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SPRING CLEANING!

Our team is doing some spring cleaning starting with user accounts. Login using your CAS credentials for instructions. We appreciate your speedy action so we can move onto other new and exciting initiatives over the summer.

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OLC!

BY STUDENTS, FOR STUDENTS

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Join the community using your SFU CAS account. Then, complete your registration by clicking on your name located in the top right corner of the page.

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Share Your SFU Story 

Have a story to share about your time at SFU? Add your voice to the ever-expanding gallery of community stories on our SFU Stories page! Take about 15 minutes to reflect on your experiences at SFU, including, but not limited to, involvement in clubs, student unions, peer mentorship, and work opportunities. Share your story to educate, inspire, and connect the SFU community. Submissions are welcome year-round, from all years and faculties.

Everyone has a story! What's yours?

SUBMIT

NEW VIDEO SERIES

Multilingual SFU

SFU students (graduate and undergraduate,) staff and faculty share their multilingual experience and welcome you to multilingual week at SFU. Do you have a multilingual story to share? Add it to the OLC.

Watch

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Share Your SFU Story 

Have a story to share about your time at SFU? Add your voice to the ever-expanding gallery of community stories on our SFU Stories page! Take about 15 minutes to reflect on your experiences at SFU, including, but not limited to, involvement in clubs, student unions, peer mentorship, and work opportunities. Share your story to educate, inspire, and connect the SFU community. Submissions are welcome year-round, from all years and faculties.

Everyone has a story! What's yours?

SUBMIT

Changing Times: Stories to Inspire Hope and Resilience

 

Image of Priyanka Das
Blog
Discover Your True Self: 7 Tips to Develop Unwavering Self-Belief and Authenticity
Digital Resource Assistant

Take chances as you never know what opportunities may arise. Meet Priyanka Das, a Beedie Co-op student who’s working with SFU’s Communication and Marketing department as a Digital Resource Assistant. Learn more about how she landed her current co-op and other opportunities such as the CEOx1Day finalist by being authentic and believing in their abilities.

VOLUNTEER STORIES

 

FEATURED

Chinmayee's Picks

Chinmayee's Picks

OLC has things to help students go pro. Having been part of the OLC's technical team and coming from a tech background myself, I tend to skim through tech-related articles first, diving deeper into the ones that pique my interest. I've compiled a list of my favourite finds from the OLC website, considering them valuable assets for fellow students.

Jared's Picks

Jared's Picks

Working as an editor for the OLC has been such a positive learning experience and has help me connect with so many unique and engaging stories. I would like to share some of my favourite pieces that I had the pleasure of working on. Yes, their grammar and spelling is great and their writing voice is very personal but each of these had something special.

Serena's Picks

Serena's Picks

It's been an amazing four months as a Copy Editor here at the OLC. I've had the chance to work on a variety of content, and it's been quite a journey. The OLC is a unique space where students can explore and contribute to a wide range of topics. Choosing my top picks was tough with so much good stuff, but here are three pieces that really stood out to me.

FEATURED

Hustle Culture

Hustle Culture

When should you stop and take a break? How much work is too much work? In this episode of Diving Into the Everyday, join us as we explore what is hustle culture, looking at its rise in exposure, and why a person may feel this pressure to participate.

Experiencing A New Culture In Mexico

Experiencing A New Culture In Mexico

I learned a lot more about myself – new interests, being more adaptable, future ambitions, etc. It was one of the most unique and remarkable experiences in my lifetime.

7 Ways to Have a Successful Meeting With Your Supervisor or Team

7 Ways to Have a Successful Meeting With Your Supervisor or Team

If you are struggling to facilitate or actively participate in meetings, you are not alone, as many students share the same struggle in school projects, student clubs and the workplace.

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NEW VIDEO SERIES

Job Search in a Pandemic

New episodes of Career Conversations from SFU Career and Volunteer Services are released every Tuesday on the OLC. Tune in see your most burning questions about the world of work, volunteering, and career exploration answered by guests from diverse professional backgrounds and organizations across Canada.

Episode 3 features Kristina Lee, Director of the IT Division at Impact Recruitment. You don't want to miss her expert tips for job searching during the pandemic and how you can best show off your soft skills to employers.

Watch
person laughing

NEW VIDEO SERIES

Job Search in a Pandemic

New episodes of Career Conversations from SFU Career and Volunteer Services are released every Tuesday on the OLC. Tune in see your most burning questions about the world of work, volunteering, and career exploration answered by guests from diverse professional backgrounds and organizations across Canada.

Episode 3 features Kristina Lee, Director of the IT Division at Impact Recruitment. You don't want to miss her expert tips for job searching during the pandemic and how you can best show off your soft skills to employers.

