing in a semi-circle, laughing and drinking together
Working in an English-Speaking Environment

In today's global labour market, the ability to converse in a second language is an increasingly useful skill. Here, Jessica Tse shares some tips she learned as an international student from Hong Kong working in an English speaking environment.

a woman holding a mug that says "like a boss"
Too Legit To Quit (Your Job, That Is)

How do you know if a job posting is legit? After applying to over 100 jobs, Jien has a few tips to help you decode that job posting. 

Indigenous Day
Event Recap: SFU Indigenous Day

The 2nd Annual SFU Indigenous Day at the SFU Burnaby campus was a huge success! Here is a recap of the event.