The other night I was watching one of my favourite John Hughes movies on TV – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. In the final scene of the film, Ferris says the now famous closing lines: “Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
I couldn’t help but be reminded of student life when recalling those last words. As co-op students, most of us are in five-year programs, which may seem like a lifetime when you’re consumed with everything relating to academic and work terms, but before you know it you’ll have graduated. Hopefully by then you will have many valuable co-op experiences to look back on.
Although our work terms are only 4 months in length, within this short time frame we receive a wealth of information about working in different industries. The terms go by fast, but it’s important to take Ferris’ advice and make the most of the short time that you have before you realize it’s over.
This issue is all about co-op students who have taken advantage of their brief time in co-op and made lasting impressions on their employers. Like Numaira Obaid, whose hard work and dedication during her first work term resulted in a full-time job offer. Also, meet six students who spent this past Fall term working at a boarding school in Switzerland with a gorgeous view of the Swiss alps every day (not your average work term!). Don’t forget to read about two students – Deb Roth and Ivan Surnin – and their experiences in northern Quebec, where their academic backgrounds were put to good use. If you want to make a lasting impact on your own co-op job, don’t miss our Career Corner article on powerful communication in the workplace.
Co-op terms allow us to get so much more out of our university experience, so make sure you stop and take it all in before you depart, degree in hand.
Read this issue of the Inside sCo-op...Inside sCo-op, Winter 2011, ed.1 (PDF)