Watch

NEW POST

Activism Burnout: An Interview with Registered Clinical Counsellors

In light of the increased visibility of injustices around the world, taking a stand and contributing to social justice is becoming more prominent in our everyday lives. As you learn and advocate about different injustices, you may experience activism burnout with added stressors such as balancing work, personal life, school, and extracurricular activities. SFU Health Peers interview Counsellors at Health and Counselling Services for advice.

Read

NEW POST

Why You Should Consider Submitting an SFU Story to the OLC

SFU Stories on the OLC are short-form, Instagram-style, narrative stories that help to build a welcoming SFU community. No matter how big or small, every story has something to offer. Share your story today!

Read

NEW POST

I’m Starting a Minor Late Into My Degree... Now What?

One of our OLC team members, Brianna Tsang, shares her experience of deciding her minor in her 3rd year at SFU. "The knowledge and genuine connections made throughout this process has been an amazing experience and opportunity to have."

Read

NEW POST

Social Media Addiction & Screen Fatigue: A Survival Guide for Jobs in Social Media

When it comes to social media and digital marketing positions, it’s easy to be blinded by the positives. After all, many Communication majors are fascinated by digital marketing and algorithms— and if you’re a digital native, creating social media content might already be second nature to you. Whether you manage social media for your organization or create external content, there are a few bonuses to consider.

Read

NEW STUDENT PODCAST

On the Spot with the OLC

The OLC team is extremely excited to introduce a brand new podcast titled On the Spot with the OLC. Your hosts, Mehtaab and Terae, discuss important topics revolving around community, engagement, education and overall life advice! Within these 12 episodes, your hosts aim to bring a well rounded perspective to a variety of topics as they believe they can provide insightful knowledge about what it's like to be an SFU student. Please make sure to have a listen!

Listen to Episode 1: Creating Community at SFU

NEW PODCAST ON THE OLC

StudioBytes

Welcome to Studio Bytes! A podcast inspired by the energy of the SIAT Studios and the memories students make in those spaces. This podcast invites Alumni back into the studio and we get to learn about their experiences at SIAT and their lives after. In Episode 2 meet SFU Alumni Marie Cheung who shares her experience at SFU, her life post SFU and her time in Europe

Listen to Episode 2: What is Service Design?

Login to Provide your Feedback!

Did you know that each landing page on the site has a feedback section for logged in users? We use this information to discover and fix issues, consider site improvements and addition of new features. Our tech team is focused on feature improvements this summer, so share your input to direct changes to the OLC.

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ABOUT

Our Learning Community

SFU's Our Learning Community has an incredible range of content created by and for the SFU community. This includes diverse and authentic stories, which show a range of inspirational knowledge sharing happening between students, as well as handy tools that help with learning anywhere and everywhere you are.
 
Discover how you can contribute to our ever-expanding learning community.

 

CONTRIBUTE
11112
Members Joined

 

2226
231
Projects Created

 

92
Series Compiled

 

EXPLORE

Recognizing that our SFU community members are versatile storytellers, the new OLC has expanded how you can tell your story. Come take a look by exploring into this brand new range of content curated by our editors; this includes Blogs, SFU Stories, Videos, and Podcasts. And remember, no matter where you are in your learning journey at SFU, we want to hear your story! Learn more on how you can contribute to the OLC.

 

 

EXPLORE
a phone screen showcasing Amazon stocks rising
Blog
Get Your Side Hustle On: A Student's Guide to Part-Time Work

As she puts it, grad student Srijani Datta has been a student for most of her life. To support her love of academia she has worked as a reporter, tutor, translator, transcriber, and content writer. Develop your own side-hustle with her tips. 

A person flexing
Blog
Just Like Bunko: Learning Strengths

Everyone has weaknesses. But its focusing on your strengths that grant you success in life.

A woman standing with a cardboard box on her head
Blog
How to Navigate Student Mindset Traps

When students enter their first or second Co-op work term, there can be a risk of falling into student mindset traps. These are the habits we pick up as students that are detrimental to our professional performance and development. Read on to learn more about how Bowen learned to avoid student mindset traps after four Co-op semesters working for three different companies.

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LEARN

SHARE

CONTRIBUTE

Videos

Read

Learn

Share

Contribute

There is so much to explore on the new OLC!

So, browse around and have fun with the new learning and storytelling tools. Found something not working?

EXPLORE

Recognizing that our SFU community members are versatile storytellers, the new OLC has expanded how you can tell your story. Come take a look by exploring this wider range of content including Blogs, SFU Stories, Videos, Experiential Learning Experiences, and Podcasts. And remember, no matter where you are in your learning journey at SFU, we want to hear your story! Learn more on how you can contribute to the OLC.

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THE LATEST

Catch up on the latest and freshest content from the SFU OLC. You're bound to find a fresh new perspective, the most current advice, and recently published stories that are sure to inspire you.

 

 

THE LATEST
gretchen weiner from mean girls
Blog
Back to School 101: Five Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Consent

For some students, this is your first year at SFU and you’re probably excited (and nervous!). I remember feeling the same way, wondering where my classes would be, what the people would be like, whether or not I’d be invited to the good parties…normal first year questions! One thing I never thought I'd have questions about was, consent. 

