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SPRING CLEANING!

Our team is doing some spring cleaning starting with user accounts. Login using your CAS credentials for instructions. We appreciate your speedy action so we can move onto other new and exciting initiatives over the summer.

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OLC!

BY STUDENTS, FOR STUDENTS

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Join the community using your SFU CAS account. Then, complete your registration by clicking on your name located in the top right corner of the page.

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Share Your SFU Story 

Have a story to share about your time at SFU? Add your voice to the ever-expanding gallery of community stories on our SFU Stories page! Take about 15 minutes to reflect on your experiences at SFU, including, but not limited to, involvement in clubs, student unions, peer mentorship, and work opportunities. Share your story to educate, inspire, and connect the SFU community. Submissions are welcome year-round, from all years and faculties.

Everyone has a story! What's yours?

SUBMIT

NEW VIDEO SERIES

Multilingual SFU

SFU students (graduate and undergraduate,) staff and faculty share their multilingual experience and welcome you to multilingual week at SFU. Do you have a multilingual story to share? Add it to the OLC.

Watch

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Share Your SFU Story 

Have a story to share about your time at SFU? Add your voice to the ever-expanding gallery of community stories on our SFU Stories page! Take about 15 minutes to reflect on your experiences at SFU, including, but not limited to, involvement in clubs, student unions, peer mentorship, and work opportunities. Share your story to educate, inspire, and connect the SFU community. Submissions are welcome year-round, from all years and faculties.

Everyone has a story! What's yours?

SUBMIT

Changing Times: Stories to Inspire Hope and Resilience

 

Image of Priyanka Das
Blog
Discover Your True Self: 7 Tips to Develop Unwavering Self-Belief and Authenticity
Digital Resource Assistant

Take chances as you never know what opportunities may arise. Meet Priyanka Das, a Beedie Co-op student who’s working with SFU’s Communication and Marketing department as a Digital Resource Assistant. Learn more about how she landed her current co-op and other opportunities such as the CEOx1Day finalist by being authentic and believing in their abilities.

VOLUNTEER STORIES

 

FEATURED

Chinmayee's Picks

Chinmayee's Picks

OLC has things to help students go pro. Having been part of the OLC's technical team and coming from a tech background myself, I tend to skim through tech-related articles first, diving deeper into the ones that pique my interest. I've compiled a list of my favourite finds from the OLC website, considering them valuable assets for fellow students.

Jared's Picks

Jared's Picks

Working as an editor for the OLC has been such a positive learning experience and has help me connect with so many unique and engaging stories. I would like to share some of my favourite pieces that I had the pleasure of working on. Yes, their grammar and spelling is great and their writing voice is very personal but each of these had something special.

Serena's Picks

Serena's Picks

It's been an amazing four months as a Copy Editor here at the OLC. I've had the chance to work on a variety of content, and it's been quite a journey. The OLC is a unique space where students can explore and contribute to a wide range of topics. Choosing my top picks was tough with so much good stuff, but here are three pieces that really stood out to me.

FEATURED

Hustle Culture

Hustle Culture

When should you stop and take a break? How much work is too much work? In this episode of Diving Into the Everyday, join us as we explore what is hustle culture, looking at its rise in exposure, and why a person may feel this pressure to participate.

Experiencing A New Culture In Mexico

Experiencing A New Culture In Mexico

I learned a lot more about myself – new interests, being more adaptable, future ambitions, etc. It was one of the most unique and remarkable experiences in my lifetime.

7 Ways to Have a Successful Meeting With Your Supervisor or Team

7 Ways to Have a Successful Meeting With Your Supervisor or Team

If you are struggling to facilitate or actively participate in meetings, you are not alone, as many students share the same struggle in school projects, student clubs and the workplace.

person laughing

NEW VIDEO SERIES

Job Search in a Pandemic

New episodes of Career Conversations from SFU Career and Volunteer Services are released every Tuesday on the OLC. Tune in see your most burning questions about the world of work, volunteering, and career exploration answered by guests from diverse professional backgrounds and organizations across Canada.

Episode 3 features Kristina Lee, Director of the IT Division at Impact Recruitment. You don't want to miss her expert tips for job searching during the pandemic and how you can best show off your soft skills to employers.

Watch
person laughing

NEW VIDEO SERIES

Job Search in a Pandemic

New episodes of Career Conversations from SFU Career and Volunteer Services are released every Tuesday on the OLC. Tune in see your most burning questions about the world of work, volunteering, and career exploration answered by guests from diverse professional backgrounds and organizations across Canada.

Episode 3 features Kristina Lee, Director of the IT Division at Impact Recruitment. You don't want to miss her expert tips for job searching during the pandemic and how you can best show off your soft skills to employers.

