Personal & Professional Development

During the lightning round Natalie was shortlisted for a third job interview and was ultimately offered a co-op job! She reflects on her latest interview experience and shares some very important insights you should know to succeed at your next job interview.

Have a cold? Take this medicine. Feeling sad? Take these pills. Not sure what to do with your life? Find someone to give you the answer. Anything will do, as long as it doesn't involve a significant personal investment of our own time, effort, or mental energy - after all, we've got better things to do.

Take a read at this interview with Paul as he shares with us his first co-op experience at Drexel University in Philadelphia. 

Why talk about your work when you can show it?  Good portfolio pieces will help set you apart from other candidates. Here are some important tips from Co-op students, coordinators and employers on showcasing your portfolio during interviews.

You've always heard about how to prepare for interviews from your peers and your coordinators, but what about from an employer? Kim Steinbart of the BC Forest Service discusses common interview mistakes and provides tips on how to put your best foot forward.

"I could, and should, expose the sickness that plagues Canada after a century of ignoring the many facets of aboriginal experience. And it empowered me to confront the darkness that I’ve witnessed in our own communities – substance abuse, corruption, and prejudice." Learn more about Duncan's journey...

Summer travel offers opportunities to explore, relax, and hang out with friends. Plus, if you are an open-minded and curious person, travel can be a eye opening, resume enhancing experience. Here are some ways that travel might make a difference in your career.

This fictitious and funny article provides you with some insight into important elements to consider in your cover letter. Communication Co-op Coordinator Marcia Shimizu gives the dirt on what not to do when writing a cover letter. 

Are you having a difficult time placing a co-op placement? You're not alone! Read about Natalie's disappointment with her second job interview, how she coped with her frustration and the lessons she took away from this experience to improve her interviewing skills and increase her chance at landing a job. 

So you applied for a co-op, internship or full-time position and the organization wants to schedule a pre-screen interview with you. Are you scratching your head and wondering what a pre-screen interview is and how you can prepare for it? Here are some must-know tips and questions that can increase your chance of moving on to the next round of the selection process!

Trying to get that dream job? More and more employers are now using search engines such as Google to find out more about potential employees. If you’re not sure if social media is enhancing your online presence, there are some things you can do.

So you went through the workshops, you took BOL I, and you’ve had your one-on-one with your advisor. Now what? Natalie asked herself the same question when she completed all the initial steps of Co-op. Read on to find out more about Natalie's job search and the lessons she took away from her first job interview.

Every day presents you with numerous opportunities to learn and improve yourself. Here are 5 tips to maximize every moment of your day to live your life to the fullest.

"Not only was I gaining experience, but I was making connections to people in my field who were always looking for innovative ideas, ways to create more business, and opportunities to network beyond our respective communities."

What would the characters in A Game of Thrones major in, if they went to a modern day university? I focused on the characters that I found most interesting or noteworthy in my reading of the series - you might have some of your own favourites that I don't get to - I invite you to join in with your own opinions!

Never give up. No matter what anyone says? As I say to my kids: “Stand tall, shoulders back and walk proud. You have to beleive in yourself, because you can do it!"

Have you ever thought about how amazing it is that we have the capacity to ​imagine​? What is it that gives me this ability to picture what my future might be like, or for artists to create and portray entire fantastical mental worlds, or for children to spend countless joyful hours pretending to be something or someone else? And what benefit can imagination have on our careers?

Do you have anything that you’ve always wanted to do – from baking to backpacking the wilderness to speaking in front of a crowd – but never muster up the courage to try?  If you are even thinking about tackling a “first”, you may be ready to stretch yourself and do something new.

Want to add to your portfolio but don't know where to start?  Why not try starting your own blog?  See how this recent Communication graduate landed his dream job while writing about his favourite sports team, the Canucks!  

Your résumé is your opportunity to demonstrate your skills, strengths, interest in a position and "appeal" to potential employers and express what you have to offer.
 

Dave knows full well the value of talking to a career professional (if he didn't he'd be in trouble). It's knowledge that he takes for granted, and every now and then he's made aware of the fact that the knowledge he knows, isn't common knowledge - in fact, most people probably have no idea what they can get from working with a career professional! Read Dave's advice on talking with a career professional, and how it will boast your professional developpment. 

Fusing the world of Business and Mechatronics, Brendon Sauer has shown that MSE students really can have the bFusing the world of Business and Mechatronics, Brendon Sauer has shown that MSE students really can have the best of both worlds. Read more about his experience at Discover Energy.

Professor Hunter, my family (Uncle Kelly, Mom and Grandparents) have and have always had great confidence in me. This is where my strength comes from. Like most youth/students (First Nations, Aboriginal, non-Aboriginal), there is a mixture of confusion, fear and excitement about what to do next.

The content of your resume should allow your reader to step into your shoes and see the value you brought to your previous employers, as this is where your potential worth as a future employee is best expressed. So do yourself a favour, and don't sell yourself short!

Is career advancement on your mind? Whether you are a current student, a recent grad, or have been in the workforce for a couple of years, for many of us, improving our position never seems far from our minds. Read on to find out about how you can move up the corporate ladder as a student.

Ronil landed not one but two co-op placements with The Vancouver Canucks. He shares with us his success tips in landing the back-to-back contrast contract. 

"We lived the Metis life as my father hunted and trapped when he wasn't
 working to keep the family fed. My mother tanned hides, did beautiful beadwork and made clothing and bedding. We danced to the fiddle and sang." Read Bruce's story of how he became President of Metis Nation BC.

"We lived the Metis life as my father hunted and trapped when he wasn't
 working to keep the family fed. My mother tanned hides, did beautiful beadwork and made clothing and bedding. We danced to the fiddle and sang." 

As a co-op student, it's not a bad idea to explore your options by going to other interviews if you can, even when you have a job offer already. Check out Natalie's experience going for her fourth interview and a potential second job offer!

"With the uncertainty and changes in healthcare systems for our people and a separate health authority plan that will marginalize our people, I decided to be where my skills and services will be most beneficial." Read more to find out how a girl from Wetsuweten Nation became a leader in the Nursing field.