Co-operative Education

Timothy So is an Economics student who worked as a Statistical Methods Analyst at Blackberry. Read on to get a taste of what his position would entail. 

Hear some of the backgrounds and aspirations of the First Nations Student Association board members. A showcase of the diversity within the student led organization here at SFU.

In her latest post, Natalie conquers her first big event during her TFCSE Co-op term with her Trick or Eat team. Find out what she learned about event planning and working with volunteers.

After spending eight months with TFCSE Natalie details the final days of her Co-op experience, and the many surprises she came across as she said her good-byes to volunteers and coworkers.

Gursher shares with us his experience working for various fields within engineering. Read about his valuable experience in the co-op program! 

Looking to expand his horizons, Vincent takes on a co-op opportunity that isn't directly related to his field of study. Read on to find out how he overcomes these challenges! 

On October 7th and 8th 2013, WIL hosted SFU's first Three Minute Co-op Competition. 31 students presented on their Co-op experience, competing for cash prizes. Read a recap of the final 15 presenters.

Natalie's been writing OLC blogs for awhile now, so she was excited to be able to bring her blogging skills to her new Co-op job. Now she's launched the SFU Food Bank Blog.

Lauren turned to international Co-op as a way to continue gaining work experience while exploring the world. Read about her experience working for a high end international hotel chain in China.

For most engineering students, three semesters of Co-op work is a requirement for graduation. Follow Scott on his Co-op journey as he gradually discovers his passions by taking on multiple Co-op opportunities. 

In summer of 2013, SFU Biomedical Physiology student Severin Vaillancourt headed to The Bahamas as a Field Research Assistant with the school's Marine Ecology Lab. He shared recollections of his underwater adventures and more with International Co-op.

Natalie faces a new experience in her role as SFU Food Bank Coordinator: Conducting interviews. After only a few short months, she's on the other side of the table, find out how it went.

Hard work pays off. Read about how Pevisha's dedication to applying to multiple co-op positions finally paid off when Teradici reached out to her! 

Putting together a wardrobe of work-friendly options can be intimidating, especially if your a student or recent grad with a limited budget. Elizabeth provides 10 must-have items to transform your closet without going broke.

As almost anyone whose spent time in an office can attest, some people just do not know how to dress approporately for their workplace or a job interview. We asked SFU students, staff and alumni to share some of their real-life examples of what not to wear.

Natalie has lots of experience volunteering, but now she's managing volunteers for the first time. Read how she applied lessons she learned from former managers to make the transition with the SFU Food Bank.

After blogging her way through the interview process, Natalie found another Co-op position, this time right on campus in Maggie Benson Centre, and she's back to share her first days at TFCSE.

Read about Brian's very cool experience at MENVRA designing and building an exoskeleton arm! 

Read about Brandon's experience working in a large manufacturing company and the lessons he learned while working in a big team. 

Read about how Parminder fulfils his passions for computing science as he travels from Punjab to Vancouver and attends SFU as an international student. In this blog, he shares with us his experience as co-op student and how that has helped him achieve his career goals!

Read about how SFU students who took part in Co-op work terms at BlackBerry (formerly Research In Motion) – one of the SFU program’s biggest employers – are getting more than a hands-on experience. Many are landing plum positions.

After completing five co-op semesters, Ji Hoon Choi looks back at the choices that led him to where he is today: working, studying, and traveling all at once.

In the final entry of her Easter Seals Camp series, Rachael reflects on her summer spent in Squamish, sharing what she learned about herself, and her career path.

In the second of a three-part series, Rachael welcomes Easter Seals campers to Squamish, and offers advice to anyone thinking of spending the summer at camp.

In the first of a three-part series, Rachael begins her summer Co-op at a BC Easter Seals camp. Follow along as she goes through training and orientation, explaining the most strenuous, emotional and inspiring parts of her journey. 

The first week is often the most stressful for students on their first, second or even sixth work term. Coming from a successful transition into the workplace on his first co-op work term at BCNET, Samuel shares some of his top tips for the first week.

Naina had the opportunity to put her passion to work at her dream company for her 8-month co-op work term. In the final installment of a two-part series, Naina takes on new responsibilities and opportunities to grow as a marketer.