Watch

NEW POST

Activism Burnout: An Interview with Registered Clinical Counsellors

In light of the increased visibility of injustices around the world, taking a stand and contributing to social justice is becoming more prominent in our everyday lives. As you learn and advocate about different injustices, you may experience activism burnout with added stressors such as balancing work, personal life, school, and extracurricular activities. SFU Health Peers interview Counsellors at Health and Counselling Services for advice.

Read

NEW POST

Why You Should Consider Submitting an SFU Story to the OLC

SFU Stories on the OLC are short-form, Instagram-style, narrative stories that help to build a welcoming SFU community. No matter how big or small, every story has something to offer. Share your story today!

Read

NEW POST

I’m Starting a Minor Late Into My Degree... Now What?

One of our OLC team members, Brianna Tsang, shares her experience of deciding her minor in her 3rd year at SFU. "The knowledge and genuine connections made throughout this process has been an amazing experience and opportunity to have."

Read

NEW POST

Social Media Addiction & Screen Fatigue: A Survival Guide for Jobs in Social Media

When it comes to social media and digital marketing positions, it’s easy to be blinded by the positives. After all, many Communication majors are fascinated by digital marketing and algorithms— and if you’re a digital native, creating social media content might already be second nature to you. Whether you manage social media for your organization or create external content, there are a few bonuses to consider.

Read

NEW STUDENT PODCAST

On the Spot with the OLC

The OLC team is extremely excited to introduce a brand new podcast titled On the Spot with the OLC. Your hosts, Mehtaab and Terae, discuss important topics revolving around community, engagement, education and overall life advice! Within these 12 episodes, your hosts aim to bring a well rounded perspective to a variety of topics as they believe they can provide insightful knowledge about what it's like to be an SFU student. Please make sure to have a listen!

Listen to Episode 1: Creating Community at SFU

NEW PODCAST ON THE OLC

StudioBytes

Welcome to Studio Bytes! A podcast inspired by the energy of the SIAT Studios and the memories students make in those spaces. This podcast invites Alumni back into the studio and we get to learn about their experiences at SIAT and their lives after. In Episode 2 meet SFU Alumni Marie Cheung who shares her experience at SFU, her life post SFU and her time in Europe

Listen to Episode 2: What is Service Design?

Login to Provide your Feedback!

Did you know that each landing page on the site has a feedback section for logged in users? We use this information to discover and fix issues, consider site improvements and addition of new features. Our tech team is focused on feature improvements this summer, so share your input to direct changes to the OLC.

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ABOUT

Our Learning Community

SFU's Our Learning Community has an incredible range of content created by and for the SFU community. This includes diverse and authentic stories, which show a range of inspirational knowledge sharing happening between students, as well as handy tools that help with learning anywhere and everywhere you are.
 
Discover how you can contribute to our ever-expanding learning community.

 

CONTRIBUTE
11267
Members Joined

 

2227
231
Projects Created

 

92
Series Compiled

 

EXPLORE

Recognizing that our SFU community members are versatile storytellers, the new OLC has expanded how you can tell your story. Come take a look by exploring into this brand new range of content curated by our editors; this includes Blogs, SFU Stories, Videos, and Podcasts. And remember, no matter where you are in your learning journey at SFU, we want to hear your story! Learn more on how you can contribute to the OLC.

 

 

EXPLORE
A woman standing with a cardboard box on her head
Blog
How to Navigate Student Mindset Traps

When students enter their first or second Co-op work term, there can be a risk of falling into student mindset traps. These are the habits we pick up as students that are detrimental to our professional performance and development. Read on to learn more about how Bowen learned to avoid student mindset traps after four Co-op semesters working for three different companies.

A picture of Aslam sitting in front of a window.
Podcast
Building Community
a phone screen showcasing Amazon stocks rising
Blog
Get Your Side Hustle On: A Student's Guide to Part-Time Work

As she puts it, grad student Srijani Datta has been a student for most of her life. To support her love of academia she has worked as a reporter, tutor, translator, transcriber, and content writer. Develop your own side-hustle with her tips. 

READ

LEARN

SHARE

CONTRIBUTE

Videos

Read

Learn

Share

Contribute

There is so much to explore on the new OLC!

So, browse around and have fun with the new learning and storytelling tools. Found something not working?

EXPLORE

Recognizing that our SFU community members are versatile storytellers, the new OLC has expanded how you can tell your story. Come take a look by exploring this wider range of content including Blogs, SFU Stories, Videos, Experiential Learning Experiences, and Podcasts. And remember, no matter where you are in your learning journey at SFU, we want to hear your story! Learn more on how you can contribute to the OLC.

