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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.

out of focus image of a binder and man in the background with the tagline: .... first week on the job?
What To Do: Your First Week On the Job

You’ve applied for the job, gone through the interview, been selected, and now you’re ready to begin your first week on the job! But are you? Read John's tips on how to prepare for your first weeks on the job!

People shaking hands
Top Ten: Best Ways to Make a GREAT Impression

The Co-op advisors at SFU are in the unique position of hearing from both employers and students about what makes a successful work term. Paulette Johnston has a list of ten simple ways to get off on the right foot.

a candidate smiling at her interviewer
Behavioural Interviews

This series will help you prepare for almost any type of interview format that you might come across. In this edition learn about one of the most popular interview types you'll come across: Behavioural interviews.

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Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre

The Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, a non for profit charitable organization, has been meeting the needs of aboriginal people making a transition to the urban Vancouver community since its doors opened in 1963. Read about one 17 year-olds summer experience.

WAVS, I am strong I am kind banner
Warriors Against Violence Society Program

We believe there is a need to restore the traditional Aboriginal values of honour, respect and equality. The Circle of Life includes elders, lifegivers, men, and youth. All have a right to live in non-violent families and communities.

Diary of a Marketing Co-op: How to be Assertive
How to be Assertive

This entry of Diary of a Marketing Co-op asks how you can balance a level of assertiveness necessary to get your job done, without steamrolling everyone around you.

Lady on a phone call
Phone Interviews

Do telephone interviews intimidate you? Increasingly, more and more companies are using phone  interviews to weed out potential employees and decide who will move on to the next round. If you're scared of phone interviews, read on for some tips!

Protect our ancestors sign
Musqueam Marks 100 Days with March to Protest Burials Under Threat

Open letter to my friends, relatives, colleagues and supporters of  c̓əsnaʔəm. Calling to Action.

Jerkone's online portfolio
5 Tips for Online Portfolios: Employer’s Perspective

Portfolio tips straight from the employers, they share with us what they look for in online portfolios and how they decide who they’re bringing in for interviews. 

conference table with empty chairs
Co-op Employer Identifies Interviewing Weaknesses

You've always heard about how to prepare for interviews from your peers and your coordinators, but what about from an employer? Kim Steinbart of the BC Forest Service discusses common interview mistakes and provides tips on how to put your best foot forward.

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Beat Nation: Hip Hop as Indigenous Culture

Beat Nation: Hip Hop as Indigenous Culture is a website that focuses on the development of hip hop culture within Aboriginal youth communities and its influence on cultural production.

Picture of Jessica reading
SFU Opens Up New World for Jessica Humchitt

The Aboriginal Pre-Health Program is a bridging program designed for Aboriginal high school graduates and mature students. The program helps students explore health career options and get the academic prerequisites they need to pursue post-secondary health or health science programs such as nursing, midwifery, or public health. 

two women talking and smiling
How Do Career Professionals Help?

Dave knows full well the value of talking to a career professional (if he didn't he'd be in trouble). It's knowledge that he takes for granted, and every now and then he's made aware of the fact that the knowledge he knows, isn't common knowledge - in fact, most people probably have no idea what they can get from working with a career professional! Read Dave's advice on talking with a career professional, and how it will boast your professional developpment. 

Giving Back with Telus
Giving Back with Telus

Choosing a company to devote your career to at any stage can be a tough choice. The values of a company matter, so look into what your new workplace values before devoting your time to it.

Two girls holding custom-made SFU book bag and pencil case
Health Sciences Engagement Improves Lives

After their four incredible months in India, the girls are finally back. This Co-Op inspired them so much so that they have decided to take the initiative to start their own fun-raiser for Destiny Reflection. Read on to find out what they have been doing since they got back and how the experience has changed them. 

Improv Tips from Tina Fey
Improv Tips from Tina Fey

Our marketing co-op student takes a break from discussing the details of her work term to share some advice from Tina Fey on improv and your own co-op semester.

a laptop screen showing reports
Evaluation and Work Report

The following article is the final in a three-part series on how Co-op supervisors can make the most of a Co-op experience with their student. The final installment focuses on wrapping up a co-op term and writing evaluations.

Cecilia smiles next to a graphic that reads, "Career Peer Spotlight: Cecilia Embuido".
Being a Career Peer: A Well-Made Decision

In this informative article, Cecilia shares the valuable benefits of being a Career Peer.

Changing Circumstances
Changing Circumstances

This edition of my marketing blog strays from my time at TELUS to look back to grade school, where I learned an important lesson about not giving up on myself.

An array of fruits laid out on the ground while a man on the side bends down to pick an apple up
Our Neighbourhood: Gariahat, Kolkata

Martyna provides a quick tour of the neighbourhood where the SFU Health Sciences Co-op Team is living in. From fresh fruit stalls to unusual afternoon traffic, take a look at what the girls have been up to in India. 

a man wearing a suit is on his laptop in a quiet setting
The Screening Interview

The screening interview is used by many large companies as a first, usually informal round of interviews. They are often conducted by HR reps before you can even meet anyone you'll be working with, but you need to perform well to get a foot in the door.

a group meeting
Group Interviews

Group interviews aren't as common as some of the other formats we've explored in this series, but they can often be used as part of a screening process, so it's always good to be prepared for them.

3 women sitting down and discussing ideas in a business setting
Panel Interviews

As a part of our continued series, we look at the panel interview. This can be intimidating as it puts the interviewee up against an entire group of experienced professionals, so confidence is key to its success.

animated hands in front of a laptop screen
Giving Feedback and Increasing Responsibilities

The following article is the second in a three-part series on how Co-op supervisors can make the most of a Co-op experience with their student. Read this blog to learn how to provide constructive feedback, and when the best time is to add additional responsibilities. 

two women writing on the white board
Performance Interviews

In this edition of Interview Types, Elizabeth discusses Performance Interviews. It can be intimidating to showcase your skills on the spot, which is why in this blog, Elizabeth looks at the good, the bad and the helpful, as well as potential questions you may face. 

a group of people sitting around in a circle talking
Introductions, Rules and Learning Objectives

The following article is the first in a three-part series on how Co-op supervisors can make the most of a Co-op experience with their student. Part one focuses on introductions and expectations, and how to build your students learning objectives.

a handshake exchanged between interviewers and the interviewee
Master Your Career with Your Handshake

Are you a bone crusher or a limp hand-shaker? You may ask, “Does a handshake really matter?” Well, apparently, a simple handshake can say a lot about you in the work and social settings. Read on to find out what kind of handshake you have and how to improve your handshaking skills…

a guy running late carrying a suitcase
Why is Everything Late?!?

In the next entry from our marketing co-op she contimplates her love of deadlines and fast paced changes, then how it all went out the window. Join her as she re examines the fluid nature of deadlines.

a man working on his ipad
Branding Yourself

You have the skills, the experience, and you know you can ace that interview. Now how do you get noticed so that you will be invited to an interview?

Four students chatting with each other while sitting down.
Networking Anxiety? Just Do It!

I wouldn’t classify myself as one of those people who can walk into a room and meet people easily. Though I’ve been making an effort to push the boundaries of my comfort zone, I’ve always been an introvert by nature. Unfortunately, as a business student, networking seems like an important skill to learn.