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Working Remotely

working remotely

Many industries have had to make the switch to remote working to protect their employees, and the well-being of society. That is why Remote Working has become a regular part of our professional vocabulary. By reading through the following content, you will learn about experiences, tips and strategies on the ins and outs of remote working shared by our community. From learning how to be productive at home, to keeping active and how to make the most out of your virtual experience, the following stories will provide you with actionable advice and meaningful stories of resilience.

Aisuluu at work showing her credentials
Blog
Work-Life Balance and Productivity While Working From Home

Unlock the secretes to thriving in your upcoming remote Co-op! Here are some tips and tricks that I found helpful from my experiences working from home for WorkSafeBC. 

An image of Kelly Chiang
Blog
Transitioning From Study to Work Life

As a fifth year Health Science Co-op Student, Kelly Chiang shares her advice for students interested in integrating valuable work experience with their classroom learning.

Janice at work
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Finding the Balance Point Between Co-op, Club Work, and Traveling

Janice shares strategic tips on how to make the most of any student experience by becoming fully engaged. Whether it is expanding her network, traveling to interact with colleagues, connecting with mentors, or exploring a new city, Janice dives into it all.

A student working at their desk.
Blog
Working Amidst COVID-19 in My First Co-op Term

With COVID persisting for over a year, working from home has become the new normal. However, we still have a long way to understand how to optimize our time working from the comforts of our bedroom.

A Canadian flag against the blue sky
Blog
My First Virtual Day with the Government of Canada

Working at any new job is a nerve-wracking task, but being online makes us feel like we start a few more steps behind. Read's Kit's perspective on her first few days working at the Government of Canada, and how to make those really important connections over the webcam. 

A picture of Terae with the Zoom interface at the bottom.
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Working in a Virtual World: How to Participate in Online Meetings

Even as the pandemic subsides, remote and online learning has become our new reality and that can take some adjusting to. OLC staff member Terae’s piece on Online Meeting Etiquette has you covered on where to sit, what to say, and how to look professional doing it. 

Three people on a Zoom call discussing a cosmetic product
Blog
Joanne Kim: Working in the Cosmetic Industry as a UI Designer

Ever wonder what it would be like to work in the cosmetics industry as a UI/UX Designer? If so, read more about Joanne's co-op experience with Three Ships Beauty!

7 people sitting around a table in a meeting
Blog
7 Ways to Have a Successful Meeting With Your Supervisor or Team

A big meeting is coming up at work and you have no idea how you will contribute in a way that is meaningful. Jacky went from anxious to ambitious during his co-op work term as a Student Researcher, learning the ins and outs of leadership and proactive participation in team meetings. Here are his 7 tips for preparing for your upcoming work gathering.

Taylor
Blog
What Worked, What I Could've Done Better and Lessons Learned While Working From Home

Taylor's seen the highs and lows of working from home and is here to tell you all about what worked and what didn't as he supported Vancouver Coastal Health as a Junior Business Analyst. Read on to learn from his carefully thought-out tips and tricks for making the most of a remote work term.

A women smiling at the camera
Blog
Yulia Dmitrieva: Working with Fuel Cell Systems While On Co-op

MSE co-op student, Yulia, describes her interesting job as a Mechanical Engineer at Cellcentric. Cellcentric is a fuel cell organization whose mission is to “bring together 30 years’ worth of extensive experience in developing safe and efficient world-class fuel cell systems. By using hydrogen in our fuel cells, we create energy without emitting anything but pure water.”

A women with glasses is smiling and sitting at a park
Blog
Alex Hoang: Working as a Software Developer in the Mental Healthcare Sector

Ever wonder what it would be like to work as a software engineer in the healthcare sector? If so, read about Alex Hoang's co-op experience at Greenspace Mental Health. Greenspace Mental Health “is a web-based platform that helps mental health therapists easily measure and monitor patient progress” and during her co-op, Alex has been mostly maintaining and adding new features to Greenspace’s web platform. 

Illustrated people using Zoom platforms in a variety of ways
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You Too Can Host a Zoom Meeting!

Have you ever wanted to host a Zoom meeting of your own? With a bit of practice, Sinead shows how you can easily learn this versatile tool and pull off virtual meetings and events with confidence.

A young women with glasses is smiling in the camera.
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Kayla Wu: Working as a UX/UI Designer in the Financial Sector

SIAT co-op student, Kayla Wu, describes her interesting job as a UX/UI designer at Remitbee. Remitbee is a financial organization whose mission is to “Spark the financial revolution by connecting people and money - across borders, currencies, and cultures and is currently looking to hire 15 co-op students for the Fall 2021 semester, so SFU co-op students seeking for a co-op placement this term are highly encouraged to apply.

