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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

 

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Join our team

The OLC is looking for volunteers for various positions that have a range of time commitments including content creators, editors, UI/UX developers, and website testers. Positions are open for all students hoping to gain valuable experience in writing, website development and management, task and time management, collaboration, communication, and more. There is no deadline to apply as we recruit year-round!

APPLY

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.

LOGIN

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
11360
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 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. 

A person flexing
Blog
Just Like Bunko: Learning Strengths

Everyone has weaknesses. But its focusing on your strengths that grant you success in life.

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.

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
Landscape image of SFU Burnaby Campus and the Academic Quadrangle
Blog
What is It Like to Work at Your Own School?

A lot of Oliver's friends and classmates would talk about wanting to travel away and work in new and novel places. Oliver didn't feel the same way. In this blog post, he shares his reasoning for staying at SFU and why he always wanted to work where he studied.

Woman working on whiteboard
Blog
Whiteboard Interviews

Whiteboard interviews can be nerve wracking if you aren't well-prepared to communicate and present yourself in a confident way. Check out this edition of Interview Types to learn more about how you can set yourself up for success in a whiteboard interview.

Christina and her coworkers enjoying a company lunch around a communal table
Blog
Breaking Through Preconceived Assumptions

Deciding which Co-op opportunity to select can be challenging when there’s so many possibilities with different industries. Christina shares what it's like to work in an unexpecting industry and how she learned to pick up new experiences while learning on the job and integrating herself within the workplace.  

Image of Sarah Kim standing in front of a mural
Blog
Practicing Resilience During the Pandemic

Sarah, the only design and marketing coordinator at her workplace, found herself in a tough spot when she had to shift to working from home. Here's what she learned on her journey to becoming resilient and adaptable while transitioning. 

A microphone sits on a table between two women having a conversation
Blog
What to Expect while Seeking your First Co-op: An Interview with 3 Co-op Students

Saraan interviews Co-op students, So Hyun Park, Roop Gill, and Haoyang Zhang about what it was like applying and seeking for their first co-op work term. They share the challenges they faced during their seeking semesters and their advice for other fellow students who are pursuing their first co-ops. 

a person on their laptop
Blog
The Art of Managing Multiple Roles in One Co-op Term

The field of communications is very broad, and as a result, you may be asked to manage multiple roles in your Co-op position. In this article Abhinav will take you through the lessons he has learned and his greatest tips for managing a multifaceted position.

Woman typing on a laptop with a notebook and phone next to her on a table
Blog
Adapting in Times of Uncertainty – The Secret to Controlling the Things We Can’t Control

Holly thought she knew what was in store for her as she started her second semester work term with the First Nations Health Authority. What she wasn't quite expecting was the abrupt shift to remote working halfway through. Check out Holly's secret tip she discovered about controlling unsteady circumstances. 

Yin Teng Ho and her coworkers posing for a team photo
Blog
A Day in My Life Working from Home

Yin Teng Ho shares what a typical day in the life looks like as a coop student working in the Information Technical Solutions department at home. She gives a brief overview of what her day looks like now since starting remote working, some of the challenges she personally faced, and how she is dealing with them.

Coworkers
Blog
From Dishwashing to Project Management – Why I Did Five Co-op Work Terms

In his first job, Graham worked as a dishwasher. Now, he just completed his fifth co-op work term as a Project Coordinator for Translation at SAP. Graham describes what his co-op journey has been and what he's learned along the way.

desk with laptop and cup
Blog
Tips on Surviving Your Co-op Work Term

Embarking on 8 month work term with Fraser Health, Karman came across valuable life lessons from working as a HR Representative. Read on to learn more about what you should keep in mind when settling into your new workplace environment.

Rochelle presenting at the podium with a huge projector screen behind her
Blog
The Journey to Establishing a Non-Profit Organization with eCoop

Rochelle describes what her journey has been as a startup founder for the non-profit organization, SPARK Foundation. Check out what she has to say about where the origins of the social enterprise came from and where they are headed in the future.

Landscape image of an Indian fort with a road l
Blog
"Why Would Ever You Choose to Work in India?”

