When I first started at Simon Fraser University, I was happy that my school had a co-op program and I had heard that many students had positive co-op experiences.

However, as time gradually passed and I finally enrolled successfully into the co-op program last March, I realized that I could not find any relevant jobs because of my major: geography.

As I searched through the list of co-op jobs, I figured out that many science co-op jobs were related to environmental science. I realized that I was following the wrong path.

I immediately talked to my advisor and switched my major from geography with an environmental specialty to physical geography, and then to environmental science.

A  few months passed and I finally had two interviews last August. I did not expect to receive a placement, so I was shocked when I got a phone call from the co-op advisor, telling me I had an offer.

I was lucky to get a job in my co-op program because I got accepted into the program very late.

My key suggestion to students is not to give up. I kept applying to the job offers even though the job descriptions were not really in my area of study.

I would recommend students keep applying even though you may feel uncomfortable with the job or its description.

If you are invited to interviews, you have to keep in mind that the employers receive lots of applications and can only choose a few students to interview and only one will get an offer.

Do not be disappointed even when you do not get the job. You should evaluate any mistakes you have made and correct them.

To help with this process, I believe that schools should have more courses on real world experiences, such as writing resumés and cover letters, and preparing for interviews.

Workshops are not enough. I think there should be regular courses where students can be taught more efficiently and perhaps students would be able to apply to jobs after their resumés and cover letters are carefully checked by their peers.

Co-op jobs do not have to be run by the school, it could also be a direct contact made with the employer by students.

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