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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
Co-op Reflections, Seeking, Personal Development, Professional Development, Workplace Success, International

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.

7 people sitting around a table in a meeting
7 Ways to Have a Successful Meeting With Your Supervisor or Team
Public Speaking, During the Work Term, Workplace Success, Communication, Working Remotely

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.

Taylor
What Worked, What I Could've Done Better and Lessons Learned While Working From Home
Working Remotely, During the Work Term, Professional Development

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.

Taylor
What Worked, What I Could've Done Better and Lessons Learned While Working From Home
Working Remotely, During the Work Term, Professional Development

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.

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
Working, Co-op Reflections, Professional Associations, Professional Development, Workplace Success

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. 

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

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

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

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
During the Work Term, Workplace Success, Communication, Professional Development

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.

A pug swaddled in a fuzzy blanket while placed on bed
Striving Towards My Goals While Struggling With Perfectionism and Burnout
Life Balance

You may be trying to balance your academic life with your hobbies and work. Feeling burned out is normal when trying to balance your life but you might not want to stop working hard because you built up momentum and still want to reach your goals. Christy knows first-hand how hard this can be. Find out how Christy worked through those struggles and prioritized her well-being while pursuing her dreams.

iPad, notebooks, camera, and graph over a neon background
3 Skills You Can Leverage to Land Your Dream Digital Marketing Co-op
Seeking, During the Work Term, Workplace Success, Professional Development, Job Search, Marketing, Social Media

If you’re like me and obsess over Instagram aesthetics, peruse like-minded communities on Twitter, or aspire to be TikTok famous, then you’ve probably considered a digital marketing career at some point and are ready to make your debut in the industry. Here are four Do-It-Yourself skills that will spice up your resume, helping you to leverage your digital marketing talents before your search for your Co-op opportunity!

iPad, notebooks, camera, and graph over a neon background
3 Skills You Can Leverage to Land Your Dream Digital Marketing Co-op
Seeking, During the Work Term, Workplace Success, Professional Development, Job Search, Marketing, Social Media

If you’re like me and obsess over Instagram aesthetics, peruse like-minded communities on Twitter, or aspire to be TikTok famous, then you’ve probably considered a digital marketing career at some point and are ready to make your debut in the industry. Here are four Do-It-Yourself skills that will spice up your resume, helping you to leverage your digital marketing talents before your search for your Co-op opportunity!

person looking through binoculars
5 Tips on Seeking Your Next Co-op
Co-op Reflections, Seeking, Career Exploration, Life Balance

Seeking semesters can be difficult; especially in a pandemic. Samuel, a Business co-op student, experienced this difficulty while searching for their position as a Product Strategy Intern with SAP. Although emotionally turbulent, Samuel was able to persist through their seeking semester and experienced a number of learning opportunities that has shaped their perception on job seeking. Read Samuel's 5 Tips for Seeking Your Next Co-op to learn how to make the best out of your seeking semester. 

multiple students during a class looking at powerpoint slide
Advice for Your First Year as a Teaching Assistant
Graduate Students, Life Experience, Workplace Success, Leadership, Professional Development

Kandice, a Public Health Graduate student, never expected to be a Teaching Assistant (TA). But with the encouragement from family and friends who were former TAs, Kandice took the plunge. Now as her first year comes to a close, Kandice shares some helpful tips on how to have an enjoyable semester as a TA!

Scrabble Tiles spelling out the phrase "origins are usually messy"
Starting Your First Co-op at a Start-up Company
Co-op Reflections, During the Work Term, Personal Development, Professional Development, Workplace Success, Career Exploration

Being part of a start-up company can be scary enough, but doing it as a Co-op student who is brand new to the industry can be absolutely terrifying. This is what I learned about working for a start-up over the last 10 months as a Communication & Multimedia Associate!

Scrabble Tiles spelling out the phrase "origins are usually messy"
Starting Your First Co-op at a Start-up Company
Co-op Reflections, During the Work Term, Personal Development, Professional Development, Workplace Success, Career Exploration

Being part of a start-up company can be scary enough, but doing it as a Co-op student who is brand new to the industry can be absolutely terrifying. This is what I learned about working for a start-up over the last 10 months as a Communication & Multimedia Associate!

A sad woman hiding her face in her hands
How my Co-op Job Stopped me from Apologizing (Especially When I Really Don’t Need to)
During the Work Term, Professional Development, Communication

See how co-op student Marielle Juan learned how to break the cycle of over-apologizing from her first Co-op job experience. 

A sad woman hiding her face in her hands
How my Co-op Job Stopped me from Apologizing (Especially When I Really Don’t Need to)
During the Work Term, Professional Development, Communication

See how co-op student Marielle Juan learned how to break the cycle of over-apologizing from her first Co-op job experience. 

