Skip to main content
Communication, Art + Technology › Communication
SFU Co-op Student

Portrait of Samuel
An SFU Co-op work term can be a nice break from classes, both mentally and financially, so make sure you enjoy every minute of it!

Excited, motivated, anxious, and nervous (just to name a few)- these are the initial feelings I experienced before beginning my first SFU Co-op work term at a shared information services consortium called BCNET.

Curious about the transition to my new role of Communications Coordinator during my first week? Well, thankfully that went as smooth as I ever could have imagined. With the help of the amazing and supportive management and staff at BCNET, along with vital training from the previous Co-op student, my transition was one that I will certainly never forget.

The following are five key tips that not only helped me succeed within my first week, but fundamental tips that I will certainly use as guidance for future jobs.

1. Rest and Relax

The first week will include being swamped with an information overload, so it’s best that you come and remain as well rested as possible. This can be tough, especially with extracurricular activities and commitments outside of work, but try to minimize other events for the week so your main focus can be on the company. Being rested and relaxed at the workplace will allow you to maximize your learning potential, while minimizing the stress of a tired mind and body.

2. Take Notes

During my first week, my notebook may have been the most important tangible product I owned- seriously. Working within an Information Technology company, there is no shortage of new technologies and programs to learn. Having my notebook along the way helped the transition greatly and allowed me to reference back to my notes in case I was ever stuck.

3. Ask Questions

Besides having my notebook with me, this was the most important thing I did during my training. Asking questions during my first week (and I asked a lot of them) was important in expanding my knowledge. Some will certainly shy away from questions during the first week but believe me, your supervisor(s) will really appreciate it as it shows them an eagerness to learn, leading to the ability to succeed.

4. Learn the Environment

For my work term, the office was located in downtown Vancouver, just a stone's throw away from Waterfront Station. This was a new experience as I have always lived and worked outside of the city. Learning the surrounding environment was key for myself; having the ability to know the office space, surrounding area, places to eat, etc, made the work term a whole lot more comfortable and enjoyable. 

5. Have Fun and Enjoy the Ride

An SFU Co-op work term can be a nice break from classes, both mentally and financially, so make sure you enjoy every minute of it! Throughout my work term I was able to meet many professionals from various companies and institutions that we worked with. It was great to be able to network with my colleagues and have a chance to have fun and chat about things outside of work.

With a Co-op work term extension, my ride with BCNET isn’t quite over. Until then, I’ll enjoy it as much as possible!

SFU Co-op Student
visibility  43
Jul 22, 2013

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...

picture of glichelle pondering a though
Surviving Workplace Politics

Ever been peeved with workplace politics? Have you ever been a victim of office politics? One student shares her experiences from the workplace with tips on how to survive.

 

person with their head in a book
Responsibility and Success

One of the most memorable parts of my time in co-op was the collection of accidents, errors, mistakes, and mix-ups that happened in the course of working in the laboratory.

 

You Might Like These... Research

Nanowires
Silver Nanowires Lead to Publication for Co-op Students

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! 

girl standing beside SFU sign
Starting or Continuing Your Co-op Journey: A Letter to Current and Future Co-op Students

If you are a current Co-op student, someone who’s about to begin their work term, or someone who’s thinking about possibly joining the program, this one is for you! I remember going into my first Co-op work term and finding comfort in reading about other students’ Co-op experiences. Not knowing what to expect can be scary, so being able to have a snapshot into what others have experienced or learned can offer some insights.

Parliment HIll (Ottawa)
Experiencing What Life Has to Offer in Ottawa Ontario

Moving away from home and starting a new job is both exciting and scary. This fall, Hannah began her first co-op term in Ottawa. Here she shares the ups and downs and why she would do it again in a heartbeat.