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SFU Student Graduate
Arts + Social Sciences › Political Science

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Tell us a bit about your background. What program are you in?

I am a MA student in the Department of Political Science. I graduated in April from the French Cohort Program in Public and International Affairs – I completed a double major in French and Political Science through this program.

What are your day to day tasks like at your co-op position?

Since I am doing both student recruitment and planning student life activities, the tasks I have change over time. For example, sometimes I am in high schools giving presentations about options in French at SFU or I am consulting students on their university experience or even meeting community partners. I love having variety in my day.

What made you realize that this position is a great fit for you?

Throughout my undergraduate program, I did a lot of volunteer work with the goal of promoting French-language opportunities for both Francophone and Francophile students in the university. SFU’s Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs supported my initiatives and guided me towards success. Now that I work at OFFA, this position has allowed me to continue supporting the presence of the French language at the university and support others who wish to do the same.

What was the workplace culture like?

Everyone has been so wonderful! My opinion is important to them and I feel comfortable expressing myself. I find that they really value communication and taking the time needed to complete high quality work. They also really value and work-life balance and taking care of yourself.

What was the onboarding process like for you as a co-op student?

My supervisor and colleagues were very supportive and welcoming to me when I first started. I already knew most of my colleagues beforehand since OFFA and the French Cohort Program are so closely tied together, so this made the adjustment easier for me. They made sure that I took the time to understand everyone’s role, but also who they are as people, which was something I greatly appreciated.

What did the employer do to help you feel comfortable in your position?

They checked in on me quite often to see if I had any questions or concerns which I found helped me feel more comfortable. They also made it clear that I could always ask for help and that no matter who, the door is always open.

SFU Student Graduate

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