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Scroll through and catch up on the latest from the SFU OLC. You're bound to find a fresh new perspective, the most current advice, and recently published stories that are sure to inspire you. Content is created by the SFU community.

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Changing Times: Stories to Inspire Hope and Resilience

 

Kaylla
Staying Productive While Working Remotely for a Health Authority

Working from home is a common reality for many Co-op students in the past year. Working from home while working for a Health Authority in the thick of the pandemic is a tremendous experience Kaylla went through last year. Take a look at how she learned to stay productive in these uncertain times.

The Latest

 

a girl sitting on the floor with her arms and legs crossed
Blog
The Perks of Failure

We are often told to succeed, but what happens when we fail?  In this blog post, Amy shares her personal story of overcoming failure and how it might not be as terrible as it seems.

a lotus blooming
Blog
Understanding Sexual Violence: A Graduate Student's Perspective

Why is understanding sexual violence important as a graduate student? SFU PhD candidate, Aynsley Pescitelli, discusses some of the unique factors that create barriers to disclosure for graduate students. 

stack of books: "What is Sexual Violence?"
Blog
Understanding Sexual Violence: A Graduate Student's Perspective

Why is understanding sexual violence important as a graduate student? SFU PhD candidate, Aynsley Pescitelli, discusses some of the unique factors that create barriers to disclosure for graduate students. 

health peers head shot
Blog
What is Thrive Week? Reflections of a Health Peer

Two packs of fruit snacks and other ways to make someone's day - from Jan 22nd to 29th, students explored questions around mental health and actions for thriving during SFU Thrive Week.

Ali and her team on the soccer field
Blog
How I Ended Up Working for the BC Lions

Beedie Business student, Ali Najaf shares his extraordinary journey from not knowing anything about the Canadian Football League to working with one of their best teams - The BC Lions.

Christy at the balcony looking over the city at the TELUS location
Blog
More Than Just Marketing: Pursuing my Passion at Telus

Don’t limit yourself and be active in asking to take on projects beyond the job description. Here are some insights from Christy’s co-op at TELUS.

the author in his office
Blog
Rocking At Work Without Hitting Rock Bottom

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed in a new workplace. School of Interactive Art and Technology student, Jimmy Phung shares his tips for rocking at work, without hitting rock bottom.

poster calling out justice for Colten and Tina
Blog
We Deserve More

We deserve more and so do our Indigenous youth. The justification of our suffering needs to stop.

the author and her colleagues
Blog
How Taking a Research Course Can Open Up Your Career Opportunities

As we all know, Communication classes can be quite heavy on the theory side, and unfortunately, it’s probably never the best idea to whoop out your extensive knowledge of semiotics and Marxism in a job interview. So how do you bridge the gap between academia and industry? 

black and white image of men running on trackfield
Blog
Workplace and the Race Against Time

Master's of Communication student, Sugandha Agarwal shares her tips for time-management and workplace productivity. 

Joselyn smiling at the camera against a dark background
Blog
Your Co-op Journey Starts at the End of Your Comfort Zone

An incredible co-op term with Goldcorp taught Joselyn Hernandez to be open minded when searching for co-op opportunities. You never know which organization, industry or position you might end up liking until you try. 

a phone screen showcasing Amazon stocks rising
Blog
Get Your Side Hustle On: A Student's Guide to Part-Time Work

As she puts it, grad student Srijani Datta has been a student for most of her life. To support her love of academia she has worked as a reporter, tutor, translator, transcriber, and content writer. Develop your own side-hustle with her tips. 

Fahad and his colleague talking about design on a whiteboard
Blog
Life of a Design Student: Reflections and Learning

Interactive Arts & Technology student, Fahad Hasany shares how co-op taught him to be confident learning the tools of the trade with the City of Surrey. 

word "no" painted on red background
Blog
It’s Okay to Say “No”

Frankly, I am terrible at saying “no.” Maybe it’s a strong work ethic that has been etched into my existence since I was a child. Maybe it’s not wanting to appear incompetent to the people who could potentially hire me back into a full-time role. Whatever it was, it seemed like my plate was packed to the brim 

pond with blooming lotus
Blog
From Small Pond to Big Pond

Each semester, thousands of students transfer to SFU from colleges and universities across the Lower Mainland. Communication student Alex Caw reflects on his experience learning to navigate bigger classes and a bigger campus, as well as his advice for prospective students thinking of making the leap.  

