Skip to main content
Communication, Art + Technology › Communication
OLC Student Community Coordinator

work found me

This is the second entry of my co-op blog. I’ve been working with the TELUS marketing department for a month and a half now, for the full story make sure you check out part one.

The last time you heard from me I was trying to come up with ways to keep busy at work. At the time my supervisor reassured me that I’d be wistfully hoping to get that free time back. I probably should have listened.

A week after my last post one of my team members left the company. Remember how I was shadowing someone while I learned the ropes? Well that was over. All of those projects were my responsibility now, and well as two others I had never seen before. I had help and guidance of course, but the person on our team most familiar with the projects was now me, and the deadlines weren’t going to wait for me to catch my breath.

Need another plot twist? A few days after I finally got a handle on my projects and felt fairly confident in what I was doing I was invited to a meeting. All of our current campaigns were changing. Immediately. That meant that I was now responsible for making sure my new projects were seamlessly changed over, complete with new legal that I had to compile and approve. I think that was probably the biggest challenge. I love The Good Wife, and I used to think about going to law school, but I never thought I’d be the one writing the fine print on your mail.

Without getting into the nitty gritty details, I had to coordinate with about four different teams, including our creative agency, who were the ones making the actual changes, get new offer codes, approve every piece, and get it back to the agency to send out. All without missing a mailing date.

I complain about it here of course, but I loved it. I’ve always worked better when I have a million things and it sure makes the day go by fast.

That’s all from me this week, I guess I don’t have a lesson for you this time (except be careful what you wish for), but instead some advice: If you ever feel like you’re floundering at work, you’re probably not alone. You just need to keep your head down, ask smart questions, ask for help if you need it, and get it done.

Is anyone else on a co-op term this semester? Tell me about your experiences in the comments or send me a tweet @lizzmoffat.

Beyond the Blog

  • Check out the Communications Co-op Blog, Communique, for more stories like Elizabeth's!
OLC Student Community Coordinator

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... Co-op Reflections

8 studnets standing in a line with their hands in the air celebrating
What I Really Learned on My Co-op Work Term

Fulfilling your learning objectives is one thing, but what did you really learn on your co-op work term? The OLC asked some current and former co-op students what lessons they took with them so you can make your next work term a success.

a girl writing an essay
From Classroom to Cubicle: How My Student Skills Led to Co-op Success

Once you land a job, the skills you’ve learned in your classes make surprising appearances in the workforce. Discover how Rebecca’s ability to navigate university helped her attain co-op success!

five friends on the bikes
Develop Your Career in Hong Kong
Consider going abroad for your co-op. When Alan did his co-op in Hong Kong, he not only got first hand experience with a new culture but he also developed new skills.