Skip to main content
Beedie School of Business › Marketing
SFU Co-op Student

Elena smiling in her workspace
It took me a while to navigate remote work, but I have been enjoying the time at home with my family and dogs. As much as working remotely isn’t my ideal circumstance, it definitely has its benefits.

A first work term can be an anxiety inducing experience during a “normal” semester, but starting your first job during a global pandemic, where everything takes place online, adds an additional layer of uncertainty. I have experienced unforeseen challenges brought on by COVID- 19 in every step of the process - from finding a job, to beginning my work term, to building a routine to keep me motivated and on track.

My seeking semester began in-person, as a typical semester would. I assumed that I would find a job and begin my summer co-op in-person at the beginning of May. I had a very clear idea of the industry that I wanted to work in, so I was extremely picky with the jobs that I applied for. When the pandemic hit Canada and nearly everything transitioned to be remote, I had applied for 2 jobs and not heard back from either of them. Fewer jobs were posted as I’m sure many companies were trying to navigate what their summer would look like. At the beginning of the semester, I expected to have a job secured by March, but it wasn’t until the end of April that my current employer contacted me for an interview. I had basically ruled- out the chance of interviewing for the job, as I had applied in February. So I was a pleasantly surprised to hear back from them months later.

I was lucky that our office had been sanitized and prepared for socially distanced training by my first day. I got to meet my supervisor, pick up my laptop, and go over enough training to get me started. Since my job is in an industry with very strict regulations, my first two weeks consisted of self-directed training. The organization that I am working for has a platform with training videos and modules for new hires to review, and I anxiously worked through the modules with the other new student.

The first project that I was assigned to was in my third week of work. Although my supervisor made it very clear that she was available for support, I felt bad asking for help. It took me a couple of weeks to feel comfortable reaching out since I had trouble getting to know my supervisor virtually. As she would set up daily calls to go over projects and any questions that I had, this gradually helped us build rapport. 

Elena's dog sitting in their bed

Now that I am two months into my eight-month term, I have settled into a routine. It took me a while to navigate remote work, but I have been enjoying the time at home with my family and dogs. As much as working remotely isn’t my ideal circumstance, it definitely has its benefits.

My Advice for Remote Co-op Students:

1. Don’t Settle for a Job That You’re Not Excited For

Working remotely is hard. Some days, the only thing that keeps me motivated is my excitement for the projects that I am working on. Although your first co-op may not be your dream job, it should be something that you are excited for. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to motivate myself to work 8 hour days in a job that I don’t enjoy, especially when there are so many other distractions at home.

2. Block off “Do Not Disturb” Time in Your Calendar

I have found that my calendar can fill- up quickly with meetings and check-ins. Although the company that I am working for is great at keeping meetings productive, it can be difficult for me to work on projects in half-hour intervals between meetings. It has helped me to block off work time in my calendar every day so that I can dive into projects without being interrupted. I have found a time that works best for me, and I generally won’t check my emails or book meetings during that time. My team knows that they can message me on teams for urgent requests, but emails can sit for an hour or two. This may not work for everyone, but I have found it to be the best way for me to refocus on projects and get stuff done.

Elena's dogs on leashes

3. Set up a Designated Workspace

In the past, I have considered my home a place to relax. I always studied or worked on assignments on campus and reserved my home time as down time. Since working remotely, it has been difficult for me to feel productive at home. The only thing that helped me overcome this was creating a designated workspace away from distractions. It can be easy to migrate to the couch throughout the day, and I have definitely been guilty of starting off my workday in bed, but having a workspace that I treat like an office has helped me stay productive at home.

4. Don’t Limit Social Interactions to Discussions About Work

When you’re not walking by people’s desks every day, it’s easy to lose the social aspect of work. As an extrovert, I have found that I can feel drained after a long week of work with limited social interaction. One thing that has really helped me, is getting to know my co-workers outside of project meetings. It can be difficult to start “water cooler talk” with supervisors or more senior employees, so a great way to start is with other co-op students, or junior employees. If I have a meeting with the other co-op students that runs under-time, we will often take the rest of the scheduled time to chat and get to know each other.

5. Take Breaks Throughout the Day

It’s easy to burn out from sitting alone at a desk all day.From my first day, my supervisor encouraged me to take breaks and get away from screens. I usually take a mid-afternoon break to walk my dogs, which helps me clear my head and refocus to be productive for the remainder of the day

SFU Co-op Student
Elena is a third-year student at the Beedie School of Business, concentrating her studies in Marketing and Strategic Analysis. She is currently in an 8-month co-op position as a Marketing Associate at LifeScan Canada. After graduation, Elena would like to work in healthcare marketing.
visibility  147
Feb 17, 2021

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... Co-op Reflections

A pair of lungs
The Lungpacer Experience

As a co-op student at Lungpacer Medical, Laura has gained invaluable skills through a variety of responsibilities. Read on to find out how this experience has contributed to their learning and personal growth. 

Autumn staring out into the distance, with a view of Peruvian mountains in the background
Scholarly Adventures in Peru

Q  & A's with Autumn Mochinski, a student who participated in a funded  international placement with the PAHO/ WHO to prepare an assessment of social  determinants and health and Tuberculosis in Lima, Peru.

an SFU event
My First BIG Event

In her latest post, Natalie conquers her first big event during her TFCSE Co-op term with her Trick or Eat team. Find out what she learned about event planning and working with volunteers.