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Community

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Community showcases riveting stories of adversity, culture and creating change. These stories are from SFU community members which include volunteers, Graduate students, Alumni, Indigenous students, and many more to show you the power of giving back to our community.

A picture of actor Justin Rain standing in front of a grey wall
We’re All Actors: CSI Interviews First Nations Actor Justin Rain

“Whenever there is an opportunity to share my experience with people, it usually doesn’t take much for me to jump on board,” states Justin Rain when I ask him about his experiences at a recent event co-hosted by Career Services and the Indigenous Student Centre, “Indigenous Peoples’ Career Stories.”

A photo of a road
Interview with Naomi Devine’s Ride2Rio

Have you ever traveled 11 200 km? Perhaps you have. But, have you ever traveled 11 200 km… on a bike? That is what local woman, Naomi Devine, has been training towards since the idea first came to her last December.

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Why Working for an Ethical Company Matters

When searching for jobs, things such as the salary and job description are certainly important factors in influencing your decision in applying. However, corporate citizenship can affect your career and job security. Read on to find out more about why ethics matter.

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Reilika Reminisces

Reilika, the third member of Career Friends, graduated with an Economics and Business degree in Europe. Coming to Canada was a difficult transition; but the Career Friends helped her be focused, develop new skills, and provide a network of support. Read Reilika's story to learn more. 

Isabel with many people in front of a building
Isabel's Bolivia Adventure: An Irreplaceable International Experience | Part One

Since its launch in 2005, the Students for Development (SFD) program has been supporting Canadian university students' participation in internships in developing countries and emerging economies. Isabel went on the SFD program in Summer 2011 where she worked with ICO (Instituto de Capacitacion del Oriente) in Bolivia.

Deborah
Making a Difference in Bolivia: Deborah's International Experience

Since its launch in 2005, the Students for Development (SFD) program has been supporting Canadian university students' participation in internships in developing countries and emerging economies. Melanie Woo spoke to Deborah about her SFD experience.

people holding a bc lions flag running across the field
Life After Co-op: From Footballs to Law

As an SFU Co-op alumni Susan Seto is one of the many success stories of the the program. Since graduating in 2008 her co-op experience has shaped her career and changed her life.

Canucks team photo
Giving Back

The Vancouver Canucks are well known for their community involvement, and every semester they hire two interns to work with the community relations team. Michelle Muravi was one of these lucky picks last season and she shared with us what it’s like to work behind the scenes in the latest instalment of the We Are All Canucks series.

Guy wearing his graduation gown, standing at the edge of a cliff overlooking the city
Justin's Journey

After Justin and Samantha decided to create Career Friends, the rest was history. They have kept each other on track while job-hunting post graduation. Read Justin's story about his experiences after graduating in 2002, and how he overcame the challenges of finding full-time employment.

Picture of Adam Kingsmith, an SFU student interviewed by the author about his internship in El Salvador.
Make a Difference with AIESEC!

Everyday, the media informs us of new global issues arising in different parts of the world. We think about how troubling the situation is for a little while and then go on with the rest of our day. In most cases, this is where the story ends.

Image of students in South Africa
Outreach in Enkanini

Earlier this year, five SFU students traveled to Cape Town, South Africa with the Light and Love Home organization to support humanitarian projects in the township of Enkanini. They recently spoke to the OLC to share their story with us.

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Me, Myself, and University

Ever wonder how it would feel like being an international student in Vancouver? Talk about a reason to party, well coming from a Punjabi family we hardly need a reason to party but if there was ever a decent one, this was it. Read more to find out about Max Shyngs experience!

The photo shows a headshot of Swarna, who is looking towards her left side. She is smiling.
Student Volunteer Profile: Swarna Debba

This time I’d like to highlight Swarna’s personal experience in volunteering. It’s apparent from the previous article how passionate Swarna is in helping others. In addition to working for UGM, Swarna also volunteers for the organization.For instance, she has volunteered for the UGM drop-in centre in New Westminster, BC. Swarna explains that the New Westminster Drop-in centre has a different demographic of people compared to the downtown east side location.

The photo shows a yin and yang symbol.
Take a Holistic Approach to Your Education

I am sure you have heard of the concept of taking a holistic approach to health.  I first learned about this concept when I took an elective course in Kinesiology at SFU during my undergraduate degree. A holistic approach to health examines the physical, social, emotional and mental needs of a person to determine one’s overall wellness.