A road sign that says Slow Down
4 Tips for Making the Most of a Slow Day at Work
Co-op Reflections, Professional Development, Workplace Success

Every job has its slow days every once in a while. Sometimes, all that free time can make you feel bored and unproductive. Ray shares 4 things he's done in the past during his Co-op work term to most of a slow day at work.

person typing on a laptop
7 Tips for Remote Facilitation Amidst a Global Pandemic
Co-op Reflections, Community Engagement, Leadership, During the Work Term, Working Remotely, Professional Development, Workplace Success, Equity, Diversity + Inclusion

Congratulations! You’ve landed your first Co-op work term. But wait! There’s a catch (or two): you’re in the middle of a global pandemic, and you’re expected to lead a team in this new and not-so-improved virtual setting. Read Bita’s tips to feel more confident while conquering your very first Co-op in a position of leadership, all the while working remotely. 

A sign is displayed in front of Health Canada headquarters in Ottawa
Landing an Interview with Health Canada within 24 Hours
Co-op Reflections, Interviews, Professional Development, Workplace Success, Seeking

Are you currently in the process of securing a job interview? Melanie will take you on her journey and the series of events she took to not only reach out to her hiring manager, but also land an interview within the span of 24 hours. 

Sunset over water and islands
How to Kick the Procrastination Monkey and Take the Wheel
Co-op Reflections, Life Balance, Professional Development, Workplace Success

Staying focused and getting things done can be something we all struggle with, especially when both work and play are online. What, then, is the "procrastination monkey", and how can you overcome the distraction it brings? Clarissa explains how to kick the monkey to the curb, and take control of your time and work. 

diagrams of a website layout
The Job-Hunting Journey: Portfolios and Soft Skills
Co-op Reflections, Seeking, Professional Development, Career Exploration, Workplace Success

Are you a SIAT Co-op student in the seeking process? Read Michelle's article on the job-hunting journey, and how with a strong portfolio and exemplary soft skills, you can excel in your interviews!

Illustration of businesspeople
Advice for Upcoming SFU Entrepreneurs
Co-op Reflections, Tech and Innovation

Interested in starting a business but don’t know where to start? David explains in Part Two of his blog series what worked for him during his time establishing a start-up business. Read on to learn what tips he shares about the process of beginning your entrepreneurial journey.

Illustration of businesspeople
Advice for Upcoming SFU Entrepreneurs
Co-op Reflections, Tech and Innovation

Interested in starting a business but don’t know where to start? David explains in Part Two of his blog series what worked for him during his time establishing a start-up business. Read on to learn what tips he shares about the process of beginning your entrepreneurial journey.

Illustration of businesspeople
Advice for Upcoming SFU Entrepreneurs
Co-op Reflections, Tech and Innovation

Interested in starting a business but don’t know where to start? David explains in Part Two of his blog series what worked for him during his time establishing a start-up business. Read on to learn what tips he shares about the process of beginning your entrepreneurial journey.

Illustration of businesspeople
Advice for Upcoming SFU Entrepreneurs
Co-op Reflections, Tech and Innovation

Interested in starting a business but don’t know where to start? David explains in Part Two of his blog series what worked for him during his time establishing a start-up business. Read on to learn what tips he shares about the process of beginning your entrepreneurial journey.

graphic of different job positions at work
Things That Went Wrong for Us
Co-op Reflections, Professional Development, Career Exploration, Workplace Success, Startup, Student Success

Sometimes, things don't go as well as expected when launching a start-up business. David explains in Part Three of his blog series just what went wrong and what fellow peers should look out for if you're also interested in developing a business.

graphic of different job positions at work
Things That Went Wrong for Us
Co-op Reflections, Professional Development, Career Exploration, Workplace Success, Startup, Student Success

Sometimes, things don't go as well as expected when launching a start-up business. David explains in Part Three of his blog series just what went wrong and what fellow peers should look out for if you're also interested in developing a business.

graphic of different job positions at work
Things That Went Wrong for Us
Co-op Reflections, Professional Development, Career Exploration, Workplace Success, Startup, Student Success

Sometimes, things don't go as well as expected when launching a start-up business. David explains in Part Three of his blog series just what went wrong and what fellow peers should look out for if you're also interested in developing a business.

graphic of different job positions at work
Things That Went Wrong for Us
Co-op Reflections, Professional Development, Career Exploration, Workplace Success, Startup, Student Success

Sometimes, things don't go as well as expected when launching a start-up business. David explains in Part Three of his blog series just what went wrong and what fellow peers should look out for if you're also interested in developing a business.