Co-operative Education

If my present self time-travelled back to January 2023 and told my past self from January that I would be in Nepal, I would think my present self from August has finally gone off the deep end. However, here I am, writing this from Kathmandu, and my experience in this country feels like a separate life.

Like many Communications students, I came into the School of Communication very interested in media; both studying it and working in it. I found it harder and harder to pinpoint where I could fit into it professionally as I learned more about it. What do you do when you’re interested in media, but not sure you want to work directly in media?

In marketing, an 8-month term with one company is way more valuable than two 4-month terms with different companies as it’s only after working for 5-6 months that you are able to truly understand how the decision making process works and be independent.

I began working as a part-time Co-op student during the last semester, while also pursuing full-time studies? Yes, you heard that right, part-time Co-op and full-time studies. Was it a challenge for me? Absolutely. Did I feel stressed out? Definitely. Did I manage to succeed by the end of the term? Surprisingly, I did, and it turned out to be my most successful term at SFU, to be honest.

My university years and degree are not just about completing courses and receiving credits. I realized it is about building my unique skill set. 

Yes, you read the right, I did seven Co-op terms while completing my Communication degree. I’m a firm believer of trying as much as I can during my undergrad, and I did exactly that. Starting off with working at a non-profit in events and social media, I then transitioned to a university in Kenya doing content development and research, a corporate position in Calgary, multiple roles at a digital marketing agency, working at a bank, and now closing my Co-op journey in the public sector. Being extremely fortunate to be able to try many Co-op positions, I’d like to share what I’ve learned from 28 months of working in communications.

Networking can seem like a daunting task, especially for introverts who prefer quiet and solitude to socializing in large, noisy gatherings. Good news is that there are effective ways for introverts to build meaningful connections without straying too far from their comfort zones.

A few days before the Christmas break of 2021, I received an email that would jumpstart my Co-op journey leading me into new experiences, connections, and so much more! I'm not sure if many people would be able to say this, but wow, am I ever happy that I checked my email that day.

Bzzt! You're staring down at the offer letter you've received from your dream company. Usually, this is where the chapter ends or the curtains fall on a very happy ending. No one prepares you for what comes next and if you're anything like me (an international student), you're even further removed from any immediate sage advice from your loved ones. Worry not! As someone who steered her own ship amidst stormy seas, I'm here to offer some do’s and don'ts that might just save you.

Chris works as a UX Researcher and Designer for LandSure Systems, a subsidiary of the Land Title Survey Authority (LTSA) that provides products and services related to land-related processes in BC.

When promoting events and news on social media on behalf of a club, service, or business, the main goal is to get as many eyes as possible on the content. One of my tasks in my 8-month Co-op position was to post updates on their social media accounts, which includes job postings, upcoming events, and special announcements. Over these months, I was able to find useful strategies and tools to help me manage these profiles effectively and efficiently.

As the Vice-President External and Community Affairs of the @sfss_sfu, @eshanabaran had the opportunity to connect with community by building relationships with grassroot organizations, governmental entities, and unions. She also attended external events and worked on creating community projects.

Coming into this Co-op position as an Outreach, Promotion, and Engagement Coordinator for SFU’s School of Communication, I was not expecting to gain any sort of event planning experience. Creating an event for our incoming students for Fall 2023, was a brand-new concept that flourished this semester.

Did I exaggerate my capabilities? Will they think I’m a disappointing hire? These were some of the questions that plagued my mind when I first stepped into the office. The fears worsened as I started to learn about my expected workflow, and I wondered if I was out of my depth.

Creating a work, life, sport balance as a co-op student-athlete can be a daunting task. Learn about some common misconceptions and tips for success!

Creating a video might seem like a daunting task, especially when we look at the editing aspect, but Trisha has provided a guide that has simplified the process for her while she gained work experience during her co-op term.

Working in a full-time position in an office involves a lot of online communication and file management, thus staying organized is the key to success. In my job specifically, my main tasks were replying to emails and messages on social media as well as posting on the platforms, creating a monthly newsletter, designing promotional graphics, and updating webpages. But no matter the occupation, whether you’re a worker or a student, these tips may help you stay organized and be effective.

Kaylie Au is an Interactive Arts and Technology co-op student who completed her work term at Nokia. Read about how this opportunity helped her develop professional associations and helped her grow her skillset!  

Unlike designing a magazine cover or a poster that remains on the shelf for a period of time, social media content elevates the brand with a single post and catches the sight of the audience in less than a second. When the design space is just small square, there is only so much you can do, so with that in mind, here are five graphic design tips to make sure your branded social media posts are appealing and maintain a lasting impression about your brand

Morgan Karugaba shares his journey of how he overcame the challenges of uncertainty, by stepping out of his comfort zone.

How will I find a Co-op position that is perfect for me? That is a question that I had throughout my first and even my second seeking term. Thankfully, that is something that I have found the answer to this semester. This journey of mine started with my seeking semester.

Hannah Chan, an SFU Surrey Co-op student has learnt the confidence to help her tackle the world of job searching from her time in her co-op job, and hopes to share her tips with you too.

Knowing what I wanted to specialize in allowed me to start making plans for my first Co-op term. In all honesty, getting your first Co-op term can be exciting and intimidating. However, with a little planning and effort, you can position yourself for success.

Meet Danielle Fleck, the Senior Manager of Development Events at Fraser Institute. In this quick Q&A, Danielle discusses the benefits of having an intern at the organization, the growth of the interns they hired and how the organization made the interns feel comfortable in their position.

I was the only communication person in my department; there were no experienced communicators to work closely with and learn from. I thought this situation would limit my room to learn, but surprisingly I gained valuable experiences and exercised skills that I didn't expect.

