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Scroll through and catch up on the latest 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. Content is created by the SFU community.

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Changing Times: Stories to Inspire Hope and Resilience

 

Kaylla
Staying Productive While Working Remotely for a Health Authority

Working from home is a common reality for many Co-op students in the past year. Working from home while working for a Health Authority in the thick of the pandemic is a tremendous experience Kaylla went through last year. Take a look at how she learned to stay productive in these uncertain times.

The Latest

 

Eddard Stark
Blog
Stubborn or Persistent? A Stark Difference

Like most things, persistence is something of a double-edged sword: it can be either a huge strength when applied in a constructive direction, or an outright flaw when clung to too tightly in situations that call for more flexibility. Like Ned Stark's honour, it can earn you respect and carry you to high places, but it can just as quickly get you into serious trouble.

Two girls looking at a computer together
Blog
Reilika Reminisces

Reilika, the third member of Career Friends, graduated with an Economics and Business degree in Europe. Coming to Canada was a difficult transition; but the Career Friends helped her be focused, develop new skills, and provide a network of support. Read Reilika's story to learn more. 

Isabel with many people in front of a building
Blog
Isabel's Bolivia Adventure: An Irreplaceable International Experience | Part One

Since its launch in 2005, the Students for Development (SFD) program has been supporting Canadian university students' participation in internships in developing countries and emerging economies. Isabel went on the SFD program in Summer 2011 where she worked with ICO (Instituto de Capacitacion del Oriente) in Bolivia.

Deborah
Blog
Making a Difference in Bolivia: Deborah's International Experience

Since its launch in 2005, the Students for Development (SFD) program has been supporting Canadian university students' participation in internships in developing countries and emerging economies. Melanie Woo spoke to Deborah about her SFD experience.

Johnny on the phone
Blog
Feel Limited By Your Major?

How accurate are you in predicting what a person’s career would be based on what they majored in university? Read a list of some of my close friends’ careers.  Can you guess what their university majors were? Take this quiz and match the job title to the university major:

Lazy cat
Blog
Procrastination Problems? Maybe Not...

If you're human, you'll admit to having procrastinated about something. If you're an honest human, you'll admit to having procrastinated about a lot of things. I'll even go out on a limb and say that you've often put some salt in that wound and felt guilty about your procrastination. So what are you going to do about it?

8 studnets standing in a line with their hands in the air celebrating
Blog
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 photo of three people smiling while working with laptops open
Blog
Dream, Dream, Dream...

For some of us, pursuing our dreams might be completely out of our comfort zone.  We’re happy to work in jobs we feel are our “best option” at the time.  The problem with this is that we become complacent and our motivation and passion slowly start to dwindle.

Two women smiling at the camera while they make food
Blog
Lunch Time Bonding

It's been three months since their arrival in India. The girls look back at their initial experiences and how far they have come since then. Martyna shares their interaction with the girls at Destiny Reflection and her thoughts on being surrounded by such powerful women. 

A photo of two women talking while smiling at each other
Blog
Get An Edge In Your Career Through Mentorship

Having someone who is willing to share their experience with you can make a big difference, however cliché that may sound. Despite many obvious benefits, mentorship has been cited as one of the least-utilized tools for advancing one’s career. With that in mind, learn how to form and sustain a meaningful relationship with your potential mentor.

Three students standing in professional attire, side-by-side
Blog
Top Tips: Prepare for your Co-op Work Term

Nervous on starting your first day of work in your new co-op position? You should be! First impressions count. Discover how to prepare for success on your first day of work.

A photo of a pair of hairdressing scissors
Blog
Career Stylists & The Power of Metaphors

It's thought provoking to ask, if you haven't already, "how would I describe what I do if someone asked me to be as succinct as possible?" It wouldn't be succinct at all to describe all the things you do on a daily basis, your responsibilities, your accomplishments, your significance. Nor would it be descriptive enough to only talk about a small subset of those things. So, how can we possibly do this question justice?

A photo of Sigmund Freud
Blog
My Fascination With Sigmund Freud

Of all the posts I’ve written, the one that seems to consistently get the most page views is this one on strengths and weaknesses, Freud, and Alfred Adler. I guess there’s a lot of psychology students out there scouring the web in search of information on how these two prominent historical figures viewed the issue.

