With Vancouver globally seen as one of the best cities to grow a start-up, understanding them is important to successfully navigate this city’s business environment. Although start-ups have their challenges, they also have an incredible culture you seldom find in large firms.
My First Co-op Experience
With this being my first co-op term, I didn’t really know what to expect. I didn’t know what to wear, how welcoming my coworkers would be, or what tasks I would be assigned. I quickly learned that this environment was very unique. Working for Glance Technologies not only gave me relevant work experience but also allowed me to grow as a professional and as a person. Here are a few tips I learned along the way.
1. Check Your Ego at the Door
One of the very first pieces of advice given to me by the Head of HR was to “check (my) ego at the door”. On some days, I would do things within my job description such as conduct market research, find data trends and email partners. On other days, I would work on things completely outside of my job description. I packed boxes, designed mugs, completed tradeshow registrations and unloaded the dishwasher.
Looking around, I realized that everyone at the start-up was taking on responsibilities outside of their job description to help the business succeed. Checking my ego at the door allowed me to be the team player that the start-up needed.
2. Understand the Work Culture
In the morning of my first day, I wore my favourite dress shoes, practiced my firm handshake and arrived 20 minutes early. My boss, Paola, gave me a tour and introduced me to my co-workers. She then invited me to have lunch with her at a nearby restaurant. Little did I know, I would be having lunch with the VP of Business and Client Development, the Chief Digital Officer as well as the Chief Financial Officer. I mean, how many co-op students could say they got this treatment on their first day? After lunch, we attended the company-wide meeting which was mainly meant to introduce me and the other 5 employees that had started that day.
It was clear from the dress code, lunch, and welcome meeting what this company was all about. This company thrives on collaboration which is fostered through a comfortable work environment. Glance Technologies wasn’t only about professionalism and image; this company’s work culture made everyone feel confident in being themselves regardless of who was around.
3. Always Provide Your Best Work
After a couple weeks of conducting research for the business development team on restaurant expenses and trends, I was invited to my first strategy meeting. I expected to sit in the corner of the room taking meeting minutes but instead walked into a meeting of executives analysing the research I had done. To say this was nerve-racking would have been an understatement.
How many other companies would allow work done by a co-op student to directly reach top executives? With start-ups having a smaller workforce, every assignment is multiplied in importance. To be successful, I constantly looked for ways to improve so I could give my best work.
Some Final Thoughts
Glance Technologies is made up of mix of people ranging in experience and backgrounds. Through this first co-op term, I was able to accomplish my learning goals and develop my skills largely because of the start-up environment supplied by this company. Start-ups may come with different challenges, but the rewards far outweigh the extra work.
Joshua Juni is a BBA Candidate with an intended concentration in Marketing and Human Resources. He believes that building strong friendships and staying self-motivated are the keys to finding success.
Within SFU, Joshua has served as a project coordinator and project manager for the Business Development department within the Student Marketing Association.
Joshua enjoys being involved with Rotaract, a not-for-profit organization focused on solving local and international social issues. In his free time, he enjoys staying active and coaching youth sports.