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Co-operative Education

Take risks, experience your field, bring your learning back to the classroom.

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convocation ceremnony; students are walking down the steps of the AQ on SFU Burnaby Campus led by a bagpiper
David Skerik: A Co-op Student's Success Story

David Skerik's time as an undergraduate political science student could be described as the ultimate balancing act. The end result of achieving this balance was exceptional grades, a busy family life and valuable co-op work term experiences that allowed him to participate in important work for Canada's First Nations communities.

Suzanne smiling at her desk
Suzanne Young: A Co-op Student's Success Story

For Suzanne Young, SFUs Co-op program was an immense part of her undergraduate experience. As a graduate in Linguistics and French, she reflects back on her experiences as a Co-op student.

Image of Heather giving a presentation
Alumni Success Story: Heather Mosher

Heather graduated from SFU in 2001 with a degree in Mathematics, a certificate in Computing Science and a certificate in Liberal Arts. Read on to learn more about the advice Heather gives about making the most of your time at university.

United Kingdom
International Spotlight: United Kingdom!

Meet: The United Kingdom! A popular destination for travel, and in fact, for an International Co-op Experience of a lifetime. Find out why working in the UK has SFU students raving!

Image of a Chinese building
Adventures in China with CIBT

Each semester, the International Co-op office posts a multitude of Co-op jobs for students looking to have a unique, some would say life-changing, experience by going to work outside of Canada. Many of the positions open to students from all faculties are for English instructors. Find out more about Ben's experience teaching English in China...

Tina with 2010 olympic mascots; Sumi, Miga, then Quatchi
Reaching for Gold: Co-op Leads Tina Morabi to Career with VANOC

It is a Co-op student's dream to land a job right after graduation because of their work experience. Better yet, to land that job because you worked for them as a Co-op student. That was the case for Tina Morabi; her co-op job with VANOC landed her a full time position upon graduation.

Three women posing in front of a building called 'Hospice Pre-School'
Life in Botswana: Jumping in With Both Feet

For four months Jessica Kehler traveled across the world to Botswana, working with Holy Cross Hospice, a non-profit organization that uses a holistic approach to treating terminal HIV/AIDS patients. Upon her return, the OLC sat down to learn about a country known for its diamond mining, tourism, and sadly, HIV/AIDS. Read to find out more about her journey!

Jessica Kehler
Life in Botswana: Jumping in With Both Feet

For four months Jessica Kehler traveled across the world to Botswana, working with Holy Cross Hospice, a non-profit organization that uses a holistic approach to treating terminal HIV/AIDS patients. Upon her return, the OLC sat down to learn about a country known for its diamond mining, tourism, and sadly, HIV/AIDS.

R to L: Corinna Bjornson Board President, Dixon Society Nicole Skuce Resource Development Coordinator, Adele Wilson Executive Director, VanCity Representative, accept a $10,000 community action grant from VanCity.
English Alumnus Finds Work in Social Development Through SFU Co-op

Nicole Skuce, Arts and Social Sciences Co-op alumnus, was able to use her networking skills to turn one of her Co-op work terms into a career. Read on to discover how she effectively used her time at SFU as a stepping stone to her current position.

Greece
International Spotlight: Greece!

Greece is considered the Mother of western civilization as well as the birthplace of the Olympic Games, philosophy, democracy and delicious food. It's also a great place to work!

Two people in the bus smiling to the camera
My Co-op Work Term in Gaborone | Part One | Dumela (Hello) Botswana

Health Sciences Co-op student Kaleigh Banister is spending the spring semester in Gabarone on a Co-op work term with the Cancer Association of Botswana. In Part 1 of her series, Kaleigh arrives in Gabarone and begins to adjust to life in the slow lane.

Amy met with this year’s participants from the University of Glasgow, Strathclyde University, Glasgow Caledonian University, Columbia University, SFU, Waterloo, Warsaw University, and Hong Kong University
All About Edge: What Interested Students Need to Know

In mid-June, WIL International Coordinator Amy Lee went to Scotland to help facilitate the opening phase of the Encouraging Dynamic Global Entrepreneurs (EDGE) Program, and offers some advice for students thinking about applying in the future.

London
Minding the Gaps While Working Abroad

'Please mind the gap'. To those who have visited England's transportation system these words of caution are heard throughout the day. But for Co-op alumnus Jeanette LeBlanc, the words took on new meaning while working in London during her year-long adventure.

person sitting beside a gold lamp, writing something down in their journal
What Learning Objectives Can Do For You

A successful Co-op work term can involve many factors, one of which is developing and working towards meeting your learning objectives. Developing a learning objective helps you to think about what you want to accomplish during your upcoming work term and begin developing a plan for how you’ll achieve success.

