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Professional Associations

professsional associations

Professional Associations are the clubs, companies and organizations that support SFU students in their personal and professional development. The following stories highlight the professional associations that hire co-op students or onboard volunteers through interviews or student experience. They will show you the opportunities available to you as an SFU student, but also help guide your decision making process when creating your career path.

laptop showing online meeting with coffee cup beside
Blog
The Introvert’s Guide to Networking and Making Quality Connections

Networking can seem like a daunting task, especially for introverts who prefer quiet and solitude to socializing in large, noisy gatherings. Good news is that there are effective ways for introverts to build meaningful connections without straying too far from their comfort zones.

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. 

Liam standing with a notebook and a construction uniform
Blog
A Technical Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy

In the sentences that follow, you will learn five very, very important tips that, if heeded, will prepare you for a career in technical writing. If these tips don’t quite have the effect I’m suggesting, it’s not my fault–you probably did something wrong.

Calendar with pinned dates
Blog
Expect the Unexpected with Event Planning

I’ve learned to expect the unexpected in the field of communications, but this semester, that was taken to the next level, as event planning became the focus. While most days were fairly regular office hours, I did once spend the weekend as a guide and mic runner for a research summit. Another time, I got to attend a free class in voguing!

girl standing beside SFU sign
Blog
Starting or Continuing Your Co-op Journey: A Letter to Current and Future Co-op Students

If you are a current Co-op student, someone who’s about to begin their work term, or someone who’s thinking about possibly joining the program, this one is for you! I remember going into my first Co-op work term and finding comfort in reading about other students’ Co-op experiences. Not knowing what to expect can be scary, so being able to have a snapshot into what others have experienced or learned can offer some insights.

man standing in front of grey background with arms crossed
Blog
A Q&A with a MA Econ Co-op Student

Meet Zafer, an SFU Master of Economics Co-op Student. In this quick Q&A, learn more about his current co-op at Scotiabank. Keep reading as Zafer tells us more about the role, what he's looking forward to the most, and some tips for students who are beginning their co-op journey. 

Desk
Blog
Accessible Online Content

Going all digital seemed like the best thing with COVID-19, but for people with access needs that have long been ignored, this past year’s transition to online work and life reflects how accessibility considerations are often an afterthought.

Man sitting on a chair smiling at camera
Blog
5 Quick Q&As with an MA Econ Co-op Student

Today we’re talking with Masood Abdinejad, a master of economics student in his second year, who’s currently doing a co-op work term at Natural Resources Canada. Learn about his co-op experience as an international student working in a federal government role.

Girl smiling with a landscape background
Blog
Five Ways That Co-op Helped Me Build My Self-Confidence

Having self-confidence has consistently been a goal of mine to achieve. And for a long time, I would get scared at the thought of pursuing Co-op positions as I thought that it would surely make me feel less confident about myself. But little did I know, my experiences in Co-op have been one of the biggest factors in building my self-confidence.

A person typing on a computer.
Blog
5 Email Etiquette Tips Every Employee Needs to Know

You probably know that dreadful feeling you get after opening an email that is so long your finger gets tired from scrolling. While the process of sending an email may seem intuitive, there are many considerations that should be made before hitting that “send” button. Therefore, I present to you, essential email etiquette tips every employee should know.

Open laptop on the centre of wooden table, in between a notebook and pencil, a cell phone, and a cup of coffee
Blog
3 Reasons to Consider an 8-Month Co-op

In the process of searching for a Co-op job, you may be thinking “an 8-month co-op seems so long, so a 4-month position is probably the way to go”. Read on for Marilyn's reasons why an 8-month Co-op can be so much more rewarding. 

Image of the interviewee, Nhi smiling and looking at the camera
Blog
An Interview with the Project Lead of TEDxSFU: Nhi Nguyen

Wondering what it is like to work to work for TEDxSFU? Curious why you should seek leadership roles in student clubs? Des'ree interviews Nhi Nguyen, the former Project Lead of TEDxSFU and asks about her experience, lessons learnt and the challenges she faced in this position.

Claire and her students
Blog
Heat in Catalonia: Lessons from International Co-op

A student desperately wanting to have class outside suggested we put the decision to a vote. An overwhelming amount of hands went up for having class in the sun and I paused to think about how I could adjust my lesson plan without a chalkboard. The students saw my hesitation and said, “but Claire, don’t you believe in our right to have a democracy?”. This was when I knew I would learn a lot more than just how to teach, from my international co-op term in Catalonia.

Brindan, Refayet, and another member posing in front of a camera with the city landscape as the backdrop via glass windows
Blog
SFU’s Tech-E Program – Refayet Siam’s Most Gratifying Experience

The Tech-E program is a unique program at SFU where students conceive their own solution-driven product with the guidance of industry experts. Strategy Lead of Novion, President of the Mechatronic Systems Engineering Student Society, and the Co-President of Technovus, Refayet Siam, shares his experience and thoughts on the Tech-E program through a Q&A! 

Natalia and her coworkers taking a group photo together
Blog
How Co-op Helped Me Engage With the Community

Looking to succeed in Co-op while making the most of your experience? Natalia shares the best lessons she has gained her during co-op experience, and explains how to stay on top of your tasks while still enjoying the experience and having fun!

Graph on a computer screen
Blog
Golden Opportunity: How I Accidentally Ended Up at a Fortune 500 Mining Company

What many students may not know is that it can be very disheartening to apply for jobs at first. You may not receive many responses. It feels almost as if all the positions you want have already been filled. 

Ali and his colleagues
Blog
Tips for Attending a Conference

Attending a Conference can be a remarkable experience- that is if you plan to make it that way.  Ali shares six tips to prepare for a conference so you can make sure it’s worth your while.

Mark smiling for the camera in a metropolitan area
Blog
Why Co-op Makes a Difference: Instead of Chasing, I’m Being Chased

Have you ever wondered if extending graduation to take part in co-op is really worth it? Find out by checking out Mark's final co-op reflection as he looks back on four co-op terms. 

4 alumnus
Blog
Advice from Communication Co-op Alumni

A panel of alumni visited the CMNS 110 class recently to share their insights and advice. Ranging from a variety of industries – health, government, public relations, broadcasting, tech and education

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