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Personal & Professional Development

Personal & Professional Development

Guiding your professional and personal growth.

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Welcome

Personal and Professional Development is where you can find tips, stories and resources that will boost your professional trajectory, and personal growth. From resume-building to staying on track at work, the following resources will teach you how to conduct yourself personally and professionally.

Image of Sophia at Wawanesa Insurance Company
Remote Work Vs Remote Studying: What’s the Difference?

Join Sophia as she shares her 8-month journey at Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, where she explores the unique challenges and growth opportunities of working from home and how they can be applied to enhance her academic pursuits.

Christina's headshot
The Co-op Diaries – Challenges, Triumphs and Everything In-Between

As Christina approached the end of her fourth co-op and final semester at Simon Fraser University, she reflects on a remarkable journey filled with accomplishments and eagerly anticipates the path ahead.

Image of Priyanka Das
Discover Your True Self: 7 Tips to Develop Unwavering Self-Belief and Authenticity

Take chances as you never know what opportunities may arise. Meet Priyanka Das, a Beedie Co-op student who’s working with SFU’s Communication and Marketing department as a Digital Resource Assistant. Learn more about how she landed her current co-op and other opportunities such as the CEOx1Day finalist by being authentic and believing in their abilities.

Image of Rochelle at Tradeable Bits
What I Learned as a Digital Marketing Coordinator for a B2B SaaS Company

As Rochelle near the end of her co-op term at Tradable Bits, she reflected on the experiences that have shaped her perspective on marketing and the tech industry.

Emma standing in front of the pond at SFU Burnaby
A Co-op Student’s Guide to Media Relations

Like many Communications students, I came into the School of Communication very interested in media; both studying it and working in it. I found it harder and harder to pinpoint where I could fit into it professionally as I learned more about it. What do you do when you’re interested in media, but not sure you want to work directly in media?

Convocation procession at SFU
My Co-op journey: Lessons Learned from Seven Terms

Yes, you read the right, I did seven Co-op terms while completing my Communication degree. I’m a firm believer of trying as much as I can during my undergrad, and I did exactly that. Starting off with working at a non-profit in events and social media, I then transitioned to a university in Kenya doing content development and research, a corporate position in Calgary, multiple roles at a digital marketing agency, working at a bank, and now closing my Co-op journey in the public sector. Being extremely fortunate to be able to try many Co-op positions, I’d like to share what I’ve learned from 28 months of working in communications.

laptop showing online meeting with coffee cup beside
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.

Lauretta and Caitlin with laptop
7 Goal-Setting Tips to Start a Semester Off for Success

Are you struggling to set your goals for the semester? this blog is here to help.

Valentine’s Day at the office with some of the team! Left to Right: Claudia, Laurie, Kimberly, and Kiara
Round 2: The Takeaways of Working at SFU for Two Co-Op Terms

A few days before the Christmas break of 2021, I received an email that would jumpstart my Co-op journey leading me into new experiences, connections, and so much more! I'm not sure if many people would be able to say this, but wow, am I ever happy that I checked my email that day.

A phone on the home screen where the apps for Twitter, Facebook and Instagram can be seen
Tips for Effective Social Media Marketing

When promoting events and news on social media on behalf of a club, service, or business, the main goal is to get as many eyes as possible on the content. One of my tasks in my 8-month Co-op position was to post updates on their social media accounts, which includes job postings, upcoming events, and special announcements. Over these months, I was able to find useful strategies and tools to help me manage these profiles effectively and efficiently.

Co-op students standing outside around a sign that says "SFU"
Event Planning 101: 3 Tips for Planning an Event even Gen-Z’s will Enjoy

Coming into this Co-op position as an Outreach, Promotion, and Engagement Coordinator for SFU’s School of Communication, I was not expecting to gain any sort of event planning experience. Creating an event for our incoming students for Fall 2023, was a brand-new concept that flourished this semester.

Headshot of Yeow
Fumbling My Way to Competency: A Self Reflection of My Fears

Did I exaggerate my capabilities? Will they think I’m a disappointing hire? These were some of the questions that plagued my mind when I first stepped into the office. The fears worsened as I started to learn about my expected workflow, and I wondered if I was out of my depth.

Samiya
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. 

Abu standing next to a screen that says "Limitless"
Why Pursue a Career in Sales

This article is my take on why somebody would pursue a career in sales. I have never done sales in my life, and I like to take on new challenges. Therefore, it allows me to elaborate on the skills I have learned throughout my journey.

A laptop and a book at a desk
8 Valuable Lessons I Learned from Working an Office Job

Working in a full-time position in an office involves a lot of online communication and file management, thus staying organized is the key to success. In my job specifically, my main tasks were replying to emails and messages on social media as well as posting on the platforms, creating a monthly newsletter, designing promotional graphics, and updating webpages. But no matter the occupation, whether you’re a worker or a student, these tips may help you stay organized and be effective.

image of Kaylie
Working as a Visual Interaction Designer for Nokia

Kaylie Au is an Interactive Arts and Technology co-op student who completed her work term at Nokia. Read about how this opportunity helped her develop professional associations and helped her grow her skillset!