Alexa Saleski, Social Responsibility Student, Federated Co-operative Limited

Federated Co-operatives Limited has made a large number of accommodations to ensure I am still able to work, learn, and be a part of the team. These modifications include; providing a take-home laptop to have access work servers and programs as well as daily check-ins and team meetings via Microsoft Teams to continue communication. I still have the opportunity to be assigned to and complete projects from a distance thanks to the company’s accommodations. My team has hosted virtual lunch events and happy hours to make sure we are still staying connected at this time. 

Sharunitha Jaisankar, MBA Intern, Nutrien

Nutrien ensured that everyone had all the necessities to continue working from and keep us informed of changes. Something I appreciate: The CEO and his team hold weekly employee webcast series where they provide COVID-19 updates and answer questions from Nutrien employees. As for my daily work, my supervisor took immediate steps to ensure that I have received remote access and other devices to work from home. After starting to work from home, he often checks in and offers to help if there are any difficulties. 

Bryce Waslak, Enterprise Procurement Coordinator, University of Saskatchewan

My workplace has been very accommodating. In my department, we have meetings three times a week where our supervisor keeps us informed on items in particular to procurement and the University. I have to shout out to my supervisor for being a good leader in this pandemic. He’s very supportive and understanding of our team, he individually checks on our wellbeing and makes sure we have the best tools to remain connected. 

Adam Paziuk, Credit Analyst, Canpotex

My daily process has been the exact same working from home, and I can confidently say my productivity has stayed the same. The major difference is that all the meetings are now online and not in person, which was a simple transition for the company because we already have online meetings in the office with our company stationed in different parts of the world. 

Kassidy Yockey, Wealth Associate, Thrive Wealth Management

We’ve really tried to push virtual client meetings over the phone, via Microsoft teams, or another method the client would prefer. In this process, we’ve had to become more dependant on our electronic systems which has challenged us to think differently. It’s challenging to work at home where you lack the office rapport, odd jobs, and routines. These things that make up part of our day are missing, so adjusting my workload to try and work more during those “breaks” has been an interesting process. 

Natasha Layton, Special Events Coordinator, Parkinson Canada

At the beginning of my work term, the main focus of my workload was on planning our events, but since this pandemic and the canceling of all events, my workload has shifted heavily onto social media. From the beginning, I was in charge of our local Facebook page as well as the National SuperWalk Facebook and Twitter page. Now, I am still creating content for those pages but have also taken on many tasks for the National (our head office) page as well as collaborating with all the local offices across Canada. 

Isabelle Cook, Social Media/Marketing Intern, International Rural Exchange Canada

The key to keeping yourself positive during this time is to find hobbies and activities to fill your day. Nothing makes me feel worse than sitting on Instagram for hours wasting the day away. Since working remotely, I have been painting, learning the fiddle, playing board games with my family, dancing, exercising, and going for walks. It is important to give yourself activities that have a progression and give you a sense of accomplishment.

Leon Zhu, Student Auditor, Provincial Auditor of Saskatchewan

If the weather's nice, I go on a short walk making sure that I keep a proper social distance from others. I try to also set aside time after work to do something fun like learning a language on Duolingo. 

Inalie Portades, Communications Coordinator, University Relations, University of Saskatchewan

During these uncertain times, I realized that taking care of my physical and mental health is more important than ever. I value the importance of physical activity and go for a walk and run twice a day. I also take the time to connect with my loved ones. To stay connected at all times, I make sure to talk to them via online chat. Since this time is also a great way to improve cooking skills, my family experiments in the kitchen and cooks more portions to share and deliver to our loved ones. ().

Dhanush Balakrishnan, Food Operations Student, Federated Cooperative Limited

Social distancing means, keeping six feet apart from one another, and always maintain personal space. It also means keeping your hands clean and washing hands as much as possible. When going for walks or jogs, to be cautious of the other people that are doing the same. 

Adam Paziuk, Credit Analyst, Canpotex

Social distancing, for me, means staying home as much as physically possible and only going out for the essentials, which for me is groceries. 

Sharunitha Jaisankar, MBA Intern, Nutrien

Social Distancing is a step that each and every one of us have to take during this unprecedented time of COVID-19. This means that we have to maintain a physical distance from each other in order to keep ourselves and our families safe.  

Brandon Eshelby, Tax, Treasury, and Investor Relations Co-op Student, Cameco

The thing I am looking forward to the most is simply the freedom of going out honestly. Seeing my friends again will be great and all, but just the ability to keep on doing what we got to do before the pandemic is what I look forward to the most. 

Bryce Waslak, Enterprise Procurement Coordinator, University of Saskatchewan

What I look forward to is travelling. I was planning on studying abroad in Stockholm, Sweden, after my Co-op Program. Lastly, I look forward to hopefully returning to the workplace before my program is over. 

Kassidy Yockey, Wealth Associate, Thrive Wealth Management

I look forward to getting back to a “normal” routine. I can’t wait to see my grandparents, go shopping in the stores, and be able to venture outside without fear. Also very much looking forward to hugs!

Alexa Saleski, Social Responsibility Student, Federated Co-operative Limited

Having taken commerce classes, I am equipped with the skills necessary to time manage and complete necessary tasks. I am proud to be working in an innovative industry that can adapt to such large environmental changes; it speaks to the integrity of its business model. 

Leon Zhu, Student Auditor, Provincial Auditor of Saskatchewan

Working from home means that I have to send more emails than before, so the COMM 100 class has definitely helped in that area. Some of the objectives that I wanted to achieve in my co-op program I still find myself using on a day to day basis as well.

Inalie Portades, Communications Coordinator, University Relations, University of Saskatchewan

During our Friday co-op workshops every morning, introducing ourselves has helped relieve my anxiety talking in front of a lot of people. This simulates a similar experience and has prepared me for when we have virtual meetings with a big attendance during my placement. Many of the commerce classes have been very beneficial, but one that stands out during this time would be Comm 100. I have effectively learned how to draft professional emails and methods of communication when talking with people over the phone.