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THE LATEST

Catch up on the latest and freshest content from the SFU OLC. You're bound to find a fresh new perspective, the most current advice, and recently published stories that are sure to inspire you.

 

 

THE LATEST
Brittany and her co-workers
Blog
Tips for Non-Technical Students Working in a Technical Company

With the rise of the digital age, the tech industry has become the hub of all industries. As these companies become more popular, you will want these tips to succeed if you're a non-technical students looking to work in a technical company

three sfu students laughing with each other
Blog
Four Non-CMNS Courses That Have Contributed to My Co-op Success

Think WQB requirements aren't relevant to your field of study? Think again! Kar Hing shares four non-communications courses that helped her succeed on her Co-op work term.

Mark smiling for the camera in a metropolitan area
Blog
Why Co-op Makes a Difference: Instead of Chasing, I’m Being Chased

Have you ever wondered if extending graduation to take part in co-op is really worth it? Find out by checking out Mark's final co-op reflection as he looks back on four co-op terms. 

Young woman standing in front of the the SFU track and football field
Blog
We Belong to a Caring Institution

Have you ever wondered how university contributes to your mental health? In this article, Makshada shares what she learned about SFU's actions to promote mental health and student well-being during her Co-op term with SFU Health Promotion.

the author with his team at CDRD
Blog
Find your Voice: Insights into Designing your Co-op

Every experience provides the opportunity to go above and beyond. Here, Beedie Business student Jared Chiu shares how he seized the opportunity to grow his role, and how you can too. 

Defne smiling
Blog
8 Reasons Why 8 is Better than 4

Beginning your journey with SFU Co-op can seem daunting at first, especially if you start with an 8-month Co-op but don't be afraid of it! Check out these benefits you'll get from doing an 8-month Co-op rather than 4-months. 

Ali and her team on the soccer field
Blog
How I Ended Up Working for the BC Lions

Beedie Business student, Ali Najaf shares his extraordinary journey from not knowing anything about the Canadian Football League to working with one of their best teams - The BC Lions.

Christy at the balcony looking over the city at the TELUS location
Blog
More Than Just Marketing: Pursuing my Passion at Telus

Don’t limit yourself and be active in asking to take on projects beyond the job description. Here are some insights from Christy’s co-op at TELUS.

the author in his office
Blog
Rocking At Work Without Hitting Rock Bottom

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed in a new workplace. School of Interactive Art and Technology student, Jimmy Phung shares his tips for rocking at work, without hitting rock bottom.

poster calling out justice for Colten and Tina
Blog
We Deserve More

We deserve more and so do our Indigenous youth. The justification of our suffering needs to stop.

Joselyn smiling at the camera against a dark background
Blog
Your Co-op Journey Starts at the End of Your Comfort Zone

An incredible co-op term with Goldcorp taught Joselyn Hernandez to be open minded when searching for co-op opportunities. You never know which organization, industry or position you might end up liking until you try. 

Fahad and his colleague talking about design on a whiteboard
Blog
Life of a Design Student: Reflections and Learning

Interactive Arts & Technology student, Fahad Hasany shares how co-op taught him to be confident learning the tools of the trade with the City of Surrey. 

word "no" painted on red background
Blog
It’s Okay to Say “No”

Frankly, I am terrible at saying “no.” Maybe it’s a strong work ethic that has been etched into my existence since I was a child. Maybe it’s not wanting to appear incompetent to the people who could potentially hire me back into a full-time role. Whatever it was, it seemed like my plate was packed to the brim 

pond with blooming lotus
Blog
From Small Pond to Big Pond

Each semester, thousands of students transfer to SFU from colleges and universities across the Lower Mainland. Communication student Alex Caw reflects on his experience learning to navigate bigger classes and a bigger campus, as well as his advice for prospective students thinking of making the leap.  

a yellow smiling face figure in a dark room
Blog
Staying Optimistic Through the Unexpected

Bouncing back from hurdles and setbacks is an important part of career building. Environmental Science student, Ria Yao shares how she developed resilience and patience in the face of rejection.

flowers on a balcony with the view of the city in hongkong
Blog
Postcards from Hong Kong: Culture and Commerce

Derek Woo travelled to Hong Kong for his co-op with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. To keep in touch, he sent postcards home, sharing each leg of his journey as he traversed one of the world's most bustling cities. 

a macbook showcasing UI Design
Blog
Usable Usability: Is Your UX Research Impacting the Product Design Cycle in a Good Way?

Are you an aspiring UX Researcher? Fourth-year SIAT student and UX Researcher at Samsung, Alireza Mogharrab, shares key tips for creating effective usability studies. 

