Skip to main content
Communication, Art + Technology › Communication
Co-operative Education

Headshot of Janvi

With the aim to engage in a variety of pursuits to determine my interests, I've done it all. From content writing and learning about social media marketing to developing my own portfolio, and submitting my work online to be published. I have also written technical documents, critical analysis papers, personal essays, and everything in between.

And based on my prior writing and learning experiences, I concluded that I am a strong writer who gravitates toward writing about subjects related to marketing and communications due to both my academic and personal interests in these fields.

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.

Here are some tips that helped me land my first Co-op term:
1. Early starts are best:

It's never too early to begin your Co-op job search. Begin by conducting research on companies and organizations in your field of interest, and then contact them to inquire about Co-op opportunities. Send out as many applications as you can. The more places you apply to, the better your chances of getting a job are. 

2. Link up:

Making connections is crucial when looking for an internship or a Co-op term. Get your name out there by visiting career fairs and networking with professionals in your field at events like these, as well as by asking your network for recommendations for jobs. The more connections you have, the more doors you can open for yourself that you might not have known existed otherwise.

3. Professionalism is key:

It's important to put your best foot forward when applying for jobs. This means having a cover letter that is well-written and professional, a resume that is clear and to the point, and the ability to communicate well in interviews. To demonstrate why you would be an asset to the team, you should come prepared to talk about your qualifications, experiences, and future plans. One thing I did to prepare for the interviews was to schedule a meeting with my Co-op Advisor to prepare. In addition, I researched sample basic and behavioral interview questions online. Finally, but certainly not least, I made sure I had read the job description before the interview.

4. Maintain a modicum of adaptability:

While knowing exactly what you want out of a Co-op placement is essential, keeping an open mind and being willing to learn from any experience is equally crucial. Be willing to consider jobs in different fields, locations, or different types of companies. You can never tell where an opportunity will lead you or what you'll learn in the process. I applied for the Technical Writer position, and to my surprise, I was interviewed despite having only a rudimentary understanding of the field. So do not hesitate to take chances!

5. Let's make the most of it:

Get the most out of your Co-op experience once you land one! Do not be afraid to try new things, to seek clarification, and to actively pursue ways to expand your knowledge and abilities. It is important to make the most of every opportunity that presents itself to you because participating in a Co-op is an excellent way to build your experience and your resume.

I have already finished my first semester working as an Internal Communications Assistant for the Communications and Marketing team at Simon Fraser University. And I cannot place enough emphasis on the things that I have learned thus far by being open to new opportunities and by seeking assistance when it is required.

Overall, it takes some work to land your first Co-op job, but the experience and skills you gain are well worth the effort. Get a head start, network, keep your cool, show some flexibility, and you will be well on your way to success!

In conclusion, my co-op experience was incredibly rewarding and enjoyable. The festive Christmas party named All that Glitters was a highlight of my time with the C&M team. Sparkles ruled the day, as you can see in the pictures!

Table decorated with cake and other desserts

Through working closely with my team, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the industry and develop my professional skills. In addition to the wonderful Christmas parties and team bonding opportunities, I also had the chance to meet the president, Joy Johnson, during my time here. This was an incredibly valuable experience for me. This picture shows me and my teammates (all nervous and excited at the same time) standing by Joy.

Janvi along with a few other students standing outside with an SFU sign in the background

Also, I had the exhilarating opportunity to be featured in a video for SFU's forthcoming big project. Participating in this was a thrilling experience that enabled me to display my proficiency and imagination in an exceptional and captivating manner. Here is me facing the lights and camera for the first time! In all honesty, I didn't have the guts to see the end result, but I have no doubt I had a good time working on it.

A photographer holding a camera

I am grateful for the chance to have been a part of this amazing team and for the support and guidance that I received from my colleagues and mentors throughout my work term here. Here is my awesome Internal C&M Team.

An online meeting where 7 people can be seen
Co-operative Education
visibility  571
Mar 16, 2023

Posts by Author

Emma standing in front of the pond at SFU Burnaby
Blog
A Co-op Student’s Guide to Media Relations

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?

A phone on the home screen where the apps for Twitter, Facebook and Instagram can be seen
Blog
Tips for Effective Social Media Marketing

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.

Co-op students standing outside around a sign that says "SFU"
Blog
Event Planning 101: 3 Tips for Planning an Event even Gen-Z’s will Enjoy

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.

You Might Like These... Co-op Reflections, Professional Development, Career Exploration, Seeking, Work Term Extension

author, courtney, smiling
A Second Term in Government: More of the Same?

Having completed my first work term for Health Canada as a Communications Officer Intern, I was eager to try something new, and the government was not where I believed that was going to happen. That is until I was offered a position at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada...

tower in ottawa
Increasing Your Chances of Working for the Government

With the stability and the opportunities that a government position provides, it’s not surprising that a lot of students are interested with working for the government. The What Can I Do in Government session gave students an opportunity to network with a panel consisting of alumni, current students and managers who are experienced in working for the public sector. Read on for some insights and tips that the panelists provided!

a portrait image of a woman smiling and looking into a distance
Self Discovery

In the changing labour market there are increased opportunities for seeking your own Co-op placement through a Self-Directed Work Search. In this 3 steps blog series by our career advisor Heather Williams, learn about how to successfully conduct self-directed work search from self-discovering to landing an informational interview.

You Might Like These... Seeking

Lightning
4 Reasons Why Lightning Round is Awesome

So it’s mid-March and you haven’t got a Co-op job for the summer yet, exams are approaching, and you're getting worried you'll never land a job. Co-op coordinators Heather Keeping and Marcia Shimizu offer up tips on how to excel during lightning round, and why it's actually awesome.

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.

Image of Author. Se is smiling at the camera and is wearing black shirt and black coat. The title of the blog is printed on the left of her image.
7 Ways Internships are Like All You Can Eat Buffets

Working in many different Co-op positions can be analogous with sampling everything at an all you can eat buffet. You see some things that really catch your eye, and some things you know you absolutely won’t like. But the fact of the matter is, you probably won’t know exactly what every single dish will taste like until you opt in to trying it. With Co-op, it’s much the same – you probably have an idea of what you want to do, but trying something entirely new might surprise you and pique your interest for future career options.