Oil painting of clocks piled up
Blog
Across Time Zones: Lessons in Time Management and Navigating Corporate Culture

Shumail had finally landed her first Co-op position as a corporate actuarial intern but there was a catch: the job was in Toronto, she was working remotely from home in Edmonton, all while attending SFU in Vancouver. Read on to learn how she learned key lessons in time management and corporate culture while navigating the work from home life

picture of Bill
Blog
Shifting Co-op Experiences: From Office to Home

Over Bill's five terms of Co-op experience, the past two (in Summer and Fall 2020) have provided a rather unique experience. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bill was given the opportunity to work remotely from home and found himself needing to adapt to a very different work environment in terms of task planning and time management. In this blog, Bill hopes to share some of these experiences as well as some challenges that he faced while working remotely

An man wearing a green jacket and white t-shirt  is smiling at the camera with trees in the background.
Blog
Patrick Pacunana: Taking Ownership and Flourishing in a Design Co-op Job

Interactive Arts & Technology student, Patrick Pacunana, describes the exciting projects he has been working on as a UX/UI designer at the Vancouver-based startup, Ensightful. 

Marcus smiling
Blog
Finding Your Silver Lining: The Successes and Challenges of Working During a Global Pandemic

Starting your first Co-op work semester can be intimidating. “Will I get along with my coworkers?” or “Will I be good at my job?” are some questions that everyone asks themselves. In February, Marcus Fujiwara, a Solutions & Services Co-op at Allocadia found himself asking “Will my position be terminated?” and “How do I work from home?” amid the global pandemic. Read on to learn about his attempt at finding a silver lining in the most uncertain of times.

A person surrounded with thought bubbles that each signify a different aspect of their life
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Finding Balance in Unbalanced Times: Learning and Working Remotely

Winnie shares how she adjusted to working and studying on zoom.

person typing on a laptop
Blog
7 Tips for Remote Facilitation Amidst a Global Pandemic

Congratulations! You’ve landed your first Co-op work term. But wait! There’s a catch (or two): you’re in the middle of a global pandemic, and you’re expected to lead a team in this new and not-so-improved virtual setting. Read Bita’s tips to feel more confident while conquering your very first Co-op in a position of leadership, all the while working remotely. 

Emily smiling
Blog
How Should We and Our Employers Prepare for Remote Working?

In a highly uncertain pandemic, working from home has become the new normal. Read about Emily's co-op experience with Sierra Wireless and find out what we can do to better our experience with remote working, both as an employer and an employee.

Kevin and coworkers smiling
Blog
Having the Best Co-op Work Experiences Even During Uncertain Times

When the COVID-19 hit, Kevin had to transition from working in person to working from home. Read on to find out what this experience was like and how Kevin was able to readjust to new working conditions. 

two people talking over zoom with masks on
Blog
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. 

Elena smiling in her workspace
Blog
My Experience Starting a Co-op During a Global Pandemic

As Elena enters her first co-op work term in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, she is faced with the challenges of working remotely. Read on to find out how she is able to overcome these obstacles as she shares her advice on working from home. 

Kaylla
Blog
Staying Productive While Working Remotely for a Health Authority

Working from home is a common reality for many Co-op students in the past year. Working from home while working for a Health Authority in the thick of the pandemic is a tremendous experience Kaylla went through last year. Take a look at how she learned to stay productive in these uncertain times.

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Blog
Wrapping Up 2020: Our Top 12 Inspirational Blog Articles

2020 has been an unprecedented and extraordinary year. What we at the OLC have been pleasantly surprised by is how inspiring our contributing authors have been. Many of our posts touched on the reality of the pandemic, but they were written from a place of positivity and resilience. To wrap up 2020 at the SFU OLC, we've curated our top 12 inspiring posts and summarized how they can continue to inspire you in the New Year.

Large computer monitor with silver microphone to the right
Blog
How I Brought My Office to My Home

It was confusing figuring out how to work from home on a short notice back in March 2020. Since then, Terry has been learning and reflecting on what really makes a home office productive and what is needed to keep it a friendly and productive environment. Read on to learn more about his insights.

Man sitting at desk, with hands behind head
Blog
What Has Worked So Far With Remote Working

Remote working is no longer only the future of working but a current-day reality. Matthew provides three of his tips and tricks that have worked for him when working remotely with Student Recruitment and Admissions at SFU.

person working on her laptop, sitting on the ground
Blog
How to Boost Your Remote Teamwork Experience During the Pandemic

As a university student, have you been having some trouble making remote teamwork fun and engaging? Des'ree shares what she's learned from her remote semester experience and provides some tips on how to improve the quality of your teamwork experience.

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