Skip to main content
Beedie School of Business
SFU Co-op Student

Taylor
When you’re working away from the office, you can get caught with distractions or feeling distant from your coworkers. However, with the right processes and tools you can still make your time at home positive and productive.

During the Spring 2020 semester, I had the opportunity to work at Vancouver Coastal Health at the Clinical & Systems Transformation (CST) project as a Jr. Business Analyst. I worked with the Order Sets team which oversaw converting pre-printed orders (these are standardized instructions on how to address different medical issues or procedures) onto computerized provider order entries for improved accuracy, greater consistency, and more evidence-based care to patients.

After three quarters through the semester, our entire team was made to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the next month, I got to experience firsthand what it is like to work remotely away from the office. Seeing how my team adapted to the situation helped me to determine what worked and didn’t work for me.

What Worked?

Everyday at 8:30am, we would start the day by having a quick call to gauge how everyone was doing and engage in lighthearted discussions. Usually, we would discuss very general updates that involved our team. Sometimes, we would also talk about what we were watching on Netflix or what plans we had for the weekend. I didn’t understand the purpose of this at first, as the meeting was not entirely work or process related.

However, after a week of starting everyday at 8:30am with a team call I began to understand and appreciate the simple times spent with my coworkers. This early call served as a moral booster and allowed us to start our day fresh by keeping our spirits up during the trying times of budget cuts and COVID-19. 

Our team also maintained all weekly meetings that we would have in person. This included managers updates, Business Process Question and Answers session, as well as a meeting for all Business Analyst to see what we are all working on. Whenever there were questions that needed to be asked, my coworkers and managers were also readily available through Skype for Business and Zoom for messaging and voice calls. These lines of communication were important to keep when we had to discuss problems or if we had any questions.

What Could I Do Better?

While working from home allows for greater convenience, it is still important to remember to get up and move around from time to time. As I often worked from my room, I soon found myself getting out of bed and walking a few steps to my computer. By the time lunch would come by, I would still have barely left my room. I found not moving all day to be quite tiring.

To address these types of issues, it’s important to keep a routine that is similar to if you had to go to an office. This includes getting dressed and having breakfast before your workday starts rather than doing it later. This will keep you energized for work and will give you a more focused mentality.

Lessons Learned

If you have a typical office job that can be done on a computer, working remotely will likely not significantly change what you do in your job (although it may change how you do it). To summarize what I have learned it would be the following points:

  • It’s good to keep up with your coworkers and ask how they are doing.

  • Maintain clear lines of communication and use new tools if necessary.

  • Remember to stretch and get up once in a while.

  • Maintain a routine even if you work from home.

When you’re working away from the office, you can get caught with distractions or feeling distant from your coworkers. However, with the right processes and tools you can still make your time at home positive and productive.

SFU Co-op Student
visibility  253
Aug 24, 2021

You Might Like These... Seeking, Preparing for a Work Term, Job Search, Life Experience, Professional Development, Workplace Success, Working Remotely

student leaning on a bannister smiling
Work Safe, Work Healthy

Workplace safety is a critical topic for new workers. This article contains useful information on Occupational Health and Safety regulations in BC, and important tips on how to stay safe and healthy in an office environment.

Laptop and smartphone on desk
Three Tips for Working from Home

My first co-op semester was somewhat different from a majority of the co-op positions that students apply for on Symplicity. I chose to do a self-directed co-op which had me primarily working from home.

Image of the Author during the Internship
Back Pain Myth Busters and Spine Hygiene

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.  

You Might Like These... During the Work Term

Oil painting of clocks piled up
Across Time Zones: Lessons in Time Management and Navigating Corporate Culture

Shumail had finally landed her first Co-op position as a corporate actuarial intern but there was a catch: the job was in Toronto, she was working remotely from home in Edmonton, all while attending SFU in Vancouver. Read on to learn how she learned key lessons in time management and corporate culture while navigating the work from home life

Lampa’s first time wearing her uniform after receiving it in the mail. A proud moment.
Lessons from My First Work Term in the Civil Service; During a Global Pandemic

Thinking about working remotely for your next co-op term? Political Science student, Maja Lampa describes her experience adapting to remote work during her first season with the Federal Government and how she found meaningful work in uncertain times.

the author working from home
Surviving the Shift to Remote Work: A Message from One Co-op Student to Another

Have you stopped commuting to work? No more walks to your favourite local coffee shop? Stuck at home working on your tiny laptop? Maria and her team are figuring out new ways for effective communication your teammates while staying sane. She realized that she's not the only student struggling while undergoing the shift. To learn more about the resources that helped Maria turned her hectic reality a bit more manageable and enjoyable, read on.