Connie and a colleague
Blog
Start Your Career with Co-op

Ever wondered if Co-operative Education is right for you? Are you unsure if it’ll help you find the right job? Having doubts if Co-op can help you with your career path? Well think again!

Connie
Blog
Can’t find a Co-op Job? Create Your Own!

Feeling bummed because you don’t have a Co-op job yet? Nearing the end of the term and you’re still not getting interviews or have been rejected by them? Well don’t give up! You and other Co-op students are sharing that hot seat together, and although you haven’t been placed yet, there is still a solution!

blank notebook with a pen on top
Blog
3 Resources to Ace Your Next Paper

Having trouble researching for your next paper? Here are some tips on how to use the Internet to its fullest to help ace your next essay.

people holding a bc lions flag running across the field
Blog
Life After Co-op: From Footballs to Law

As an SFU Co-op alumni Susan Seto is one of the many success stories of the the program. Since graduating in 2008 her co-op experience has shaped her career and changed her life.

Image of Yat with other students at SFU
Blog
Leaving an Imprint

During the past five years at SFU, Yat has been asked multiple times: what do you want to become after you graduate? Every time, he would hesitate before answering. He didn’t have an exact position he wanted to be in, nor did he know whether he would have the skills for whatever that ended up being. Hence, his typical answer: “I don’t know.” To many, uncertainty is uncomfortable. Read more to learn how Yat overcame uncertainty, and left an imprint. 

Canucks Team
Blog
An Intern's Perspective

Marla Liguori is a Communications co-op student at SFU, and for her first Co-op experience she was able to spend the 2010-2011 season with the Vancouver Canucks as a marketing intern. She shared with us what she’s learned and why she thinks the Co-op program is a stellar addition to any degree.

India
Blog
International Spotlight: India!

With a splash of colors embedded in a fervent and deep culture, where history seems to have no beginning and end, India nurtures her inhabitants. Tradition of tolerance and the togetherness/fusion seen in the family and racial harmony, add to the vitality and variety of Indian life and fundamental values inspire each generation. Read on to set the wheels in motion for your international experience in India!

A photo of four people smiling
Blog
Four Tips For A Successful Co-op Experience

Co-operative Education can be an excellent way of enriching your academic experience and narrowing down your potential career options. Employers increasingly cite real-life or internship experience as one of the most desirable qualities in applicants.

A photo of money on fire
Blog
Money Makes You Less Motivated

Money is a terrible motivator. If I were to say to you, “Reader, I’d like you to come up with a creative way of solving this problem we have,” or “I’d like you to complete this complex task requiring somewhat sophisticated cognitive abilities,” you’d actually perform worse if I offered you a nice chunk of change as a reward.

Picture of Michelle Molas, a recent graduate from the Philippines who shares her story in this blog post.
Blog
Discover Your Passion with AIESEC!

“After I graduated, I was unsure of which career path to take. Through working with Career Services, I’ve found that Project Management and Event Planning is something I really enjoy doing.”

A large group of people walking towards the Golden Temple situated on a lake
Blog
From Amritsar to Sonagachi

Have a sneak peak at the girls' quick getaway visit to Freeset, an organisation similar to Destiny Reflection, located in Kolkata's red-light district. While they were there, they managed to visit some wonderful sites such as the Taj Mahal and the Golden Temple. 

an SFU student presenting
Blog
Why Portfolio? Inside a Portfolio Workshop

Many students struggle to figure out the best way to put a portfolio together. They commonly ask: “Which projects do I put in a portfolio?” or “I don’t know how to do HTML or CSS, how can I make an online portfolio?”

Canucks team photo
Blog
Giving Back

The Vancouver Canucks are well known for their community involvement, and every semester they hire two interns to work with the community relations team. Michelle Muravi was one of these lucky picks last season and she shared with us what it’s like to work behind the scenes in the latest instalment of the We Are All Canucks series.

