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Communication

Communication

The bridge connecting you to success.

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Welcome

Welcome to Communication, one of the most integral professional skills anyone can further develop. Because communication is one of the top skills an employer is looking for, the following stories show how you can strengthen your communication skills, confidently convey your thoughts, and excel in any professional, academic, or personal setting. As you scroll through, you will be able to see how communication comes in a variety of forms such as interpersonal, non-verbal and intercultural, but is also the foundation of other important situations such as networking, public speaking and marketing.

An image of author doing a mic check for an interview with Stemcell Technology
Take a Chance: The Co-op Edition

In my first semester, I had no idea what type of co-op position I was looking for. This was somewhat stressful, but what helped was keeping an open mind to a range of positions, and taking a chance!

Hand holding a cup of latte while pouring cream in to create a leaf like design
The Importance Of Coffee Breaks: Friends, Coffee, Fun. All While Working In An Enterprise.

Coffee breaks provide an opportunity to take your eye away from the screen, gather your thoughts, and the chance to network with colleagues. For a project to be successful, it is vital to be able to work well with others while managing your own workload. Terry explains how coffee breaks can help you build relationships and bonds with colleagues!

 

Canadian flag waving in the wind
Adventurous Vibes: Your Guide To An Incredible Study Experience in Canada

Are you thinking of studying in Canada? Are you about to arrive or have recently landed? Make the most of your experience with these tips for studying abroad.

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. 

a couple of students standing in front government banners smilling
Building Relationships: 5 Tips for Networking Within the Federal Government

Interested in a career with the federal government? Kate McMurchy shares tips on building new connections and making the most of your co-op. 

Shina Kaur
What Does It Mean to Be a Engagement Program Assistant?

What does an Engagement Program Assistant do? In this blogpost, Shina shares with us what it means to empower the students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the importance of communication! 

Maggie Benston Centre
How I Faced and Overcame My Fears

Relax! Yes, you may have made a mistake, but it is how you handle the consequences that count. Carina talks about how she made mistakes, faced her fears and learned from them.

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.

Mengxi and her friends
Understanding Each Other is the Fundamental Approach to Making Friends

SFU is a multicultural university, and there are a lot of students here with a variety of cultural backgrounds. Learning something new from others can help us get to know the world, broaden our horizons, and breakdown damaging stereotypes.

No more Stolen Sisters logo
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirited: What You Should Know

The Q&A you never knew you needed… but you do. Answering commonly asked questions around the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.  Here is one perspective using Indigenous pedagogy. 

Student hiding behind a pile of books
The Student Life Balancing Act

Finding balance in university is surely one of the greatest challenges a student faces. Shanice believes that communication is key to maintaining stress levels and living a balanced life.

stack of books: "What is Sexual Violence?"
Understanding Sexual Violence: A Graduate Student's Perspective

Why is understanding sexual violence important as a graduate student? SFU PhD candidate, Aynsley Pescitelli, discusses some of the unique factors that create barriers to disclosure for graduate students. 

pond with blooming lotus
From Small Pond to Big Pond

Each semester, thousands of students transfer to SFU from colleges and universities across the Lower Mainland. Communication student Alex Caw reflects on his experience learning to navigate bigger classes and a bigger campus, as well as his advice for prospective students thinking of making the leap.  

Fort Langley Landscape
A Survival Guide to Living in the 1800s

Surviving in a trading fort in the wild west now known as British Columbia was tough in the 1800s. A time when 9 out of 10 of your meals would have been salmon and potatoes and grocery shopping would mean bringing a musket into the woods. Alexis, shares what she learned about surviving the 1800s. 

Listening graphic
Disclosing Disability

Living with a mental illness or any invisible disability comes with many challenges. One of the most prominent is whether or not one should disclose their status to others. In this article, Jien discusses her experience disclosing her disability with her employer for the first time. 

A photo of the author
Discover Your Leadership Potential in Passport to Leadership

Looking for an opportunity to boost your personal development at SFU? Look no further - Passport to Leadership will help you maximize your leadership potential, and is available to all SFU students! Read Zahraa's story for more insight.

A photo of Lindsey Wu
Don’t Worry About Being a Small Potato

When you’re starting off in a new workplace, it can be daunting talking to people who carry the title of CEO, director, and everything in between. While you may feel like a small potato compared to the big spud, it’s important to remember that everyone has to start somewhere. Lindsay shares her story on why your future self will thank you for building your connections early on through Co-op.

Nathan Boey
How Asking Good Questions Can Advance Your Career

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.

Mila Luong and elementary school students on Halloween
Let Me TaLK to You: Self-Discovery & Cultural Adaptation

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

Image of the Author
Choosing Whether to Extend Your Co-op Placement? 6 Tips to Help You Make the Decision

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.

Someone walking along a railway track towards the horizon
Overcoming Cultural Pressures in University: A Personal Journey

Read Henna's story on how she overcame career pressure and her journey of career and interest exploration!