Blogs

Working at a big insurance firm for your first co-op might be intimidating, and SFU Beedie student Yelena shares her experience acclimating to her job during the first few weeks. 

Learning and growing on a co-op term is expected to happen. Read about Tanishvir's first co-op term as a Staff Accountant and how his co-op term is changing his future. 

SFU Co-op student Jordan talks about his time working for Work-Integrated Learning while balancing other commitments. 

This week’s SFU Surrey Co-op features Nick Spanos, an Interactive Arts and Technology student who has a background in design and project management. Nick had the opportunity to work as a Producer Intern in XR Immersive Tech for his 8 month co-op placement.

Welcome to your first Co-op job! You showed your stuff at your interview and wowed your future employers with your knowledge and experience. You come into your first day and that’s when you realize: you don’t know anyone at all, and everyone looks more knowledgeable and more mature than you. Keep reading to see a few tips that Claire has for you to battle your imposter syndrome and win!

Video editing can be hard. And while this video won’t turn you into an editing master, it can hopefully provide you with some information to make the job easier. Being a third-year Communication student with a passion for creating, Brianna Tsang shares 5 tips and tricks that she has learned throughout her 8-month Co-op placement with FCAT (Faculty of Communication Arts and Technology) as a Digital Communications Specialist.

At dire times like this, it is about time we acknowledge the fact that many people experience issues with their mental well-being, but we should not be demoralized as there are also ways to combat them!

In this Q&A, undergraduate student Kayli Jamieson talks about her experience as an Honours Communications student and her current role as a research assistant focusing on disinformation. 

There's always a chance to be lonely at university, especially if you're just starting out. Read this piece written by the Health Peers about how to embrace it and reach out. 

Are you a SIAT Student? Interested in doing your Co-op at SFU? Hear from one of our senior SIAT students - Isabelle Louie, on her contribution to SFU Surrey Campus Administration.

Landing your first work term can be a lengthy and challenging task, but the work doesn’t stop when your get that offer letter. Navigating your first day, and even first term can be tricky. Continue reading to see four tips that helped me make the most of my first work term and helped me turn my 4-month placement into an 8-month one so hopefully, you can too.

SFU Communication student Clayton Wong reflects on his co-op journey and how his co-ops at Tesla, Snapchat, and YVR Airport shaped his career path. 

Everyone's fitness journey is different! Read about SFU Recreation's Audrey Heath journey with fitness! 

It’s easy to feel burnt out and demoralized when looking around at your peers and contemporaries, but following your path comes with success that feels uniquely yours.

The last couple of semesters of university can feel like forever, especially when you’re losing motivation to continue the journey. Here are some of my tips on how to stay focused and inspired before graduation. 

Today we’re talking to Rifayat Raisa, who graduated in April 2021 from the MA Economics program. During her time at SFU she was able to complete a co-op with Policy Reporter as a Research and Reporting Assistant. With this role she was able to break into the health economics industry and is still with the company today. Continue reading to have a look into her experience with co-op and what she’s learned along the way.

Finding community in your workplace is just one way to enrich your overall working and learning experience. Creating relationships with colleagues, and friendships in the community not only benefits your work life but can reflect a positive personal life as well. Whether this looks like sharing inside jokes with a co-worker, a meaningful conversation with a peer, or a meal with community, these are just some ways to grow your social circle.

The software industry can be intimidating for your first co-op but it can also be a great way to gain a wide skill set that can be applied throughout many industries.

Today we’re talking with Masood Abdinejad, a master of economics student in his second year, who’s currently doing a co-op work term at Natural Resources Canada. Learn about his co-op experience as an international student working in a federal government role.

The OLC loves its co-op students! Nazanin, our Tech Co-op student, reflects on her time here and what her strategies for success were. 

Working from home the last few years has had a steep learning curve. Read on to see how Victoria, a Master's student at SFU, spent her online co-op term and the pros and cons of remote work. 

After entering the workforce eight years ago, how did I just find out that non-for-profits provide the best learning opportunities for students and professionals looking to diversify their skills? Overtime, I have worked for family businesses, not-for-profits, and corporations, but I always found myself growing and learning more while working for a not-for-profit. 

Must shoot your own headshot? Don’t fret! These tips from a professional photographer will make finding a location, picking good lighting, and shooting a photo a breeze.

The day before an interview tends to be the most anxiety-inducing, especially as a Co-op student. Maybe it’s because you really want that specific position, have little professional experience or generally have social anxiety in new and uncomfortable situations. With a little reflection on my interview process, I came up with three tips to hopefully calm your nerves before, during and after your next interview.

Whether you’re like me and have been doing Co-op for a while now, or just have had your fair share of job interviews, then you probably think you know everything there is to be prepared for one. However, I will tell you right now that, unless you have actually conducted a job interview, you most likely do not. Continue reading for some insider tips on Co-op interviews that I feel everyone should know.

Sharing tips for good mental health practices is essential for building both a helpful community and a better future for yourself. Read SFU Health and Counselling's tips for being more present in the moment. 

Want a little more out of your university experience? Here’s why studying at the library is the best way to make the most out of your time at SFU academically and socially.

Running is a drag. Here’s some ways to keep yourself motivated and healhy as you continue on your New Year’s resolutions. 

Your path to discovering your career won’t look like someone else’s. This is an important lesson that I've learned during my Co-op journey that has motivated me to explore all the possibilities of what a future career could entail. Keep reading to learn about how I've continued my Co-op journey and more about how I've continued to learn about myself during this experience. 

So you or someone you've been in contact with has been exposed to COVID. Here are a couple of ways to pass the five-day quarantine and not go out of your mind during it.