[SFU OLC Blog] 5 Quick Q&As with a Master of Economics Co-op Student

Ata Malfuzi

SFU Student Graduate

/ 16 June 2022 /

man standing in front of sign that says "KPMG"

Just keep searching and keep applying; you never know which application will be the one that lands you the job. Having a good resume and cover letter helps, but the most important thing is consistency.

1) Can you tell us a bit about yourself? What is your educational background, major/program, etc.?

My name is Ata Malfuzi; I have a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.A. in Theoretical Economics. I am now doing my second M.A. in Economics at SFU.

2) What’s your new co-op job and how are the first few weeks going?

I work at KPMG Canada’s Risk Consulting division with the Blockchain and Cryptoassets team. I have enjoyed the first month because of KPMG Canada’s national onboarding process (KNOX) and the Buddy program, which has made my onboarding process and getting familiar with the team and environment smooth and enjoyable.

3) What was the hiring process like for the position, and what did you most appreciate about it?

I applied online through a posting on LinkedIn and went through two stages of highly technical interviews with the Blockchain and Cryptoassets team. I liked the efficiency they communicated with me and the planning for the meetings. The interview questions were also related to the work I am doing now.

4) What are you looking forward to the most in this co-op position?

I am enjoying the friendly and professional culture of KPMG Canada and all the learning I am experiencing. The great thing about working for one of the big fours is the scale of projects and initiatives that you get involved with that you may not be able to find in other companies.

What would you want to tell students who are going into or searching for their first co-op?

Beyond the Blog

Participants and Contributors

Tags:

First Weeks on the Job

Job Search

Professional Development

Student Success

Workplace Success

Master of Economics

Co-operative Education

Arts + Social Sciences Economics

Ata Malfuzi

SFU Student Graduate

Connect with Ata on LinkedIn

474

Jun 16, 2022

Posts by Author

Emma standing in front of the pond at SFU Burnaby

Blog

A Co-op Student’s Guide to Media Relations

During the Work Term, Workplace Success, Workplace Transition, Life Experience, Major Decisions, Professional Development

Like many Communications students, I came into the School of Communication very interested in media; both studying it and working in it. I found it harder and harder to pinpoint where I could fit into it professionally as I learned more about it. What do you do when you’re interested in media, but not sure you want to work directly in media?

Emma Jean

396

A phone on the home screen where the apps for Twitter, Facebook and Instagram can be seen

Blog

Tips for Effective Social Media Marketing

Workplace Success, Professional Development, During the Work Term, Life Experience, Major Decisions, Marketing

When promoting events and news on social media on behalf of a club, service, or business, the main goal is to get as many eyes as possible on the content. One of my tasks in my 8-month Co-op position was to post updates on their social media accounts, which includes job postings, upcoming events, and special announcements. Over these months, I was able to find useful strategies and tools to help me manage these profiles effectively and efficiently.

Hana Hoffman

192

Co-op students standing outside around a sign that says "SFU"

Blog

Event Planning 101: 3 Tips for Planning an Event even Gen-Z’s will Enjoy

Major Decisions, Workplace Success, Public Speaking, During the Work Term, Preparing for a Work Term, Professional Development

Coming into this Co-op position as an Outreach, Promotion, and Engagement Coordinator for SFU’s School of Communication, I was not expecting to gain any sort of event planning experience. Creating an event for our incoming students for Fall 2023, was a brand-new concept that flourished this semester.

Melody Azimi

166

You Might Like These... Co-op Reflections, Professional Development, First Weeks on the Job, Workplace Success

Person standing in front of a sunset with their arms opened wide

Memories of Boot Camp

Co-op Reflections, Professional Development, First Weeks on the Job, Workplace Success

When Adam accepted the position of Fire Information Officer for the BC Forest Service, he knew that the job might entail long hours, a steep learning curve and a major lifestyle adjustment. What he did not know was that the whole experience would set off with a week at firefighter boot camp. Read Adams story about surviving bootcamp.

Adam Brayford

148

My First Month

Co-op Reflections, Professional Development, Workplace Success, First Weeks on the Job, Marketing

This blog will chronicle the next eight months as I complete my second and third co-op terms as a member of the TELUS Marcomm team. My first co-op term was in Fall 2010 when I spent four months as the web intern for the Vancouver Canucks.

Elizabeth Moffat

102

a group of people sitting around in a circle talking

Introductions, Rules and Learning Objectives

First Weeks on the Job, Communication, Student Success, Workplace Success

The following article is the first in a three-part series on how Co-op supervisors can make the most of a Co-op experience with their student. Part one focuses on introductions and expectations, and how to build your students learning objectives.

Caroline Wakelin

180

You Might Like These... Co-op Reflections

The First 100 Days of Co-op

Co-op Reflections

Congratulations! You got the job offer, but now what? The first 100 days of a new job are critical for your future success -- whether that means leading a project or simply showing your team that you are an eager learner. This blog will show you how to make the most of your first 100 days on the job.

Susan Nguyen

out of focus image of a binder and man in the background with the tagline: .... first week on the job?

What To Do: Your First Week On the Job

Preparing for a Work Term

You’ve applied for the job, gone through the interview, been selected, and now you’re ready to begin your first week on the job! But are you? Read John's tips on how to prepare for your first weeks on the job!

John Grant

204

8 Valuable Lessons I Learned from Working an Office Job

Life Experience

Working in a full-time position in an office involves a lot of online communication and file management, thus staying organized is the key to success. In my job specifically, my main tasks were replying to emails and messages on social media as well as posting on the platforms, creating a monthly newsletter, designing promotional graphics, and updating webpages. But no matter the occupation, whether you’re a worker or a student, these tips may help you stay organized and be effective.

Hana Hoffman

203