A hand working on a UX wireframe
Blog
Want to Work in Design? Here are Five Things to Consider Before you do

For a lot of us who are natural creatives, what more of a dream would it be to do what we love? Working in design might seem like the best of both worlds, but the reality of combining work and play isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

Fort Langley Landscape
Blog
A Survival Guide to Living in the 1800s

Surviving in a trading fort in the wild west now known as British Columbia was tough in the 1800s. A time when 9 out of 10 of your meals would have been salmon and potatoes and grocery shopping would mean bringing a musket into the woods. Alexis, shares what she learned about surviving the 1800s. 

Mi Zhou
Blog
Four Tips for Dealing with Stress in the Workplace

It is easy to become stressed in an unfamiliar and fast-pace working environment, no matter which field you are in, but good strategies can help you reduce stress and learn to work more efficiently. Mi Zhou shares her tips from her co-op with OSI Maritime Systems.

the author against an SFU backdrop
Blog
Step by Step: Building Job Experience as an International Student

It isn’t always easy to get your first local job as an international student. However, there may be some short-cuts that you didn’t know about. Siyu Liu, a fourth-year business student, has  advice for fellow international students on how to build local work experience

girl with headphones on in radio station
Blog
Working for the CBC, My Favourite Moments, and Some Tips for Aspiring Journalists

From a young age, Ashley Fraser loved telling stories.  While studying communications at SFU she began to realise that journalism might be her future career and the CBC Peter Gzwoski internship opportunity was the perfect way to get her start. 

People sitting in fold out chairs arranged in a large circle having a discussion
Blog
Wandering Through the Ridiculous Darkness

What one fourth-year student discovered while wandering through the Ridiculous Darkness, searching for the right path in life, theatre, and the pursuit of happiness.

Workplace
Blog
Stress in Workplace? Tips for Reducing it

It is easy to become stressed in an unfamiliar and fast-pace working environment, no matter which field you are in. Good strategies not only help you reduce your uncomfortable feeling, but also lead you to learn faster and work efficiently. I spent one year in OSI Maritime Systems as a mechanical engineering co-op student, and I have concluded 4 tips that are essential for anyone who struggling with stress at work!

Raman
Blog
Do You Fear Working in Software?

I used to be afraid of applying for software related co-ops, let alone working in software development/testing environments. In this article, I am going over my journey about how I overcame that fear and got into a software co-op.

4 alumnus
Blog
Advice from Communication Co-op Alumni

A panel of alumni visited the CMNS 110 class recently to share their insights and advice. Ranging from a variety of industries – health, government, public relations, broadcasting, tech and education

The author stepping off a helicopter
Blog
76th Parallel North: An Incredible Summer with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Join Yee Ting on an adventure into the wilderness as they take us on an armchair journey into working with the INAC’s Resource and Land Management team. Read on to find out what Yee Ting's co-op position entails and how they gained real life experience in the field. 

Parliment Building Victoria
Blog
Pursuing Public Service: My Co-op Experience as an Employment Standards Officer

Criminology student, Tylor Mason, enjoyed his co-op with British Columbia's Employment Standards Branch so much that a four-month placement quickly turned into one year. Find out why, here. 

Comic of preparing for Co-op
Blog
Comic Guide: 5 Tips to Prepare for Co-op

Embarking on your first Co-op placement? Thinking of applying to the Co-op program? In this comic guide, Linnea offers five tips that will give you a fresh outlook on how to update your resume, build up the confidence to go on interviews, and set yourself up for success. You’ve got this! 

a girl working on her ipad
Blog
Are You Putting Your Best Foot Forward or in Your Mouth?

If an employer you applied to never gets back to you, it’s easy to get down on yourself. We’ve all been there. Learn from my failures to put your best foot forward when applying for jobs. 

Two people holding the number 1
Blog
Create Your Own Opportunities at Work

Communications is a vast field with its own unique challenges. It is not only about writing articles or handling social media, but usually requires you to juggle wearing various hats. To make a lasting impression in communications, you must of course fulfill the described job duties, but knowing how to hone your strengths in a Co-op is the cherry on top. 

the streets of Ottawa
Blog
From West to East: Why Students Must Push Their Boundaries

When opportunities in Vancouver were slim, I took the chance of embracing an experience on the other side of Canada, and in the process gained experience, networks, and memories that defined my final summer of university.

portrait of the author laughing
Blog
“No Mom, I Am Not Wasting My Time!”

Read Lauren's story about why she decided to take a co-op position that is not directly related to her field of study and the benefits that came with it.  

the author conducting a water sampling in Katzie Slough, holding a sample bottle and smiling at the camera
Blog
Who, What, Where, When and Why? Working for a Non-Profit

To anyone out there considering working for a not-for-profit organization, I want to share the lessons I learned at Watershed Watch with you.