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30 Sep, 2022
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Maximizing Your Potential: A Guide to Resume Writing for Co-op
As a University of Waterloo student, chances are that you are a part of the co-op program and creating a strong resume is an important step in finding your first co-op position. Whether you have previous work experience or not, here is a list of some ideas and tips on what you can include in your resume!
For students with work experience:
- Highlight your relevant work experience: Make sure to highlight the experiences that are most relevant to the position you are applying for. Focus on sharing the transferable skills you gained from those experiences instead of just the tasks you completed.
- Use keywords: Companies may use application tracking systems to scan resumes. Make sure to include keywords in your resume that are related to the job posting and the industry.
- Things to consider would be programs that you have experience with (eg. the coding program R), terminology that is common in your major, or specific words used in the job posting that you could use to describe yourself and your experiences.
- Quantify your achievements: Include specific examples and numbers of your achievements in your previous roles to provide a better understanding of the impact you made in your previous position.
- Keep it concise: Your resume should not be more than one or two pages–focus on the most relevant information for the specific job posting!
For students without work experience:
- Highlight your academic achievements: This includes relevant coursework, and any academic awards or honours you have received that demonstrate skills or knowledge. Remember that skills learned at university are most important to a potential employer (do not discredit the work you do at university in favour of a high school position you held for a few months in customer service for example).
- Emphasize transferable skills: Even if you don't have work experience, you likely have transferable skills that can be applied to the job you're seeking. Add these to your resume but make sure that instead of listing the skills, you share the action you took that demonstrates the skill.
- Examples of transferable skills include: leadership skills, critical thinking, teamwork experience, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities.
- Include relevant extracurricular activities: Activities such as clubs and teams can also be mentioned in the resume. They show that you are a well-rounded individual with a variety of skills and interests, demonstrate transferable skills and can also be beneficial if the activity is related to the position you are applying for.
- Use a skills-based format: Throughout the resume focus on your skills and abilities developed through school, extracurriculars, passion projects, etc., rather than your work history.
TIP: Create a master resume that lists all of your experiences and information you wish to share. Then, remove information as needed to create a targeted resume for the job posting. Also use the cover letter to your advantage by mentioning your interest, highlight your strengths, and share why you are a suitable candidate for the role.
Additional resources:
You can visit the Writing and Communications Centre if you want your resume proof-read, or want any personalized advice for resume writing!
- Checklist:
- Resume for co-op:
Whether you have work experience or not, make sure to highlight your relevant experiences, skills, and achievements to show that you are a strong candidate for the position you are applying for. Good luck!
Getting the Most out of your Library Visit:
Features of St. Jerome’s Library you may have been missing.
Whether you've visited to take out a book or just study with friends, you have likely yet to experience all that St. Jerome’s Library has to offer. So, before too much more time passes without experiencing all that makes this space great, read below for some interesting and helpful features of the St. Jerome's Library that will make your visit here even better.
Book Group Study Spaces
Have you ever arrived at the library to study with friends and all the spaces were filled? That doesn’t have to happen again! With the library’s online group study room booking system, you can book a group study space in the library for 2 – 6 people for up to 2 hours, so you can be sure to have space for all your group project needs.
Inter-Library Loans
Did you know that as a UW student, you have access to books, journals and other materials from any of Waterloo’s library partners across Ontario? That means that if you cannot find what you’re looking for here at UW, you can request it from another library and have it sent to any library location here on campus. Check out the following site to learn how to borrow your books today!
To make it even better, you can also request to receive your books by mail. If you are off campus and need materials from ours or our partners’ libraries, be sure to set the location on the library website to “Books by Mail” and you can get your materials mailed to your front door for free!
Access Free Movies, Newspapers, and Magazines
Why pay for movies and magazines when you can be getting them for free, just for being a student? Using your WatCard, you can access movies on various streaming services, including Kanopy and Criterion for free. Looking for the latest issue of your favourite magazine or newspaper? You can also access free, full-colour newspapers and magazines through PressReader.
Reference Help
Have you ever been assigned a project and simply didn’t know where to start? From best research practices to how to access the scholarly references you need, the Librarians at St. Jerome’s library are here to help you!
Board Games
Looking for something to do on a snowy afternoon? How about a board game with friends? At the St. Jerome’s Library, you can check out board games or play them in one of our common spaces.
Fun Events!
The library is more than a place to take out books and study. The St. Jerome's library also hosts fun events, from dramatic readings of classic novels to chess games and even water paint workshops. Be sure to follow @stjeromesuni_library and @sjulead on Instagram to stay up to date with all upcoming events!
5 Tips to Help You Succeed Academically in University
One of the major obstacles I faced when starting university, especially throughout my first year, was making the best of my courses. As a university student, you're faced with a lot of challenges and responsibilities. Managing your time and studying effectively are crucial for academic success. Here are a few tips to help you succeed academically in university!
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Find a good study environment:
The place you decide to study at has a big impact on your productivity. I find that a quiet, distraction-free location works best for me (this includes the library, a study room, or outdoors if the weather permits), but the ideal spot looks different for everyone! Take some time to find what works best for you.
