Job interviews can be nerve-racking but with planning and preparation anyone can master the basic steps for interview success. Here are five tips to help you get ready.
Co-operative Education
When you think of an “interview”, do you normally think of a one on one interview? That’s what I used to think of. However, as a co-op student you might experience panel interviews. Read on to find out what you should know before a panel interview.
Emily recounts her co-op term working with the Feds at Service Canada.
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.
Are you on the fence about studying abroad? Fourth year business student, Vivyn Zhou shares how an international exchange in South Korea impacted her, and why you should consider applying too.
Some people dream of having a career in the public service but what is it like to be the person making those dreams come true? Go behind the scenes with Rebecca and read about her experience working as a Staffing Assistant at the Canada Revenue Agency!
So you’ve just landed your Co-op position at SFU. You’re excited, and eager to get going – but somewhere along the way, you might notice that working at your home school and studying there can be an entirely different experience. Sally Arang shares her tips on how to make the transition from a student to an employee of SFU as seamlessly as possible.
Like many others, as a senior student, Joyce was still unsure of what direction she would take towards her future career. Teaching, lab work, and academia were all possibilities. How does one decide? Read Joyce's article on why she chose to live and teach in Korea!
During their second co-op work term, Emily learned many ways to take on a larger workload and add new skills to their resume. Here are five tips to take initiative in the work place in order to better both your own and your employers' experience. Taking on new and different tasks at work can improve your team productivity, increase what you take away from the term, impress your supervisor, and make your days go by more quickly.
As someone who has always been passionately engaged with both political and social issues, a job with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada checked two very important boxes. Little did I know, it would teach me much more than I could have ever expected.
A couple months into your Co-op placement and your manager comes up to you and asks you to stay and work with them for another semester? What do you do? If you’re having a hard time deciding, Michelle Raine is here to offer her six tips in helping you decide whether or not to take that extension.
Ever wondered what it would be like working for one of the big four accounting firms? Cameron shares his insight into working for PwC and their Audit and Assurance division, including key responsibilities and advice to help you succeed!
Do you thrive on innovation and creativity? Enjoy developing ground-up software solutions? If so, IBM’s Extreme Blue internship is for you. It is where business, innovation, research, and software development meet to provide solutions to satisfy business needs. Read on to learn about Warunika’s experience as an Extreme Blue intern in software development.
Jordan began his co-op at TELUS with a limited skillset and a lack of experience. Eight months later, he left TELUS with more than he could have imagined. In this blog post, he shares nine tips that helped him find success during his work term.
The Professional Development Coordinator at SFU's School for the Contemporary Arts interviews Daniel Arnold and Marisa Emma Smith from Alley Theatre about the company, their interest in working with students and advice for emerging artists.
The department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology (BPK) will be hosting its 8th Annual Research Day on Friday, March 31. Twelve BPK undergraduate students were asked a simple question: What do you like about research? After compiling all of their responses, I present to you six reasons why we like research!
Nervous about your first co-op job? Don’t be! These five tips will help prepare you for success and boost your confidence levels in no time. Keep calm & read on!
Have you thought about physiotherapy as a career option, or as part of your plan to rid your body of aches or pains? This article focuses on my own personal experiences with Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) at my co-op placement, and how it has affected my back pain as well as my future in physiotherapy.
For some, seniors can be intimidating and difficult to work with. However, after working as a Student Kinesiologist with 6-8 different clients on a daily basis, Matthew has compiled a list of 10 tips and tricks to help anyone working with seniors in any context, not just kinesiology.
Looking through co-op job postings and have no idea what a job as a Student Kinesiologist entails? I didn’t either. Now that I’ve worked as one, I’m here to shine some light on the subject.
As an international student Ha Na had the reality of high tuition, no work experience and challenges in finding employment. She decided co-op was the solution to learn professional work search skills and gain related employment while attending university. She shares her challenges and successes along the way.
The RCMP is a sought out employer for criminology students. If your main experience to date is in the retail sector, then there is a lot to discover about interviewing and working in the Public Service. Danika shares her experience moving from retail to working for the RCMP.
From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, Gary shares his experiences and lessons learned from when he lived and worked in the heart of Bavaria, Germany at the adidas Group global headquarters.
Having been involved in recruitment and on-boarding processes, discussions with managers and engineering recruitment teams, I share my experiences in recruitment and career development to give you insight into what employers are looking for.
Something that first starts out as a hobby may eventually grow into a highly tangible skill that is valued in the eyes of potential employers. For Jessica, she never considered her ability to create stories from videos would be good enough to pursue a career in it. But that all changed when Vancouver Coastal Health called and offered her a position as a videographer.
SFU has joined the Canadian Bureau for International Education’s (CBIE) Learning Beyond Borders (LBB) initiative to inspire more students to take advantage of learning experiences in other countries. Learn more about this initiative and what is means for you!
Every 10 minutes a senior is hospitalized from a fall—a preventable cause of injury and death among seniors. Megan joined the Fraser Health Patient Safety and Injury Prevention team as part of their multidisciplinary program to prevent seniors from falling. Continue reading to learn more about Megan's co-op experience!
