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Personal & Professional Development

Personal & Professional Development

Guiding your professional and personal growth.

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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.

A portrait of Justine in an outdoor setting.
Co-op Work Experience Propels Economics Student's Career Trajectory

Even as a child, economics student Justine Mok loved helping others and she aspired to pursue a career that would allow her to make a meaningful difference. Read on to see how she used her time at SFU Economics to fuel her future.

A woman in a gym standing in front of a weight rack.
ABC's of Setting up a Home Gym

Want to start doing home workouts? Check out SFU Recreation's blog on tips for setting up your workout space and how to get started.

Four silhouettes on a beach with a sunset behind them.
How to Capitalize on Your Mistakes

Mistakes and regrets are a part of life, but there will always be a way to move on from them. Look at OLC staff member Terae’s blog on how she learned to accept her failures and find a new perspective on her path to the future. 

A person in a wetsuit surfing a wave.
Ways to Stay Active in the Summer: Water Sports Edition

With an abundance of beaches and lakes on the West Coast, there are lots of different activities that you can do outside while staying cool. Here are some of our recommendations for ways to stay active in the summer, water sports edition:

Painted sign of the sun and blue skies that says "Burnaby"
What Is It Really Like Working For a Non-Profit?

I have always wanted to work at a non-profit organization. While my main objective during my first Co-op term was to gain experience in the Communication field, that goal to work at a non-profit had always remained in the back of my mind. Keep reading to learn more about my experience working for a non-profit. 

Girl smiling
How Working in the Health Care Sector during a Pandemic Rekindled My Passion for Communication Work

Communication? What do you do in Communication? It wasn't until my Co-op term with Fraser Health that I started to gain a solid understanding of what a career in Communication could really encompass. Keep reading to learn about how working in the healthcare sector during a pandemic rekindled my passion for Communication work. 

white desk with open laptop, computer mouse, phone, notebook, and plant
Non-Profit, Start-Up or Corporate: What's Right for You?

Co-op can be an overwhelming process. You are entering a trial adult experience where you look for and apply for jobs. But what do you do when you are scrolling through the long list of job postings and a wave of companies and organizations blind your eyes? Continue reading to learn about Carissa's experience working for a variety of industries. 

A woman studying on her laptop with notebooks open around her
Must Knows for Exam Prep

Final exams are the pinnacle of your semester, and they never get any easier to cram for. This blog post by the Student Learning Commons gives us some tips on how to prepare for the worst. 

 

Four people sit around a table in business casual wear.
Value People as Much as You Value Your Work!

When a company invests in its people, the work experience can go from good to great. Roop Gill’s anecdotal piece on how she prospered in her co-op despite massive setbacks proves that there is nothing more valuable than workplace connection.

Photo of Jordan Eshpeter
Bringing Industry Experience to your Studies

Jordan shares his thoughts on his SIAT experience after coming back to university as a member of the industry.

Photo of Isabelle Soares
Convocation Spotlight: Isabelle Soares

Isabelle Soares is a stand-out SIAT student who is graduating this week with a Bachelor of Arts in Interactive Arts & Technology. During her time as a SIAT student, Isabelle was involved in the IAT student union and took part in an internship at LinkedIn where she was placed on the LinkedIn Learning Enterprise Growth team.

A person laying on the couch sleeping.
How to Nap for University Students

Sometimes a well-timed nap can mean the world to a tired student. Read on to see the ins and outs of napping at SFU and what's your best bet at at-school slumber.

A collage of three pictures - one of a kayaker on the water on the right, a portrait of Justin in the middle, and a desk overlooking a mountain on the right.
Immersing Myself in a Work Culture Dedicated to Health and Wellness

With a lot of us working at home, looking after our health becomes a high priority. Check out Justin’s post about how his workplace extended a helping hand and how it affected him and his work positively. 

A flyer advertising the West Coast Virtual Fair
Discover Your Future at the West Coast Virtual Fair

Calling all students and alumni! Get inspired by this interview with Jocelyn Loi, who created the virtual fair!  

Four people are gathered around a sitting person, who is laughing and writing.
Getting Feedback for Your Writing

One of the hardest parts of the writing process is getting and implementing feedback. This post from the Student Learning Commons gives a few different ways to get helpful writing feedback and how to know where to get started.

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Advice for Your First Semester at SFU

It’s that time of year again! OLC staff member Terae Walters reminisces on past school years and tells us about her tips for sailing through the first year.

View of Dusseldorf, Germany at sunset
Building Bilateral Relationships: International Co-op in Germany During a Pandemic

Though a move across the world during a pandemic was daunting, I was comforted by my German language ability, my experience having spent time in the country, and the strong co-op support team that stood behind me. 

A single runner on between a tree-lined road.
How to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse: 4 Tips to Get You Started with Running

Running is great for your cardiovascular health, but it's not easy to get motivated if you're new to the sport. Read Rachel's post on SFU Rec to find some tips on how to build motivation before putting on the running shoes. 

Portrait of Audrey
Economics Grad Enhances Her SFU Experience Through Experiential Learning and Community Engagement
RBC

SFU Economics Grad Audrey Radstake reflects on her time in Economics, her favourite courses, and how her Co-op terms have already started affecting her future. 

girl sitting in front of laptop and computer monitor screen with emails open
4 Reasons Why You Should Do Your Co-op with the SFU Co-op Program

Wondering what's it like to do a Co-op term with Co-op? If so, check out Sarah's experience working as the Digital Design and Communications Assistant for the SFU Surrey Co-op Programs, where she had had the opportunity to work with four different Co-op programs!

A cartoon image of a woman doing a sit-up in a living room
7 Ways to Add Fitness to Your Routine

Are you trying to put wellness into your routine and not quite sure where it fits? This article by SFU Recreation tells you some tips and tricks on finding ways to get started

Picture of Ivan standing in front of a memorial.
5 Myths About a Federal Government Co-op that You Need to Know!

What comes to mind when you hear someone say, “I work for the federal government”? Let’s be honest, if you have never had a job in this sector, those words may sound intimidating, intense, and kind of complex. There are quite a few misconceptions about what kind of jobs there are in this field and what kind of benefits they can bring.

Red banner with 3 student pictures on the right. Text on the left saying "Arts Co-op Alumni Q&A" and "wonder where SFU arts co-op can take you? Read about Asia, Dion, and Yee-Ting's experiences".
Arts Co-op Alumni Q&A Session

Wondering where your arts degree can take you, and how SFU Co-op can help you get there? In March 2021, we hosted a Q&A session with three seasoned SFU Arts Co-op Alumni with a variety of Co-op experiences, where they shared their Co-op journeys and where they are now. Keep reading for their tips on being successful during and after their co-op terms. 

Open laptop on black table with google search of "how to co-op?", in between a mug and stack of books. Background of image shows icons of paintbrush, camera, blackboard with math, atom, money, and construction worker.
What I Wish I Knew When Seeking Co-op Jobs

During my semester of scouring through SFU’s myExperience portal for jobs, I had to learn a lot of things the hard way, which probably led to me getting a job pretty last minute. But I don’t think I’m the only one who has fallen into the trap of destructive habits that creep through the cracks on the road to success. Below is a list of things I wish I had known when I started seeking for Co-op jobs that I hope will help other Communication Co-op job seekers.

A hand holding a camera in front of a blue sky.
Finding Inspiration Even When You're Stuck in a Rut

Finding inspiration during the pandemic can be hard. OLC Content Creator Terae Walters gives us some pointers on where she finds inspiration for creative projects, from photography to beyond.