A photo of the author
Blog
The 201st Application

It’s been two months and 20 days since my first day of my Co-op term at Westcoast Family Centres, but I still find myself waking up every other day in utter disbelief that things worked out!

Photo of the author giving a presentation
Blog
Creating Value: The Adventures of an IT Co-op Student

As someone who didn’t have a lot of direct experience in a technological setting, providing value to the organization had to come from something much bigger than my direct skill set.

Sandra and her coworkers
Blog
Picniic'-ing Through Work: My Co-op Journey

"As it just so happens, I went in blind. I didn’t know what I was up against, and I can’t say I felt particularly ready either, as I had no previous marketing experience." - Sandra talks about her co-op experience with Picniic.

Diana in front of her cubicle
Blog
Tips on Coping with a Challenging Co-op Term

"Sometimes, a co-op work term is not exactly what you expect it to be; it happens." But perspective is everything. Read Diana's tips on how to cope with a challenging co-op term. 

the author sitting in her desk
Blog
Me, Myself and I: Confessions from a UX Team of One
When you are the only designer on a project, let alone the entire company, you are bound to face trials and tribulations. However, there are rewarding opportunities in store for designers on the lonely path to mastery.
Leana Li using a computer with papers on the table
Blog
My Love-Hate Relationship with Accounting

"I knew very little about accounting and definitely had no passion for it" - read on to find out how Leana overcame her aversion towards accounting.

a portrait of the author
Blog
4 Reasons Why You Should Work for a Non-Profit

Want your career to make a meaningful impact on your community and the world, but don't know how? Davina shares how working in the non-profit sector may just be the solution.

Maggie Benston Centre
Blog
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.

A photo of the author standing in front of Granville Square
Blog
Succeeding in a Start-up 101

"This being my first co-op term, I didn’t really know what to expect. I didn’t know what to wear, how welcoming my co-workers would be or what exact tasks I would be assigned" - Joshua talks about his co-op experience.

Picture of an interviewer and interviewee
Blog
6 Interview Tips from the Other Side of the Table: an Interviewer’s Perspective

Ever wonder how interviewers feel on the other side of the table? SFU Career & Volunteer Services’ very own superstar Career Peer, Scarlett Wu, shares her perspective on interviews and offers ideas on how to ace your own.

People posing in front of the SAP compant logo
Blog
Boy Meets World: Tripping and Falling into the Tech Industry

Deciding whether to do Co-op or not?  Braedon shares his experience with Co-op and how it can give you a competitive edge.

Claire standing in front of the SFU building, looking to a distance
Blog
Getting Started in a Startup: My Co-op at Coral Health

Thinking about doing a co-op with a start-up company? Read Claire's co-op experience to find out what it was like!

Image of Grace sitting down, facing the water at a beach in Australia
Blog
Exchange Experience: Discovering Myself Through Travelling

What does it mean to be alone but not lonely? Grace Chang talks about self-discovery, studying abroad and her adventures in Australia.

Ivy Choi
Blog
The Pre-Interview Pep-Talk You Never Knew You Needed

Landing the interview is a big and the first step towards experiences that will help you throughout your working life. Here are some of Ivy's top tips on pre-interview preparations. 

a planner with some wild flowers layout on top
Blog
Organize Yourself: Tips on Managing Your Work

Struggling to organize your workflow? Don't worry! Read more of Sharon's blog as she gives useful and practical tips on how to manage your time and work!

Sharon Huang's portrait
Blog
Choosing a Start-Up Over a Large Corporation

Are you uncertain whether to pursue a co-op at a large corporation or a small company? Sharon Huang shares why she chose to launch her career at a start-up. 

TRIUMF particle accelerator
Blog
A Penny in a Sea of Sheldons: My Co-op at TRIUMF

You see a job posting, you read the description, you become interested. You apply for the job, you get interviewed, then you get hired. Now what? Anh Vu, shares how she learned the ropes at TRIUMF. 

Mikaela standing in front of her company's logo
Blog
Loving the Non-Profit Life

Working at non-profit organizations may have a less-than-desirable reputation among students, especially regarding pay and prestige; and while it may not look as glamorous as working in a big corporate firm, it has a few unique perks to help you gain valuable experience. 

Pat Chaisang standing in front of SAP's sign
Blog
Five Easy Hacks to Excel at your Co-op!

When it comes to an experience of a lifetime like an internship, the one question we ask ourselves over and over again is “how do I make the most out of this experience?” In this blog, I would like to share with you five game-changing strategies that you can start implementing at work!

Matvei Rudenko
Blog
Growing Your Skills by the Hour: Working in a Fast-Paced Start-Up

Read about Matvei's co-op experience at a start-up company and how this life-changing opportunity helped his career development journey.