Co-op Term: Spring 2021

1.    Where did you work (Department/Organization name and location)?

I worked in the Environmental Microbiology Research lab at the BC Centre for Disease Control in Vancouver BC.

2.    What was your role (what type of work did you do)? What were some of your responsibilities?

I worked on a prospective study to quantify SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater from across the lower mainland. I was mainly responsible for extracting nucleic acids from the wastewater samples, testing them using quantitative PCR and then analysing, interpreting, and reporting the results on a weekly basis.

3.    How did the skills/knowledge developed in the classroom apply to your job? What did you learn?

During my co-op term I used many lab techniques that I was introduced to in my labs and coursework at SFU. I got to build on these techniques and really solidify them while gaining an understanding of the theory and reasoning behind them. Examples of some of these techniques were RNA extraction, qPCR procedures, general microbiology techniques and aseptic technique, data interpretation,  and knowledge translation.

4.    Can you share a challenge you faced in your Co-op and how you overcame it?

One challenge I faced during my co-op was the steep learning curve required for understanding the research and the methods, which felt like learning a whole new language. Through reading papers, googling dumb questions and terms I didn’t know, and asking as many questions as possible to anyone and everyone, I quickly became much more able to bring meaningful ideas to the table for discussion.

5.    What was your most memorable Co-op experience?

My most memorable co-op experience so far was probably creating an environmental microbiology-themed Kahoot for my lab to play at the summer barbecue, or defrosting an extremely frosty freezer with a chisel and a sledgehammer alongside two other co-ops/friends.

6.    What have you learned through your Co-op experience?

Too many things to count. I’ve learned what types of work I enjoy, as well as what types of work I don’t enjoy as much. I’ve gained a more realistic idea of possible career paths and insights into where I could one day end up, and I’ve met some really incredible people along the way. I’ve also learned extremely important things like which bacterial species smells like artificial grapes (it’s Pseudomonas aeruginosa, just in case you were wondering).

7.    What advice do you have for future Co-op students?

Applying to and eventually acquiring co-op positions can be daunting and take a lot of time and energy, but the work term itself makes it worth it a thousand times over. Also, talk to and get to know everyone you can when you’re on your work term! I have only begun to learn how invaluable those connections can be and I definitely feel less anxious about my job prospects following graduation because of that alone.