Matt and his friends in India
From Foreigner to Family: My Co-op Term in India

Matt learned the true meaning of an international experience while working in India with SAP Business Objects. The OLC sat down with Matt upon his return to discover how he went from being an unknown foreigner to part of India's big family during his short stay there.

a bird's eye view shot of a work space between two people facing each other
Informational Interviews

Informational interviews are a great way for you to get an inside look into the day to day functions of a career path you want to pursue and help you to focus your self-directed work search.

a group of people mingling and clinking glasses during an office party
Start Building Your Network

The second article in the “Self-Directed” series explores ways to be resourceful about your job search and begin building your professional network.

Student wearing a headset and sunglasses
Co-op Student Helps to Fight BC Wildfires

Co-op student Isabelle Jacques is spending the summer working as a Fire Information Officer for the Provincial Wildfire Management Branch in Victoria. As a first point of contact for media inquiries, Isabelle has had a busy few days working to inform the public and her colleagues internally on the changing situation with the latest wildfires throughout the province.

a portrait image of a woman smiling and looking into a distance
Self Discovery

In the changing labour market there are increased opportunities for seeking your own Co-op placement through a Self-Directed Work Search. In this 3 steps blog series by our career advisor Heather Williams, learn about how to successfully conduct self-directed work search from self-discovering to landing an informational interview.

Picture of Katelyn smiling
SFU Home to Canada’s Top Co-op Student

SFU Biology and Biochemistry Co-op student Katelyn Mueller was awarded the 2008 National Co-op Student of the Year award from the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education during National Co-op Week, March 23rd - 27th, 2009.

Kaleigh sitting on a cliff staring out to the wilderness
My Co-op Work Term in Gaborone | Part Two

In Part 2 of her series, Health Sciences Co-op student Kaleigh Banister gets into the local Gabarone culture and takes a bit of time to explore the natural wonders she’s surrounded by.

California
International Spotlight: California

Sunny California is not only one of the favorite tourist destinations but also a state with a variety of opportunities.

Iris at her workstation in the lab
Student Spotlight: Iris Eom

The OLC talks to Iris Eom, 3rd year MBB, Computing Science joint major. Keep reading to learn about her experience at the UBC James Hogg iCAPTURE Centre at St. Paul's Hospital.

Cathy, author, smiling view of Ecuador
My Ecuadorian Escapade

"There are few experiences in one’s life that do not just provide you with new skills, but teach you a new way of perceiving the world around you." Cathy Greenway, a student of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, travelled to Ecuador with Ecuaexperience's Help, Learn, Discover program as a Rural Development Volunteer. Read more about her life-changing experience.

Korea
International Spotlight: Korea

Bordered by China, Russia, and separated from Japan by the Korea Strait, Korea makes for a strong international hub of Asia.

Hip protector
A Co-op Experience: A New Journey

So here I am walking you down my co-op path. I don’t know what your background is, what your career goals are, but what I do know is that you should give co-op a chance and explore. You will never know the many opportunities that lay along your undergraduate journey that can be unraveled with a peak into co-op. It’s not too late to enroll in co-op, I wish I had another colleague tell me this!

picture of marlo in a lab, smiling
Student Spotlight: Marlo Shackleford

The 4th and final interview with the MBB co-op students. The OLC talks to Marlo Shackleford, a 4th year MBB student who worked 3 terms over the last year first with Welichm Biotech Inc. and then UBC James Hogg iCAPTURE Centre at St. Paul’s Hospital.

stingray up close
Self-Directed All The Way

 

Jan is in their third year, have completed two work terms, and are beginning to realize that their beliefs back then about what co-op could offer only scratched the surface of what is really available to students. One area about which they were previously unaware, but have now come to take full advantage of, is Self-Directed Placement.

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.

 

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.

 

Co-op coordinator wth student during site visit
Make the Most of Your Co-op Site Visits

Your Co-op Coordinator, supervisor, and you in the same room -- time for a site visit! Co-op site visits are a time for reflection on your work term including what could be improved and what has been great so far.

Mike
Mike, SFU Alumni

"I have no solid plans for the future and I love it...I know that every experience that I have had, every failed plan, was really an excellent mistake that gave me the skills I need to handle any situation that gets thrown my way in the future."

Courtney smiles next to a caption that reads, "Courtney Novotny during her work term with Health Canada".
A Second Term in Government: More of the Same?

How do Communications Co-op jobs differ between federal departments? Read all about Courtney's experiences as she compares her first co-op with Health Canada to her second co-op with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

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...

Co-op students jumping in the air
The Co-op Connection Helps Retention

In this blog post, Heather shares with us why co-op is an important experience for all students, whether it be to further career aspirations or to gain future employment opportunities.