Blogs

On my first day of work, I woke up too early, rehearsed too much, and imagined too many scenarios which didn’t end up happening. I thought, “What if the students don’t listen to me? What if they don’t like my lesson? What if they don’t like ME!?” Looking back at my experience teaching English in South Korea, it’s funny to think that I began my new life plagued with all of these worries. 

As a co-op student with little experience, it sometimes seems like all you are doing is asking questions. That is why it is important to make sure you are asking good questions. What are good questions? They are evidence of your thought process, ability to think outside of the box, and knack for problem solving. Read this article to learn more about what makes a question good, and how to make questions your competitive advantage.

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.

Interested in a career with a company who values your identity and culture?  A company who’s committed to a diverse workforce, while offering unique opportunities and professional growth.  A company who supports and encourages employees from a shared background and culture to help drive understanding, empathy and change.  If so, ICBC may be right for you.

Interested in a career with a company who values your identity and culture?  A company who’s committed to a diverse workforce, while offering unique opportunities and professional growth.  A company who supports and encourages employees from a shared background and culture to help drive understanding, empathy and change.  If so, ICBC may be right for you.

It is not hard to produce a perfect car. The difficulty lies in manufacturing 100,000 cars exactly alike. Read about the challenge of manufacturing modern luxury vehicles at Tesla Inc. 

Do you want to challenge yourself? If so, TaLK may be the right opportunity for you. Read about Mila's story on how the TaLk program transformed her perspective

Working in an office doesn't necessarily mean that your fashion choices will be narrowed down to a monocromatic palette and clothes that make you seem significantly older than you actually are. Be creative with patterns, try a new hair style, maybe even bring back a vintage look. Harlene has you covered for all your workplace fashion needs with her quick guide on how to look great while still looking professional in the workplace.

If I won’t be doing software engineering what will I be doing? A co-op term spent migrating a decade’s worth of data.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work for a provincial or regional health authority? I turned my curiosity into two 8-month co-op terms with Provincial Health Services Authority, and Fraser Health Authority. This is my co-op story.

Are you in the process of applying to a federal government co-op position but are unsure of what to expect or whether you’re on the right track? Check out these tips that Christie, a fourth year Criminology co-op student, has to offer after dedicating four of her work terms to various agencies within the federal public sector.

Job interviews can be nerve-racking but with planning and preparation anyone can master the basic steps for interview success. Here are five tips to help you get ready. 

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Well, that may not be an easy question to answer. From an early age, Lisa had always envisioned becoming a doctor, but that quickly shifted after staring her first year at SFU. If there’s one piece of advice she could give you, it’s that University is not the fabled be-all and end-all of your career path.

When you think of an “interview”, do you normally think of a one on one interview? That’s what I used to think of.  However, as a co-op student you might experience panel interviews.  Read on to find out what you should know before a panel interview.

Emily recounts her co-op term working with the Feds at Service Canada.

Working in many different Co-op positions can be analogous with sampling everything at an all you can eat buffet. You see some things that really catch your eye, and some things you know you absolutely won’t like. But the fact of the matter is, you probably won’t know exactly what every single dish will taste like until you opt in to trying it. With Co-op, it’s much the same – you probably have an idea of what you want to do, but trying something entirely new might surprise you and pique your interest for future career options.

How do you begin writing your first co-op resume when you have no work experience? First, know that with a little creativity you can create a competitive first draft. Learn how with these tips.

Some people dream of having a career in the public service but what is it like to be the person making those dreams come true? Go behind the scenes with Rebecca and read about her experience working as a Staffing Assistant at the Canada Revenue Agency!

Are you on the fence about studying abroad? Fourth year business student, Vivyn Zhou shares how an international exchange in South Korea impacted her, and why you should consider applying too.

Design – a word that has likely resonated with Communication Co-op students at some point. As the field of communication evolves, so do the skills that employers are looking for. Graphic design is becoming increasingly sought after, but where do you begin if you don’t have any prior knowledge? Ryan has you covered with his tips on how to go from design zero to design hero in your next job search! 

Why should you bother spending 2 hours to make a LinkedIn profile? In this blog, Joanne talks about about her experience using LinkedIn and LinkedIn Learning to build her online presence. Li

So you’ve just landed your Co-op position at SFU. You’re excited, and eager to get going – but somewhere along the way, you might notice that working at your home school and studying there can be an entirely different experience. Sally Arang shares her tips on how to make the transition from a student to an employee of SFU as seamlessly as possible. 

Like many others, as a senior student, Joyce was still unsure of what direction she would take towards her future career. Teaching, lab work, and academia were all possibilities. How does one decide? Read Joyce's article on why she chose to live and teach in Korea!

For many, trying to find the fine balance between work, school, and life can be an everyday challenge. Try taking on three jobs at once! Juvina Silvestre shares her tips on how to stay organized (and sane) while juggling around all your responsibilities.

During their second co-op work term, Emily learned many ways to take on a larger workload and add new skills to their resume. Here are five tips to take initiative in the work place in order to better both your own and your employers' experience. Taking on new and different tasks at work can improve your team productivity, increase what you take away from the term, impress your supervisor, and make your days go by more quickly. 

As someone who has always been passionately engaged with both political and social issues, a job with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada checked two very important boxes. Little did I know, it would teach me much more than I could have ever expected. 

Being an international student at SFU is not easy as there aren't many opportunities to meet other students. The Global Student Centre welcomes all, hosting events that bring students together to celebrate diversity and create intercultural awareness. 

A long bus or plane ride is associated with awkward social situations, a lack of food options, the weird tiny bathroom in the back, and of course, trying not to become mind-numbingly bored.  I’ve investigated past personal experiences to build a survival guide to avoid the long-distance travel blues.

A couple months into your Co-op placement and your manager comes up to you and asks you to stay and work with them for another semester? What do you do? If you’re having a hard time deciding, Michelle Raine is here to offer her six tips in helping you decide whether or not to take that extension.

Ever wondered what it would be like working for one of the big four accounting firms? Cameron shares his insight into working for PwC and their Audit and Assurance division, including key responsibilities and advice to help you succeed!