Skip to main content
Communication, Art + Technology

empty
Three people behind a desk writing notes next to a Life Sciences BC billboard
Developing skills is an important part of Co-op, but making an impact that aligns with your values makes the experience so much more rewarding.

Your Co-op seeking term is full of opportunities. But without an idea of what you’re looking for, it can be overwhelming. As a newcomer to the communications field, I spent my first seeking term sifting through job after job like a deer in headlights, not knowing what to look for and where to look for it.

Looking back at four fruitful months as a Communications Specialist at Life Sciences BC (LSBC), I’ve realized the importance of personal values in finding a position. In future seeking terms, the first thing I’ll consider in an employer is their mission statement. This will not only cut out time and uncertainty, but lead me to a role where I can feel good about the work I’m doing.

Values are non-negotiable

LSBC is a non-government, non-profit industry organization that supports and represents the life sciences community of BC. Being able to personally get on board with LSBC’s mission to build up a provincial ecosystem where life sciences and health technology organizations thrive was crucial to my experience

An organization’s values are the pillars of any communications strategy. A successful communications strategy should always be driven by the vision and mission of the organization, and their values should be embedded in all their messaging. As a communications specialist, you cannot negotiate the values of the organization you are representing– and you shouldn't have to negotiate yours either.

First lines speak volumes

What stood out to me about the position was how easy it was for me to write the opening line of my cover letter. Though I entered the position knowing little about BC’s life sciences sector, my first thought was how grateful I was to be vaccinated against COVID, and how this brought me and my loved ones safety during the pandemic. I wrote about this in the opening line of my cover letter.

Writing the first line of a cover letter is arguably the hardest part of a job application. I was advised to write the body first and the introduction last, and while this can be a good way to overcome writer’s block, I don’t think this is the best approach. Pushing myself to write about my personal connection to an employer’s values will show me what jobs are worth applying for and will save you a lot of time in the long run.

LSBC’s values kept me motivated

After I accepted the job, the learning curve was steep and so was the buildup of my passion for LSBC’s mission. I had the opportunity to attend webinars, dig deep into LSBC’s magazine archives, and immerse myself in the online community of life sciences in BC.

One of my responsibilities was social listening for news for our website and newsletter. It was through this that I discovered the vast array of research and innovation that was accelerating in the community. BC is home to the fastest growing life sciences ecosystem in Canada. Being able to witness and celebrate our members’ success and the cohesive optimism that our community possesses for overcoming the world’s health problems and achieving a healthier world was inspiring.

If I was not excited by success in the sector, I don’t think my experience would have been nearly as rewarding as it was. LSBC’s values gave me a sense of purpose, encouraging me to think creatively to reach wider audiences and build community in our sector. Developing skills is an important part of Co-op, but making an impact that aligns with your values makes the experience so much more rewarding.

Posts by Author

Headshot of Janvi
Blog
How To Land Your First Co-op

Knowing what I wanted to specialize in allowed me to start making plans for my first Co-op term. In all honesty, getting your first Co-op term can be exciting and intimidating. However, with a little planning and effort, you can position yourself for success.

A pen over a paper with the Fraser Institute logo
Blog
Employer Feature: An Interview With The Fraser Institute's Senior Manager, Development Events

Meet Danielle Fleck, the Senior Manager of Development Events at Fraser Institute. In this quick Q&A, Danielle discusses the benefits of having an intern at the organization, the growth of the interns they hired and how the organization made the interns feel comfortable in their position.

Laptop on a desk next to a plant
Blog
Learning on the Job without an Expert to Guide You

I was the only communication person in my department; there were no experienced communicators to work closely with and learn from. I thought this situation would limit my room to learn, but surprisingly I gained valuable experiences and exercised skills that I didn't expect.

You Might Like These... Co-op Reflections, Professional Development, Career Exploration, Seeking, Work Term Extension

author, courtney, smiling
A Second Term in Government: More of the Same?

Having completed my first work term for Health Canada as a Communications Officer Intern, I was eager to try something new, and the government was not where I believed that was going to happen. That is until I was offered a position at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada...

picture of glichelle pondering a though
Surviving Workplace Politics

Ever been peeved with workplace politics? Have you ever been a victim of office politics? One student shares her experiences from the workplace with tips on how to survive.

 

person with their head in a book
Responsibility and Success

One of the most memorable parts of my time in co-op was the collection of accidents, errors, mistakes, and mix-ups that happened in the course of working in the laboratory.

 

You Might Like These... Research

Nanowires
Silver Nanowires Lead to Publication for Co-op Students

Undergraduate student Tanminder Rai and fellow student Paolo Dantes worked at SFU’s Functional Materials Engineering Lab under the supervision of assistant professor Woo Soo Kim. Read on to find out what this co-op experience was like for them! 

two people talking over zoom with masks on
How to Stay Productive During a Global Pandemic

Nikolina was one of the many co-op students who had to learn how to adjust to new working conditions during COVID-19. In this article, Bikolina shares with us some tips for finding productivity during a global pandemic. 

William
New Opportunities in a Changing Canada

A co-op semester at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) allowed International Studies student, William Reid, to learn more about Canada's relationship with Indigenous people. Read more, here.