Cartoon drawing of a student sitting at a computer with a sad expression and the word "fail" on their computer screen.
Blog
Getting Over “Post-Midterm Heartache”

Hallelujah — midterms are finally coming to a close! Perhaps you breezed through your exams like a swan gliding through water, declaring “Einstein” to be your middle name. But if you’re like the rest of us ‘poor unfortunate souls’, your exam experience resembles more of a paper plane ramming into a wall and crumpling sadly to the ground.

Elena Barbir posing with a friend at a soccer game
Blog
RISE to the Occasion

We highlight the experience of Elena Barbir, Chemical Physics major, in the RISE program which has sent her to Germany. RISE is a dynamic summer program that offers undergraduate students from Canada, USA and the UK in an opportunity to receive work experience in research labs for a period of three months.

Poster with a list of services provided: CT Scan, Digital X-Ray, Ultrasound
Blog
SFU IS AWESOME!

As the girls further their learning experience in Kolkata, they come across new findings and lessons everyday - either from each other or from their new surroundings. In this entry, Christine shares her thoughts on a Gender and Health seminar the group participated in and how that has helped her develop a better understanding of Indian culture. 

Table and chairs lined up in a classroom with classroom paraphernalia on the tables
Blog
The Archana School for Girls

Martyna, Lindsay, Christine and Silvia share their visit to the Archana School for girls and what they have learned from this invaluable experience. 

student smiling during an interview
Blog
How to Act Confident in a Job Interview

Your palms sweat, your head's buzzing, and you've got those butterflies in your stomach. Sound familiar? You've been struck with a case of interview anxiety. But have no fear as these tips will help you make your interview slide!

Group of people gathering around a table, looking at a document together.
Blog
Details Matter – In Defence of Grammar Police

Grammar police can be annoying. Infuriating, even. Yet, I can’t help but feel a small triumph whenever someone exposes themselves as actually caring about proper spelling and grammar.

Guy wearing his graduation gown, standing at the edge of a cliff overlooking the city
Blog
Justin's Journey

After Justin and Samantha decided to create Career Friends, the rest was history. They have kept each other on track while job-hunting post graduation. Read Justin's story about his experiences after graduating in 2002, and how he overcame the challenges of finding full-time employment.

Head of the BC Public Service Don Wright welcomes everyone to the public service oath renewal ceremony
Blog
Student Interview Tips from the BC Public Service

The BC Public Service is hiring! If youre considering applying for a position with the BC Public Service or have an upcoming interview with them, read on to learn about their interview tips and strategies.

Two women looking at an application
Blog
The Value of a Practice Interview

The interview process can be a very intimidating and overwhelming process for many job applicants. The stress of being in the hot seat can make even the most composed interviewee melt under the pressure. Interview anxiety can be tamed and even prepared for with the help of an understanding and insightful SFU Student Advisor...

two people shaking hands
Blog
Preparation = Successful Interview!

There are many factors that make a successful interview, but by far the most important is preparation. It seems simple, but it's not necessarily easy. Preparation is not only being able to answer the standard questions, but also being able to convey  how outstanding you would be in the organization.

Picture of Adam Kingsmith, an SFU student interviewed by the author about his internship in El Salvador.
Blog
Make a Difference with AIESEC!

Everyday, the media informs us of new global issues arising in different parts of the world. We think about how troubling the situation is for a little while and then go on with the rest of our day. In most cases, this is where the story ends.

Silvia, Lindsay, Christine and Martyna smiling at the camera with their co-worker, Diya
Blog
SFU Health Sciences Takes India!: Introductions

Meet the girls! Martyna, Silvia, Lindsay and Christine introduce themselves here by telling us about their hobbies, their likes and dislikes and what they love about India so far. Get to know them and follow them on an arm chair journey around India! 

flower petals
Blog
Picking Your References

The references you choose ensure your work history comes up smelling like roses and is crucial to obtaining a job offer.  Do they love you, or do they love you not?  Learn how to pick your references and stop plucking the petals.

Dog standing next to basket with ducks in it
Blog
Misconceived Perceptions About India

We all have our own sets of biases and preconceived notions, but unless we experience things first hand, they are merely based on conjecture and not facts. Martyna is here to break down some common misconceived perceptions about India by providing a comparison between horror stories she's heard from friends before leaving and the true reality of living in India. 