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Get involved in class:
Getting involved during class by participating in discussions and asking questions allows you to better understand the material, build relationships with your professors, as well as your peers. All of this ultimately can help you get more out of lectures by making it easier to remember material or clarify any areas of the material that you may be unsure about. In fact, actively engaging with the material, rather than passively reading it, is proven to help memorization and understanding!
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Create a schedule:
One of the most important things you can do to succeed academically is to create a schedule and stick to it. A well-made schedule enables you to prioritize important tasks and allows you to make sure you are not spending more time on a task than needed. Plan out your lecture times, study sessions, and any other commitments you have each week. I find creating a weekly schedule and sticking to it extremely beneficial—it keeps me organized and on track.
Here are a few resources that can help you get started!
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Take breaks:
Breaks are another area that you may want to add to your schedule. Taking regular breaks while studying gives your mind a chance to relax and recharge, so you can do your best for the next study session or task without getting tired.
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Seek help when needed:
It’s not uncommon to need help with academics. If you are having any difficulties with a particular subject or concept, don't be afraid to ask for help! Your professors, TA’s, peers, and us PALs are here to support you!
By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to academic success in university. Don’t forget to reach out to the PALs through @sjulead on Instagram for any questions and guidance. Good luck!
November 2022 – Best study break ideas - Just in time for exam season.
Hey SJ! With the holidays just around the corner, you know what that means... exams are here too!
While this is a stressful time for everyone, from submitting final assignments to studying for final exams, it is also an important time to prioritize taking intentional study breaks to bring your best self to your next study session. Luckily, the PALs have compiled some simple and effective study break ideas to carry with you this exam season.
Plan a quick meet-up with a friend at The Funcken!
Sometimes the pressures of exam season and upcoming due dates can make us feel isolated, causing us more stress. Why not meet up with a friend for a quick chat and snacks at The Funcken? Located right at the heart of St. Jerome’s campus, this will let you take a short break away from your laptop, catch up with friends going through similar exam season stresses, and enjoy a cozy drink or snack before reviewing your next chapter.
Take a walk at Waterloo Park
We all know that taking walks in nature help us to reduce stress…but sometimes we forget to actually do it. This exam season, instead of getting caught up in scrolling through Instagram or finding yourself in a rabbit hole of TikTok’s, head over to Waterloo Park for a change of scenery, some fresh air, and some vitamin D before you start your next assignment.
The best part? Since it is located just next to campus, it does not take away too much time from your studying if you are looking for a quick break. My tip if you’re crunched on time but still want to visit the park is to set a timer on your phone for when to head home or back to campus, so that you don’t lose track of time while enjoying the scenery.
Attend SJU community events
Who knew, you don’t even have to look past SJU to find fun (and free) study break ideas! The amazing student leaders here at SJU host regular activities right here in residence just for you. Whether weekly intramurals, craft nights, or a trip to the Waterloo Christmas market, the Student Activities team is always planning ways for you to connect with your fellow residents and/or classmates!
Make sure that you’re following @sjulead for updates on their latest events.
Stop by the PALs study sessions
Did you know that that PALs host weekly study sessions right here on campus? Whether you’re looking for some advice from upper-year students, study guidance, or any academic-related question, the PALs are here for you.
These sessions are also a great opportunity to take a study break! You can head over to any of the PALs sessions to chat with the PALs and meet other students.
From all of us PALs, we wish you all the best for this upcoming exam season, and hope you take some of these ideas with you when looking for a study break.
Don’t forget to reach out to the PALs through @sjulead for any questions and guidance throughout this exam season.
September 2022 - Best places to study on SJU campus!
With the first month of term finished, we all have to start thinking about our upcoming midterm season! I find I study best when I leave my room and go somewhere on campus. This removes me from distractions from my personal life, and tells my brain that once on campus it’s time to work. Here are my top locations to study on campus to hopefully give you some inspiration when studying for your next midterm!
Individual Studying:
SJU Library
When I really need to sit down and get stuff done, I always head to the SJU library, specifically the top floor of the library in the cubicles. With the three walls around the desk, you can really focus in on your work and not see what anyone else is doing. This is great during crunch time when you’ve procrastinated and now you just need to finish the assignments.
Group Studying:
Funken Café
I love the Funken! This warm environment is perfect for meeting up with friends or classmates to chat through the course work. With the added bonus of coffee/tea/snacks right in front of you, this is great for some social time mixed with work. I love meeting my classmates here and having a meeting over some coffee as we decide our next step in the group project.
Somewhere In Between:
Sweeney Lounge
Sweeney lounge is our student lounge filled with comfy chairs and stools. This is a great mix between the individualist nature of the library and the social aspect of the Funken. It’s much quieter than the café, but you might run into someone you know if you stay in the lounge long enough. With the added bonus of big comfy chairs, this is a great place to sit for a few hours and get some readings done.
Hopefully this list has helped you think of some other places to study outside of your bedroom, and maybe some motivation to get some studying done! If you have any questions about studying/exam prep/writing assignments etc. feel free to reach out to the PALs on @sjulead on Instagram. These student leaders are happy to help answer your questions or provide you resources so you have the completed the best work possible for this term.