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Welcome

These are the stories from those who have been through it all: Co-op, post-graduation life, and internships. Browse through the Job Search topic to learn more about exploring your career options, acing your interviews, and creating stand-out job applications

a guy wearing a black Tesla jacket looking at the Golden Gate bridge
How I Landed a Co-op at Tesla

It is not hard to produce a perfect car. The difficulty lies in manufacturing 100,000 cars exactly alike. Read about the challenges Ryan learned about while working at Tesla, helping to manufacture modern luxury vehicles. 

a man and a woman looking at computer screens in a lab setting
Co-op in Research: The Value of Trying New Things

Of the many career paths to try, research is an opportunity to apply lessons learned in the classroom to the real world. Matthew Malinab shares how a co-op with FAISAL opened his eyes to new career possibilities. 

Parliment HIll (Ottawa)
Experiencing What Life Has to Offer in Ottawa Ontario

Moving away from home and starting a new job is both exciting and scary. This fall, Hannah began her first co-op term in Ottawa. Here she shares the ups and downs and why she would do it again in a heartbeat.

the author smiling against her workplace backdrop
Through the Lens of a Patient: A First-Hand Look into Fraser Health’s Model of Patient Care

Patients across BC should expect to receive excellent care from our health system, and it usually delivers. Rasha Syed shares why the best way to assess the healthcare system is to hear patient experiences. 

image of the author
Lessons from a Co-op Outside of your Field

When Sara began her co-op search she was set on Silicon Valley but soon realized a little local experience was needed. A semester working for International Services for Students at SFU gave her the skills and experience to more confidently pursue her dreams. 

fist bumps between 5 hands
Five Resources to Access When Seeking Your Co-op Job

Searching for and adapting to your first co-op work term can be tough and quite unexpected. Jordan reveals five tested practices for boosting your resume and building confidence. 

a girl and a guy walking side by side downtown Vancouver
Leave University with Years of Relevant Experience: Do 3+ Co-op Work Terms

Getting a great job without experience can be tough. Business Co-op Program Manager, Tanya Behrisch explains how to graduate with not just work experience but more than a year of relevant experience, all while completing your degree. 

a person being interviewed by two interviewers
As a Senior Co-op Student, What Do I Get for My $800 Tuition?

Thinking about joining the co-op program but hesitant at the idea of having to pay tuition?!? Tanya Behrisch explains the costs and benefits of co-op and the advantages of investing in career development while you are a student. 

the author sitting with her friends/colleagues at a table outdoors
The Digital World of Information Management | Part Two

In the last part of this two part series, criminology student Julia Apeles shares her experience working as an Information Managment Specialist with the federal government. 

the author standing in front of the company's location near a park
The Co-op Balancing Act

Hazel Cheung discusses the importance of creating work-life balance and an awesome office culture while on co-op with the RCMP.

the author and her coworkers at the company
Picking a Community Over a 'Workplace'

Shonnah talks about her co-op experience with MTU Maintenance.

Maggie and her colleague Jen posing in front of a television screen at their workplace
Overcoming the Distance: Working with a Remote Team

Maggie Quinn discusses her experience of working with a remote team as a Junior Regional Recruiter with Kal Tire. 

portrait of the author
Is your Employer Doing Enough for the Community?

Are you curious about what impact your employer has on the larger world? Reading about it is not enough! Get up, get out, contribute and see for yourself!

portrait showing Nicole smiling
Why a Co-op Position Downtown Might be for You

Considering a Co-op position in downtown Vancouver? Find out the perks and challenges of working in Vancouver’s bustling business district.

A photo of two women smiling to the camera
Pushing Through Rejections: The Co-op Hunt

Finding a co-op is no easy feat! Read on to see how Emily managed to find hers. 

Pathways
Career Paths Are Never a Straight Line

Follow Sheldon's Co-op journey as a Mechatronic Systems Engineering student and find out what patience, perseverance and sheer tenacity can do to help you land a co-op at Tesla.   

a person's hand typing on the keyboard of a laptop
The Art of Not Losing Hope: Scoring A Co-op Position With The Right Tactics For Your Job Interview

Interviews don't have to be hard if you're prepared. Nelson provides some tips on what how can prepare yourself for an interview and impress your interviewers.

Lauren in a costume
What Co-op has Taught me About Education

As Lauren wraps up her final co-op term, she looks back on her incredible time with Parks Canada and the lessons she's learned during this experience.

Person holding a compass in their hand
One Major and Endless Possibilities: The Wisdom I Learned From My First Co-op

Thinking of changing your career path?  Saniya explains why it's normal for your career path to not be linear and redefines what it will look like for most of us.

Canadian flags strung on a building in Ottawa, Canada
The Importance of Information Management | Part One

What happens when a Criminology student meets the administration. Learn more about Julia’s experience in the world of Information Management as it transitions away from paperwork and towards technology. 

Photo of the author giving a presentation
Creating Value: The Adventures of an IT Co-op Student

As someone who didn’t have a lot of direct experience in a technological setting, providing value to the organization had to come from something much bigger than my direct skill set.

Sandra and her coworkers
Picniic'-ing Through Work: My Co-op Journey

"As it just so happens, I went in blind. I didn’t know what I was up against, and I can’t say I felt particularly ready either, as I had no previous marketing experience." - Sandra talks about her co-op experience with Picniic.

Diana in front of her cubicle
Tips on Coping with a Challenging Co-op Term

"Sometimes, a co-op work term is not exactly what you expect it to be; it happens." But perspective is everything. Read Diana's tips on how to cope with a challenging co-op term. 

Leana Li using a computer with papers on the table
My Love-Hate Relationship with Accounting

"I knew very little about accounting and definitely had no passion for it" - read on to find out how Leana overcame her aversion towards accounting.

Maggie Benston Centre
How I Faced and Overcame My Fears

Relax! Yes, you may have made a mistake, but it is how you handle the consequences that count. Carina talks about how she made mistakes, faced her fears and learned from them.

Picture of an interviewer and interviewee
6 Interview Tips from the Other Side of the Table: an Interviewer’s Perspective

Ever wonder how interviewers feel on the other side of the table? SFU Career & Volunteer Services’ very own superstar Career Peer, Scarlett Wu, shares her perspective on interviews and offers ideas on how to ace your own.

People posing in front of the SAP compant logo
Boy Meets World: Tripping and Falling into the Tech Industry

Deciding whether to do Co-op or not?  Braedon shares his experience with Co-op and how it can give you a competitive edge.