Meet Anik Ahmed, an SFU Master of Political Science Co-op student. In this quick Q&A, Anik shares a bit about his co-op experience. Keep on reading as Anik shares his co-op's workplace culture, his employer and how he got the unique experience of travelling to Victoria.

Janice shares strategic tips on how to make the most of any student experience by becoming fully engaged. Whether it is expanding her network, traveling to interact with colleagues, connecting with mentors, or exploring a new city, Janice dives into it all.

Meet George Gayed, a Political Science student minoring in international studies with a concentration of international security and conflict. In this quick Q&A, George discusses his work in his different positions, goes over highlights and the most valuable things he has learned.

Meet Giulia Crovini, an Economics Co-op student. In this quick Q&A, Giulia shares about her co-op experience. Specifically, she highlights the many benefits of applying for positions outside of your faculty.

Meet Ditij Beladiya, a student completing an Honours undergraduate degree with a Major in Economics, Concentration in Economic Data Analytics and Minor in Political Science. In this quick Q&A, Ditij shares about his co-op experience. Read about his interview, his day to day tasks and what he has learned.

Many times, our co-op students graduate from our program, and use these experiences in future positions. Today, we will be interviewing a former student of ours, Fatima Sajid to see where she is now after graduation. Read about how her onboarding processes went, the skills she learnt and how her employers helped her develop said skills.

Meet Annelyse Ross, a Political Science and Social Data Analytics Co-op student. In this quick Q&A, Annelyse shares about her co-op experience. Read about how she discusses how she determines if a position is a good fit for her, what she did in her Policy Intern position and even how she got to travel as part of her position.

The gaming industry is faced paced and requires you to be on the go, but that's exactly why I love it.

I’ve spent the last eight months working an SFU research group on fulfilling projects focused on identifying barriers and opportunities to vehicle electrification in BC. What is research work like, and should you consider pursuing a research position?

SFU Surrey Co-op feature student is Carissa Shum, an Interactive Arts and Technology student who worked for FORM Athletica as an Android Developer. 

SFU Surrey Co-op features student Tianna Sequeira, a Sustainable Energy Engineering student who has been doing some calculating and analyzing work on her co-op journey. 

Meet Amy S. FitzGerald, the Executive Director at BC Society of Transition Houses (BCSTH). In this quick Q&A, Amy discusses how co-op students adapted to the position, resources the organization provided and tips for future employers and students.

Having thoughts about Co-op, here's an article of business co-op experience that might just be the right motivation for you.

Meet Graham Stuart, the Director of Corporate Planning at the City of Coquitlam. In this quick Q&A, Graham discusses the process of hiring an intern, the rewards and tips for employers hoping to hire a student.

Meet Aliyah Datoo, an SFU Master of Political Science Co-op student. In this quick Q&A, Aliyah shares a bit about her co-op experience. Keep on reading as Aliyah shares her day to day tasks, the onboarding process and how she has felt about the experience.

Meet Herman Chan, an Interactive Arts and Technology co-op student who has been developing his skillset as a graphic design intern at AGvisorPro, a start-up company with a vision to build the world's most credible independent agriculture network.

I came into it wanting to learn as much as I could. Somehow, I learned more than I thought I would, including about the changeable nature of start-ups. I’ll always be grateful for the flexible work environment that allowed me to gain experience in things I never dreamed of doing.

In university, it is important for students to initiate connections with individuals around them to make the best of their opportunities. However, networking is hard and is not taught as a skill.  Networking is something that must be practiced to be perfected. Luckily, there are tools that make it easier for individuals to connect with others, which leads to greater opportunities in their careers.

Do you feel out of place at your workplace? Perhaps even like you don't belong? You’re not the first nor the last to feel this way. It is completely normal; you just landed a job working alongside people with more experience than you. Keep reading to find out how Alan overcame these insecurities.

Meet Ian Ho, an SFU Master of Economics Co-op student. In this quick Q&A, Ian shares a bit about his co-op experience. Keep on reading as Ian shares with us his most valuable less, some highlights from his work term, and tips for those going into their first co-op. 

Beedie student, Daniel Furlot, shares their experiences with making the most out of an eight-month Co-op term by being aware of areas of improvements within the company, and making a pitch to facilitate positive change.

Beedie student, Alex Beechney, shares his experience in learning essential life skills such as decision-making, communication, and working under pressure during his Co-op work term at ACD Systems. 

Meet Zafer, an SFU Master of Economics Co-op Student. In this quick Q&A, learn more about his current co-op at Scotiabank. Keep reading as Zafer tells us more about the role, what he's looking forward to the most, and some tips for students who are beginning their co-op journey. 

Nathan shares his key insights during his Co-op experience including the importance of confidence and asking good questions in order to explore new possibilities.

Elina experienced challenges while applying for Co-op during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the end of her degree. Follow these tips on how to successfully find a job placement–with less stress!

As a communications assistant on campus, Victoria San Martin learned about the value of volunteer work in strengthening soft skills and finding community. Read about how her work term inspired her to seek out more involvement opportunities at SFU.

Actuarial Science and Statistics student, Dylan McCartney, shares his experience with the ups and downs of job applications and learning as you go.

Meet Ata Malfuzi, an SFU Master of Economics Co-op student. In this quick Q&A, learn a little about his current role at KPMG. Keep on reading as Ata gives some insight into what the hiring process was like, what he's looking forward to the most, and some tips for students who are beginning their co-op journey. 

Co-op is more than an opportunity to gain experience that will look good on your resume; it is also a chance to reflect and learn more about yourself. Read about Tiffany's experience working with FASS Communications.