Naina had the opportunity to put her passion to work at her dream company for her 8-month co-op work term. In the first part of a two-part series, Naina shares the learning experiences from her first four months at one of the largest healthcare companies in the world.

SFU Beedie Business student Angie Yu is relocating to China this summer for an International Co-op position with the Embassy of Canada. She recently spoke with International Co-op Communications Assistant, Kiran Dhanoa and shared details about her interview and offered tips for others wishing to find work at an embassy or consulate.

My name is Tanya and I am majoring in Kinesiology – Active Health and Rehabilitation. I decided to join the Co-op program to gain hands-on experience and find out what type of work I would like to do once I have graduated. I began co-op in January of 2010 and finished the last of my co-op terms at the end of 2011, all in the area of physical rehabilitation. I wanted to address some of the challenges I have experienced during my time in co-op, and I hope to help other students who may be facing similar problems in their own work terms.

After completing co-op work terms with two different employers Tanya wanted to address some of the challenges she has experienced during their time in co-op, and she hopes to help other students who may be facing similar problems in their own work terms. Tanya's two co-op terms lead to two very different co-op experiences. In this two-part post, she shares the differences between them, and what she learned from them.

Computer Engineering student, Harpreet Basaron is currently on a 16-month co-op term with IBM. Read how her time in Toronto has allowed her to broaden her career horizons, as she left the province to set out on her own, overcoming new challenges and career experiences.

"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveller is unaware". Chesa went all the way to Berlin for her co-op term. She's currently working at an ever-growing mobile app start-up and loving every minute. The experience has shown her what opportunities can be possible when you open yourself to the world.

Samantha Luo spent her co-op term at Olson & Company Chartered Accountants. While there she learned about the importance of self-starting and keeping yourself motivated with minimal supervision. She now has five tips on getting work done and beating procrastination.

Undergraduate student Tanminder Rai and fellow student Paolo Dantes worked at SFU’s Functional Materials Engineering Lab under the supervision of assistant professor Woo Soo Kim. Read on to find out what this co-op experience was like for them! 

The idea of an out-of-town 12 month co-op may have intimidated me at one point, but now looking back, I realize just how much I have gained by taking on something that I initially perceived as a challenge.

Ever wondered what a job at the US Consulate in Vancouver would look like? Kamilah certainly did! Take a peak at Kamilah's co-op experience at the US Consulate General in Vancouver and the exciting opportunities they were offered in this position! 

“Professionalism, Cooperation, Respect, and Integrity are not only instilled in the organization but in myself as well." Read on to find out more about what Paul learned about during his eight months at the Canada Revenue Agency. 

The TaLK program offers an incredible opportunity to live and work in Korea as an english teacher to a group of Korean speaking elementary school students. One SFU student is currently teaching in Korea, and shares her experience with us.

Jeannette Friesen went to Bolvia with the Students for Development program, where she worked with the Solidarity and Free Trade Movement. While there she learned about the importance of culture and came home more motivated then ever to pursue her goals in international relations.

Mario Fong travelled to Hong Kong to join the HSBC trainee program through International Co-op. Dropping everything to live in a new country provided him with personal and professional experiences he won't soon forget.

SFU's International Co-op department interviewed Sean Sager fresh from his three-month term in Bolvia, where he worked with Students for Development as a Development Intern,  promoting and teaching the fundamentals of community economic development to local community leaders in Bolivia.

Like most undergrads, JunFeng wasn't sure what he wanted to do after graduation. This all changed when he did an 8-month co-op with Broadcom and later extended it for another 8 months. Read about his experience to find out more!  

After having had 3 interviews, Natalie realized that she would be happy with any of the jobs. Now, what does she do when two still are deciding, and one calls her and asks her to decide within 24 hours?

Ending the interview on a positive note and leaving the room with confidence. Natalie goes on her third interview. For this job interview she has relevant experience and hopes this will work to her advantage. Read more to learn about Natalie's experience.

Read about Kevin's co-op adventure at SNC Lavalin in Calgary and the lessons he's learnt along the way

Have you been asked to prepare a presentation and write an exam on top of your typical interview for your next job? Read on to find out more about Natalie's experience with this new job interview format and her key take-away lessons for you.