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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.

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A Q&A with a Co-op Alumnus

Today we’re talking to Rifayat Raisa, who graduated in April 2021 from the MA Economics program. During her time at SFU she was able to complete a co-op with Policy Reporter as a Research and Reporting Assistant. With this role she was able to break into the health economics industry and is still with the company today. Continue reading to have a look into her experience with co-op and what she’s learned along the way.

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Finding Community While Returning to Work In-Person

Finding community in your workplace is just one way to enrich your overall working and learning experience. Creating relationships with colleagues, and friendships in the community not only benefits your work life but can reflect a positive personal life as well. Whether this looks like sharing inside jokes with a co-worker, a meaningful conversation with a peer, or a meal with community, these are just some ways to grow your social circle.

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Working at Alida as a Business Administration Major

The software industry can be intimidating for your first co-op but it can also be a great way to gain a wide skill set that can be applied throughout many industries.

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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.

The front steps of the Academic Quadrangle at SFU.
How I Did My Remote Co-op with the OLC
OLC

The OLC loves its co-op students! Nazanin, our Tech Co-op student, reflects on her time here and what her strategies for success were. 

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Working from Home: What I Learned in an Online Co-op Placement

Working from home the last few years has had a steep learning curve. Read on to see how Victoria, a Master's student at SFU, spent her online co-op term and the pros and cons of remote work. 

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Growth Opportunities in Not-for-Profit Organizations

After entering the workforce eight years ago, how did I just find out that non-for-profits provide the best learning opportunities for students and professionals looking to diversify their skills? Overtime, I have worked for family businesses, not-for-profits, and corporations, but I always found myself growing and learning more while working for a not-for-profit.