a yellow smiling face figure in a dark room
Blog
Staying Optimistic Through the Unexpected

Bouncing back from hurdles and setbacks is an important part of career building. Environmental Science student, Ria Yao shares how she developed resilience and patience in the face of rejection.

flowers on a balcony with the view of the city in hongkong
Blog
Postcards from Hong Kong: Culture and Commerce

Derek Woo travelled to Hong Kong for his co-op with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. To keep in touch, he sent postcards home, sharing each leg of his journey as he traversed one of the world's most bustling cities. 

a macbook showcasing UI Design
Blog
Usable Usability: Is Your UX Research Impacting the Product Design Cycle in a Good Way?

Are you an aspiring UX Researcher? Fourth-year SIAT student and UX Researcher at Samsung, Alireza Mogharrab, shares key tips for creating effective usability studies. 

A photo of Heather Prost in the recording studio
Podcast
Making Space
Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere
Blog
Why Doesn’t Canada Have a Disabilities Act?

It is 2018 and Canada has not yet implemented adequate protection and legislation for people with disabilities. When it comes to equality for all, Canada is falling far behind. In this article, Jien discusses the research and reality of why Canada needs a Disabilities Act.

A hand working on a UX wireframe
Blog
Want to Work in Design? Here are Five Things to Consider Before you do

For a lot of us who are natural creatives, what more of a dream would it be to do what we love? Working in design might seem like the best of both worlds, but the reality of combining work and play isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

Fort Langley Landscape
Blog
A Survival Guide to Living in the 1800s

Surviving in a trading fort in the wild west now known as British Columbia was tough in the 1800s. A time when 9 out of 10 of your meals would have been salmon and potatoes and grocery shopping would mean bringing a musket into the woods. Alexis, shares what she learned about surviving the 1800s. 

Mi Zhou
Blog
Four Tips for Dealing with Stress in the Workplace

It is easy to become stressed in an unfamiliar and fast-pace working environment, no matter which field you are in, but good strategies can help you reduce stress and learn to work more efficiently. Mi Zhou shares her tips from her co-op with OSI Maritime Systems.

the author against an SFU backdrop
Blog
Step by Step: Building Job Experience as an International Student

It isn’t always easy to get your first local job as an international student. However, there may be some short-cuts that you didn’t know about. Siyu Liu, a fourth-year business student, has  advice for fellow international students on how to build local work experience

girl with headphones on in radio station
Blog
Working for the CBC, My Favourite Moments, and Some Tips for Aspiring Journalists

From a young age, Ashley Fraser loved telling stories.  While studying communications at SFU she began to realise that journalism might be her future career and the CBC Peter Gzwoski internship opportunity was the perfect way to get her start. 

People sitting in fold out chairs arranged in a large circle having a discussion
Blog
Wandering Through the Ridiculous Darkness

What one fourth-year student discovered while wandering through the Ridiculous Darkness, searching for the right path in life, theatre, and the pursuit of happiness.

We Can Do It!
Blog
How to Satisfy Your Inner Activist

When people think about social justice, they think of things like protests or hunger strikes, but the options don’t end there. These volunteer organizations can help you satisfy your inner activist.

Workplace
Blog
Stress in Workplace? Tips for Reducing it

It is easy to become stressed in an unfamiliar and fast-pace working environment, no matter which field you are in. Good strategies not only help you reduce your uncomfortable feeling, but also lead you to learn faster and work efficiently. I spent one year in OSI Maritime Systems as a mechanical engineering co-op student, and I have concluded 4 tips that are essential for anyone who struggling with stress at work!

Raman
Blog
Do You Fear Working in Software?

I used to be afraid of applying for software related co-ops, let alone working in software development/testing environments. In this article, I am going over my journey about how I overcame that fear and got into a software co-op.

Photo of Tony Botelho and Albert Fung
Blog
How Volunteering Can Help You: With Tony Botelho and Albert Fung

In this article, Jien discusses volunteerism through Tony Botelho and Albert Fung of SFU’s Career and Volunteer Services. Read more to explore the benefits of volunteering for students with and without disabilities.

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

RADIUS SFU Building in Vancouver
Blog
One-Step Start Up: SFU’s Solutions to Your Big Questions

Ever had a business idea and thought it was worth a shot? These resources can help you transform your business idea into reality.