The distinct ping of a notification at work often leads to a reflexive action in many of us. Do it, check the email. Sasha Zalyvadna shares her experience on how to combat the need to check work emails more often than one probably should.
After finishing two co-op semesters in Canada, Health Sciences student Samantha Lui wanted to take things farther and ventured off to Japan for eight months as a Research Assistant with the Kao Corporation. Find out how she successfully transitioned into a new environment whilst exploring every part of this exciting country.
Ever thought about working in Management Information Systems? Third year business student Vivyn Zhou shares her journey working for System Improvement in the Decision Support department at Vancouver Coastal Health.
The job application process can be overwhelming, especially you are sifting through an extensive list of companies that you may have never heard of. Amy explains why you should take a chance with a smaller organization and the rewarding experiences that may come with it.
Do you do sit-ups and crunches to to either get or maintain that six-pack? This article sheds light on why learned habits such as this are detrimental for your back health. In addition, I discuss “Spine Hygiene”, which refers to the daily maintenance of the spine as necessary to prevent back issues.
Find out more about my co-op job as a Research Assistant for SFU and discover how Lauren learned to navigate the data, politics and presentations to appreciate a side of the university students don’t normally get to experience.
For her second co-op, Environmental Science student Tegan Gallilee-Lang ventured out to the Greater Vancouver Zoo to assist the Fraser Valley Wetlands Wildlife Project. Read about her adventures on the job and her new animal friends!
Striking a balance between work and life is a difficult task for anyone regardless of their profession. Katerina explains how her desire to work overtook her personal life and she has some tips for making sure burn out doesn’t creep up on you.
An interview with the artistic director of a contemporary dance company. Brittany speaks to Amber about her upcoming solo work, past work and background in dance, thoughts on opportunities for emerging dancers, and more!
In five years at SFU, engineering physics undergrad Scott Beaupré landed three co-op job positions and four research projects without ever dropping off a résumé. Find out how!
Interning with a contemporary dance company was one of the best choices I made in my degree. After participating in a performance/installation, I met with one of the professional dancers in the production to talk career, personal strategies, and the ins and outs of the dance community in Vancouver.
Planning upfront saves you from last minute hustles. This article will prepare you for co-op in a city outside Vancouver where new opportunities and variable threats are waiting.
Spend your summer in one of the most vibrant and popular tourist destinations in BC! Make a difference in the operation and performance of a small company, and grow your entrepreneurial skillset in a meaningful way by working for WardoWest in Tofino.
Moving to Ottawa enabled Melissa to grow in new ways, make lasting memories and provide insight into their career and life goals. This article provides steps to make your experience in Ottawa meaningful and will (hopefully) inspire you to make the move.
Want to know the secrets of living a long, healthy life? Find out what makes someone a Super Senior in Part 2 of Monique and Olivia’s co-op story as they share what was learned from these amazing individuals and their Essential Guide to Healthy Living, so you too may become a Super Senior!
Want to know the secrets of living a long, healthy life? Find out what makes someone a Super Senior in Part 2 of Monique and Olivia’s co-op story as they share what was learned from these amazing individuals and their Essential Guide to Healthy Living, so you too may become a Super Senior!
Read Olivia and Monique's experience in conducting a Healthy Aging Study with Genome Sciences Centre (GSC).
Read Olivia and Monique's experience in conducting a Healthy Aging Study with Genome Sciences Centre (GSC).
You have ideas to share, but you can’t bring yourself to interject. Sound familiar? It might be a confidence issue, fear of being wrong, or an unwillingness to seem impolite. Even though conveying your ideas can seem like a daunting task, it doesn’t have to be. Read about Chantel's journey with public speaking in this article.
Curious about what it's like working in public service? Joseph breaks down his role as the Web Communications Assistant for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Read on to learn about his experience.
As a Laser Therapist/Clinic Office Assistant, Kim discovered that learning occurs every day and everywhere. Not only did she apply knowledge from school, but researched and learned about the different patient conditions she treated, teaching patients about their conditions and care. Read on to find out about her co-op experience.
Christopher used to think success depended on the separation of personal and professional passions. That was until he did a self-directed co-op term in Brazil researching some of the most successful soccer clubs. Follow him as he prepares to embark on his journey to Brazil.
In part two of Christopher's Brazillian co-op story, he arrives in São Paulo feeling overwhelmed. This all changes as he carries out his research, realizing something very powerful about the connection many Brazilians have to the sport of soccer.
What do Dungeons & Dragons and whitewater rafting have to do with software development? Aidan did an 8-month co-op work term at Safe Software where he participated in many such team building activities. Here, he discusses Safe's amazing work culture and shares thoughts from his experience.
Nowhere are the dire effects of climate change more apparent than in the Arctic. Join Sarah as she recounts her 3-week expedition at the top of the world and the 3 invaluable life lessons learned along the way.
Congrats! You’ve landed that job you worked so hard to get. Now what? Here's a guide with tips on how to to prepare for your new co-op term!
A globetrotting communicator, Almira Bardai is a PR and communications professional with over 17 years of experience in the field working all over the globe from Vancouver to Australia. Read on to learn more about her journey!