Despite the warnings and worries of her friends and family, Serena set off on an adventure, accepting a co-op position on the other side of the world, in India, and she has no regrets. Sometimes in order to grow we need to challenge ourselves, and Serena did just that.

The author's headshot
Blog
Working in the Corporate World as an International Student

Still not sure if co-op is for you? Chetachi explains why co-op was such a valuable experience for her and what it was like to work in the corporate world during her Economics co-op work term.

Close up of Linh's side profile while she is sitting in a field, looking into a distance
Blog
Making The Best Out Of Your Work-From-Home Experience

Going into a co-op term, every co-op student aims to utilize this opportunity to learn and gain real work experience. However, amid the coronavirus pandemic, many businesses’ working schedules have been affected. As a result, co-op students are challenged with the transition to working from home which affects both productivity and personal well-being and consequently the overall work experience. Linh Tran, a business co-op student, shares her experience on how to overcome this challenge.

Rita and her friends standing in front of the Museum
Blog
Museums and Archives at the Grassroots

Ever wondered what’s on the other side of a museum? Take a “behind the scenes” look at working in collections and archives through Rita's co-op reflection. She discusses how the field is being transformed through engaging directly with local histories, and what it means for an institution to be run by a community that seeks to tell its own story. 

Dinning area next to open windows with a harp in the back corner of the room; shelves lined against the back wall
Blog
How I Survived Working from Home

Do you dread the thought of working from home or feel like sitting at your computer all day has left you with no energy for anything else? Read how Oderah learned how to survive when her home suddenly became her workplace.

Zahid and coworkers standing in front of white board
Blog
My Summer at Technical Safety BC

Zahid shares what it takes to work for an government-adjacent organization and how his academic experience as a Masters of Public Policy student helped him out last summer.

Advisor helping student
Blog
From Advising in Person to Advising at Home – My First Co-op Work Term

JenJen was not quite expecting to be advising fellow SFU students as a Student Academic Advisor from the comfort of her home as her very first co-op experience. Read on to learn more on how she found her stride in getting used to a new work environment as a new co-op student in unusual circumstances.

the author looking at her laptop in a fashion store
Blog
Taking on the Fashion Industry as a Co-op Student

Movies like “The Devil Wears Prada” make the fashion industry seem extremely cool and unreachable for the everyday student to work in, but positions are out there for students to grab up. In this article Haoyang will take us through her experience working in the fashion industry and give her biggest takeaways from working with a high fashion, conceptual brand, Leisure Centre.

Claire and her students
Blog
Heat in Catalonia: Lessons from International Co-op

A student desperately wanting to have class outside suggested we put the decision to a vote. An overwhelming amount of hands went up for having class in the sun and I paused to think about how I could adjust my lesson plan without a chalkboard. The students saw my hesitation and said, “but Claire, don’t you believe in our right to have a democracy?”. This was when I knew I would learn a lot more than just how to teach, from my international co-op term in Catalonia.

high rises against the sky
Blog
Five Differences Between Non-Profit and For-Profit Communication Work Terms

What does it mean to work at a Non-Profit versus For-Profit company? What setting would you enjoy most? In this article, Quentin will explain the differences between the two in culture, work environment, and expectations, based on his own experience working in varied co-op positions.

Toronto skyline with the CN Tower
Blog
New Job, New City, New Adventure

Considering a co-op outside of BC? Jenny shares 4 tips on moving to a new city based on her experience relocating to Ontario’s capital city, the 6ix.

a black cat sitting next to a laptop with the caption that says uhm...excuse me!
Blog
Handling an International Co-op during a Pandemic

Two months into your international co-op placement, a global pandemic hits. What do you do? Read Victoria’s article for tips on keeping a cool head in tough circumstances, and how to make the best of a precarious situation.

a girl sitting on top of a mountain staring into the sunset
Blog
An Internship to Remember…For All the Wrong Reasons

Like many other students, Joane has worked very hard and landed a co-op position that she had wanted. Unfortunately, the internship is not what it seems. Read more to find out how she navigates the arduous journey ahead. 

a girl saluting in front of a statue
Blog
The Role of a Social Media Project Manager

Many of us have heard of a project manager, but few of us know what this role actually entails. In this article, Bethany details what an average day might look like as a project manager, and the many steps it takes to pull a project together.