Picture of a building with a fence known as Cherington Place, a nursing home located in Surrey, British Columbia.
Blog
My Experience Volunteering at the Nursing Home

Several days ago, I was able to visit Cherington Place with my friends, a nursing home located in Surrey.  Our task was to keep the elderly company, so we made them cards and cookies, and prepared performances to keep them entertained (offering our time, treasures, and talent).

Kwon
Blog
Simon Kwok: Working at RIM

From working at RIM (Research In Motion) for a year before graduating, SIAT convocation speaker Simon Kwok shares the bits and bytes of his Co-op work experience as an interaction designer in Toronto.

Handmade clothing
Blog
A Little More About Destiny Reflection

Looking to find out more about Destiny Reflection and all the opportunities they have to offer? Here are some details on who the foundation is, how they came about and what their plans are for the future. Come take a peak! 

Children sitting on a fully decorated float
Blog
The Liminal Moment: Our Arrival to India

This is where it all begins. Four SFU Health Sciences Co-op students share their incredible journey to India as they land in Mumbai, one of India's largest cities. Along with some new friends, Lindsay, Martyna, Silvia and Christine take a quick tour of Mumbai before heading off to Kolkata.

slanted tree
Blog
How to Bask in the Sunlight of Your Career

"So, if I don’t have a plan, do I just sit around and wait for stuff to happen?” You might ask. “How am I supposed to know what to do if I don’t know where I’m going?” Is another one I sense a lot of in my work with students.

a man holding a phone with Google+ displayed on screen
Blog
Using Google + for Your Job Search

Google+ is the latest and largest social media platform trying to compete with Facebook and Twitter. So is learning the ropes of another platform worth the effort?

A man working on his laptop
Blog
On Moustaches & Professionalism

Heard of Movember? It’s a fundraising movement for prostate cancer research in which men (mo bros) and women (mo sistas) alike dedicate the month of November to growing a moustache. In other words, it’s pretty much the best thing ever.

A couple of people gathering around a resume
Blog
The Cure to the Common Resume

Have trouble writing a resume to land that dream job? Never fear the OLC is here! We've all been there and we have tons of resources to bring your resume from 'meh' to 'wow'!

Graduates standing in line
Blog
The Graduate – Ode to A New Semester

The students gather to and fro
A vibrant quivering mass
Their thoughts are laden, heavy things
Of textbooks, schedules, and a new U-Pass

Prof with students
Blog
Me Student! You Professor!

I don’t much like talking to strangers. I have great conversations in my head with myself, but when it comes to vocalizing my brilliant, eloquent thoughts to other people, I often end up garbling the words into something near unintelligible.

An angry woman screaming
Blog
Getting A Handle On Conflict

There’s no denying it – people see and understand the world differently, and it’s only a matter of time before perspectives clash, right and wrong get mixed up, and feelings get hurt. But it’s pretty clear that different people handle conflict uniquely.

A monk copies a text from a large book on his writing table.
Blog
3 Tips For Your Blog

As this blog’s editor, one of the many joys I get to experience is the annual inundation training of those of our wonderful volunteers who aspire to contribute to the blog. I get to discuss things like “what makes a good blog article” and a few of the basics of good, simple online writing.

People fighting
Blog
Conflict – The Nature of The Beast

Conflict. Why oh why do you plague us so? You are an inevitability – it’s just a matter of time before someone or something disagrees with someone else, and they’re suddenly in a position of deciding between actions towards resolution, mediation, antagonization, or blissful ignorance.

Volunteer!
Blog
Volunteer to Enrich Your Co-op Search

Offering up your time and skills for a cause you believe in can also benefit your career. There is great value in putting yourself out there, to discover what you love doing, or to expand on your skills doing what you love.

picture of a sword
Blog
Building Awareness of Self-Awareness

It was a pretty straightforward account of how knowing what are strengths are can help us to build on and expand those strengths into new areas.  The problem, of course, is that this viewpoint presupposes that you actually do know what your strengths are.

drawing of comfort zone
Blog
Stay In Your Comfort Zone!

We’ve all heard the phrase “comfort zone.”  We’ve probably all been told at one point or another to get outside of it, too. But what exactly does that mean?  We can make all sorts of fancy diagrams and models to illustrate the concept, but does that really do justice to lived experience?