Two women are talking to each other while each holding a book. They are smiling at each other.
Why Be a Career Peer Educator?

Do you want to hear directly from Career Peers about their thoughts on volunteering as a Career Peer? This article showcases reflections from Career Peers on their experience. 

view of capetown, south africa
Home Sweet Home

As Kayla returns home from Botswana, there is much to reflect upon the differences between cultures and the way of living. Read what Kalya has to say and how International Co-op has brought her to an epiphany.

A person holding a Olympic torch
Peeriodical: Olympic Sized Persistence Pays Off

If there’s someone who knows about the terrifying journey that is the work search, it is Marissa Nahanee. She was a panellist at the Indigenous Peoples Career Stories event on March 3, 2011.  Marissa has worked on many world class events, including the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Torch relay and visits by Princes Charles and Edward. But Marissa’s job did not just happen to her – she had to work for it.

aerial view of south african landscapes
Exploring South Africa

SFU Kinesiology student Kayla Donnawell is in Botswana, Africa volunteering with the Students Without Borders program (SWB).  In this final article, the winds guide Kayla to South Africa where she explores Capetown and Durban before heading home.

The olympic torch
Olympic Sized Persistence Pays Off

If there’s someone who knows about the terrifying journey that is the work search, it is Marissa Nahanee. She worked on many world class events, including the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Torch relay and visits by Princes Charles and Edward. But Marissa’s job did not just happen to her - she had to work for it.

aerial view of Swakopmund, Namibia
Exploring Namibia

SFU Kinesiology student Kayla Donnawell is in Botswana, Africa volunteering with the Students Without Borders program (SWB).  In this article, the eighth in the series, Kayla explores Namibia and gets stuck several times in the sand dunes.

San people smiling and laughing
The Gods Must be Crazy

SFU Kinesiology student Kayla Donnawell is in Botswana, Africa volunteering with the Students Without Borders program (SWB).  In this article, the seventh in the series, Kayla shares her weekend travels around Botswana.

aerial view of Garborone, the city Kayla stayed in
Reality of HIV/AIDS in Botswana

SFU Kinesiology student Kayla Donnawell is in Botswana, Africa volunteering with the Students Without Borders program (SWB).  In this article, the sixth in the series, Kayla discusses the reality of HIV/AIDS in Botswana.

aerial photo of the Okavango River in Botswana
Kayla, I Swam the Delta

SFU Kinesiology student Kayla Donnawell is in Botswana, Africa volunteering with the Students Without Borders program (SWB). In this article, the fifth in the series, Kayla swims the Delta, meets elephants and chased by a hippo.

Cement pathway in Gaborone, Botswana
Challenges of the Pace of Life

SFU Kinesiology student Kayla Donnawell is in Botswana, Africa volunteering with the Students Without Borders program (SWB). In this article, the fourth in the series, Kayla shares some of the challenges of the pace of life in Botswana.

Graduates throwing their graduation caps up in the air
Career Friends

Career Friends is a group of four Alumni who were having troubles staying on track in their job-hunting journey's post-graduation. Career Friends held regular meetings for accountability, and to confront and change bad habits. Read Samantha's story of why she decided to create Career Friends, and how it helped her job prospects.

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Prince George or Bust

Marilyn Brennan shares her experiences and adventures while working on a Co-op term for Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Research Department (TARR) at Fort St. John. In Part 4 - Marilyn reflects on her many unique cross-Canada travelling experiences during her Co-op work term.

Kid posing with a fake bear head
Work Excitement

Marilyn Brennan shares her experiences and adventures while working on a Co-op term for Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Research Department (TARR) at Fort St. John. In Part 3 - Work Excitement, Marilyn plans the Aboriginal Day Celebrations and gets firsthand experience dealing with government policy.

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Adventures

Marilyn Brennan shares her experiences and adventures while working on a Co-op term for Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Research Department (TARR) at Fort St. John. In Part 2 - Adventures, Marilyn shares with us her first work-related road trip to Doig River First Nation.

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A Beginning

Marilyn Brennan shares her experiences and adventures while working on a Co-op term for Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Research Department (TARR) at Fort St. John. In Part 1 - A Beginning, Marilyn reflects the challenges arriving in a new city to begin her Co-op term.