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Leadership

Leadership

Leadership skills are pivotal to any workplace. The following stories provide you with actionable advice regarding how to strengthen your leadership skills, how to use your pre-existing skills to your advantage, and what opportunities are available to you as an SFU student. There are many different leadership styles to embody. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, you have skills that can be utilized in leadership, mentoring and coaching positions.

Samiya
Blog
Become a Leader of Tomorrow (LOT)

Samiya, a career peer advisor at SFU shares with you an opportunity to become a Leader of Tomorrow, an experience that will surely help you grow into leadership roles. 

Eden sitting at a table with papers
Blog
Finding Your Voice: Solutions on How to Public Speak with Confidence

Public Speaking is challenging, and I applaud anyone who can speak in front of a crowd because it takes a lot of courage. These tips will help when speaking to audiences to sell yourself as a speaker and increase your comfort level and confidence.

  

George standing outside, next to a British Columbia sign
Blog
Interview with an Arts Co-op Student: Advice to Future Students

Meet George Gayed, a Political Science student minoring in international studies with a concentration of international security and conflict. In this quick Q&A, George discusses his work in his different positions, goes over highlights and the most valuable things he has learned.

Fatima standing in front of mountains
Blog
WHERE Are They Now: An Interview with a Former Master's Co-op Student

Many times, our co-op students graduate from our program, and use these experiences in future positions. Today, we will be interviewing a former student of ours, Fatima Sajid to see where she is now after graduation. Read about how her onboarding processes went, the skills she learnt and how her employers helped her develop said skills.

Audrey standing in front of Simon Fraser University, with her dog
Blog
Mobilizing Indigenous Knowledge Systems in my Work

I strive to make SFU a safer place for our Indigenous community to grow and flourish.

Laptop on a desk with hands typing on the keys
Blog
The Art of the Start-Up: Wearing Many Hats

I came into it wanting to learn as much as I could. Somehow, I learned more than I thought I would, including about the changeable nature of start-ups. I’ll always be grateful for the flexible work environment that allowed me to gain experience in things I never dreamed of doing.

Photo of Claire Adams
Blog
Emerging Leader Claire Adams Brings Creativity and Passion to her Grassroots Community Work

Urban Studies master’s student Claire Adams is dedicated to helping transform the way self-identified women experience urban spaces and participate in civic processes, and she has been recognized for this work with the Urban Studies Alumni Award for Community Engagement.

multiple students during a class looking at powerpoint slide
Blog
Advice for Your First Year as a Teaching Assistant

Kandice, a Public Health Graduate student, never expected to be a Teaching Assistant (TA). But with the encouragement from family and friends who were former TAs, Kandice took the plunge. Now as her first year comes to a close, Kandice shares some helpful tips on how to have an enjoyable semester as a TA!

Two people facing each other from the knee down
Blog
Four Benefits of Being Part of a Mentorship Program

Does the word mentor scare you? Maybe you don't know what the word Mentorship even means! These are thoughts Bessie had before signing up for a mentorship program at their Co-op workplace. Read Bessie's article on the benefits of working with a mentor!

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. 

Six different hands stacked on top of each other, indicating teamwork
Blog
The Power of an Introvert as a Leader

Can introverts be outstanding leaders? Check out this article from Des'ree in which she talks about what kind of traits introverts have that can be harnessed for leadership roles.

Gabriel's Team
Blog
Four Leadership Lessons That Are Critical to Your Co-op Success

Follow Gabriel on a journey of self-reflection as he shares with us some of the lessons he's learnt while on a Co-op term at Tranction on Demand.

Smiling student connecting with others
Blog
Career Peer Experiences During COVID-19: A Wonderful Opportunity

Who are SFU’s Career Peers? What was it like to be onboarded and trained remotely? What are they up to on the (virtual) campus this semester? Sharon Gill, a Career Peer at Career & Volunteer Services at SFU, tells us all.

a group of people sitting together looking at one screen
Blog
Working at a Scale-up Company: Three Things I’ve Learned

As Priscilla learned, working at a scale-up company comes with valuable lessons and takeaways but also unique challenges. Read on to learn more about what she learned from her time working as a Strategy Intern.

Man yelling angrily into a wired phone
Blog
Good Manners? Who Cares?

Do manners even matter? We think so! Business Co-op Program Manager, Tanya Behrisch shares why manners still count and are the finishing touch for young professionals starting out their careers. 

hands smoothing out dirt
Blog
Empowerment through Volunteering: An Interview with Eva Ang

Have you ever wondered how some people manage to do it all? In this interview, Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology student, Eva Ang, offers tips on juggling work, school, volunteering and life.

A group of people sitting on a table as a part of a discussion.
Blog
Working for Purpose, Not for Profit

Applying for his first co-op placement, Business student, Jeffery Choi wanted a job that would be exciting and challenging, but more than anything, fulfilling. Looking for work with purpose, Jeff spent his first co-op as a Campaign Associate for the United Way of the Lower Mainland.  

The author
Blog
Grow Beyond Your Job

If you want to extract every opportunity from your co-op term, take these proactive steps to grow professionally beyond your job title. 

A photo of the author
Blog
Discover Your Leadership Potential in Passport to Leadership

Looking for an opportunity to boost your personal development at SFU? Look no further - Passport to Leadership will help you maximize your leadership potential, and is available to all SFU students! Read Zahraa's story for more insight.

Man standing in front of room giving a presentation while his audience raise their hands up to answer a question
Blog
3 Steps for Cultivating Leadership on Your Resume

The term leadership has become a buzzword when describing one’s abilities and skillsets, but leadership is an imperative skill that can give you a competitive edge. Matthew offers three ways to convey this skill to employers when looking for work. 

lead banner
Blog
Becoming Globally Engaged

Being an international student at SFU is not easy as there aren't many opportunities to meet other students. The Global Student Centre welcomes all, hosting events that bring students together to celebrate diversity and create intercultural awareness. 

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