a dark image of earth with bright spots to represent hotspots
Blog
Exiting my Comfort Zone While Entering a Global Business Team

Creating a comfort zone is a healthy adaptation for much of our lives. But so is stepping out of our comfort zone when it's time to transition, grow, and transform. Anna shares her story and reassures that despite the process being difficult at the beginning, it's worthy of gained skills and self-confidence.

a little note that says "Dear Co-op Students"
Blog
Reflecting on a New Kind of Uncertainty: a Note of Encouragement to Fellow Co-op Students

"Losing your job in a pandemic is of no individual fault. COVID-19 has been one heck of a less-than-gentle reminder that each and every one of us has a stake in what sort of collective future it is that we shape through and after this difficult time. And that is hopeful." - Read Sicellia’s reflection on the situation with our future and the future of a job market affected by the pandemic.

a portrait of Thuy smiling
Blog
Co-op During the Pandemic: Navigating Science and Uncertainty

Read Thuy's story and learn about what you might find yourself doing as a Communication Co-op student working in a STEM organization during the global pandemic.

hand-drawn paper cut hearts strung across the roof of a house
Blog
Working for an Essential Service During a Global Pandemic

"When you work at a non-profit, you will notice one extraordinary and unanimous thing; everyone’s heart is in their work. And during a pandemic, when so many of those we serve are in desperate need, this dedication is clearer than ever." -- Communication Co-op student, Juliette Halliday, highlights working for a non-profit organization as it responds in the face of a pandemic. 

A woman working on her laptop while her dog is sleeping next to her
Blog
Leave Work Where It Belongs

It's hard finding a balance between work and life in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Like many others, Eleanor experienced a shift in her routine, from maintaining a work-life balance to that of an unstructured mess.  However, she also knows it's important to take care of your mental health, especially during this time. Read more to find out some tips Eleanor has been using to ensure her professional and personal life stays distinguished.  

girl at home looking out the window
Blog
4 Things I Learned Working Remotely During a Pandemic

On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. With this news came many unprecedented changes to people’s lives, including their jobs. Janani worked remotely during this time, and had to learn, unlearn, and affirm some things about working during a crisis.

a person climbing up a mountain
Blog
How to Get Back on Your Feet When You Lose Your Job During A Pandemic?

Did you happen to lose your job due to COVID-19? Well, you’re not alone. Here are some tips and resources to help you get back on your feet in no time!

a girl sitting by the window working on her laptop
Blog
Disconnected: Working Remotely from Vietnam

Due to the unprecedented situation surrounding COVID-19, many students are struggling to adapt to their new work environment. Thuy An continues her story of how COVID-19 has impacted her life, and how she adapted to working remotely in another country. Read on to find out more about Thuy An’s remote work journey.  

the author's portrait
Blog
How the Pandemic Turned my Life Upside Down: One Co-op Student’s Story

The impact of the coronavirus has been felt by everyone across the country but how has the experience been for coop students? Thuy An shares her story on how through proactive thinking from loved ones and support from coop coordinators and supervisors, she was able to book a flight home to join her family while making the necessary arrangement to work remotely.

the author working from home
Blog
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.

a quiet street in Toronto
Blog
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone: Working Remotely in a New Job in a New City During COVID-19

After two short months since April first started her co-op position in Toronto, the pandemic hits. She would choose to make the same decision of moving out of town for her co-op term even if she was given a second chance. Read more to find how she transitions to remote working, and what lessons she gains through her experience working from home. 

work station with a guitar and hat stand next to it, pictures hung up on the wall
Blog
My Co-op Experience During an Ongoing Pandemic

This was Ethan's second co-op semester and it started off similar to their first. Little did they know, this work term would be completely different. Having already had experience in an office environment, things went smoothly as Ethan picked up their work tasks in stride. However, the first couple of months on the job flew by compared to what was yet to come. Read on to find out more! 

Man writing notes on paper at a desk with a macbook on the side
Blog
5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Co-op

Thinking about doing a co-op term but not sure how to have a successful experience? Starting a co-op term for the first time can be daunting. Here are a few tips to make the best out of your co-op opportunity.