In Good Co-mpany

So this term I am on co-op by some divine miracle. Not taking this term for granted, I am also taking Microbiology (distance ed), a Monday night Physiology Lab, and coordinating the UW English Tutors Club. If you didn't know yet, I am currently working as a Marketing Associate at Co-operative Education and Career Services at UW. "What do you do?", you may ask (and many of you already have). Well, seeing as how I am interviewing for my position tomorrow, it can't be a bad thing that I've managed to narrow down my broad responsibilities to a few key points:

1. Event planning/coordination: Prepare event briefs, develop post-event surveys for internal review, attend meetings, and assist in leads followup (e.g. prepare communications templates and research key contacts in target organizations).

2. Undertake independent projects that are geared towards improving the usefulness/availability of marketing and/or sales tools. For example, conduct a SWOT Analysis of the Field Co-ordinator website. Looking into improving the organization and incorporating facilitative marketing materials.

3. Long-term team projects within the co-op student team of the Marketing&Communications Department. For example, we are creating a unified brand image for three very different publications and drawing up a proposal + cost summary for a new tradeshow booth design. Both very exciting projects!

4. Interview Duty Services: All co-op students at TC are scheduled for 3 hours at a time to either greet employers, work at the paging desk, or help coordinate phone interviews at the call centre.

The first few weeks, I started off with my lovely little packed lunches, 10pm bedtime, a disciplined studying schedule for managing my courses, an 8:00 wakeup time--and now none of that remains true to date. Anyways, as the title somewhat implies, I have been able to survive this term mainly because I am surrounded by great co-op co-workers at Tatham Centre.

1. Justina: When I first came into work, I saw her name tag in the cubicle right next to mine. I thought it must have been someone else--there's no way we're working beside each other! Lo and behold, she showed up and her supervisor tried to introduce us--"Oh, we already know each other." Don't you love when that happens? =) Anyways, for some reason in the first few weeks of the term, Justina and I always brought our lunches on the same days and forgot to pack it on the same days, so we always went over to the Festival Room for random meals. As Kyle says, we're N'SYNC. O_o. It was/still is quite an adventure to see what random dish they were going to serve today. Justina's job is pretty dependent on whether people have submitted their forms or not, so a lot of the time she is discovering hilarious new websites and thankfully has no problem sharing them with me, which is probably the only thing keeping me sane at work. Both of us have also decorated our ugly old-school computer monitors with random origami paraphernalia. We also stay an extra hour once in a while doing intense overtime tasks......

2. Cynthia: I didn't know this crazy little Asian very well before this work term, although we're also in the same program-ish. Trust me, now that I know her, I can still say SHE IS CRAZY. SHE GOES OUT AND DOWNS BEERS LIKE NO TOMORROW. FRIDAY NIGHTS--YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND HER! But seriously, Cynthia's such a nice, cute person, you can't help but make fun of her and want to hang around such a nice person. She also asks the funniest questions, "Okay, so tell me is _____ a guy or a girl?!?!?!?!" I have recently converted her to the religion: Euchremania.

3. Qi: My fellow Marketing&Communications buddy! Poor Qi is always stuck updating her brutal excel inventory of the CECS website, so I try to send her entertaining emails or pay her visits as often as I remember to. To be honest, when I first met Qi, I thought she was a very serious Asian--one has to be if they're in Math and Business Double Degree right?!--WRONG. Qi's so hilarious because she makes the driest comments when you least expect them. She's also very smart and down-to-earth. Normally, I get along better with guys because they're less ditzy, but Qi can make guys seem ditzy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying she's MANLY--no, that's apparently my job--you should see her play badminton; she drives the bird over the net and then manages to pull off that Asian sign so well without looking like an annoying fob. ^-^V
Interesting Fact: I recognized that Qi lived on my street within the first few days because I recognized her distinctive red Coach purse. THAT'S RIGHT I AM THE PRO CREEPER. No, seriously--no one appreciates brand names fashion and style more than Qi (mind you, an appreciation practiced in healthy moderation).

4. Cathy: If I had to vouch for anyone's dedication and hard work in TC, it would be for Cathy. She always takes a half lunch and stays late whenever she has to hang around campus for class anyway. At first glance, Cathy seems like a shy, quiet Asian. Wrong. Again. Not only is she a valuable employee, but she is also a great friend and fun to hang around. However, I am extremely mad at her because she has shown up to 1 out of our 4 outings--NOT A PASSING GRADE--forget Macroecon, Cathy. Come to the darkside; we have cookies. ^-^

5. Brian: So after I talk about this co-worker, I'll talk about the guys--oh wait, I completely forgot Brian was a guy because he's always showing up to the outings when all the other guys ditch!! My first impression of Brian was that he was a nerd, only hanging out with us to invite us to play DS during our breaks. Annnd my impression hasn't changed--just kidding. Brian's a nice guy, my mixed doubles buddy, and my partner in crime for bullying Cynthia. *high five, Brian Kim Chi.

6. Matt: Okay, this is the only person at CECS that I do not like AT ALL. Like seriously. He always makes me laugh, he makes amazing lunches for himself every day, and he visits me at least twice a day just to say what's up. I call him my guidance counsellor for what English courses to (not) take. Seriously, how can you not hate him too? P.S. He and Cathy are tied at a failing grade of 25%. Tsk.Tsk.Tsk.

So yeah, pretty much I've made some amazing friends at CECS. At the beginning of the term, I was a little hesitant about going on co-op outings--like oh man things are going to be so awkward! Nothing against these people or my first impressions of them, but I'm just not that good at getting to know new people. Now that I know them much better and our hangouts have become a must (instead of some strange networking/co-worker courtesy thing), I hope our new-found friendships are meant to last us through our dreaded extended education here in UW.

Thank you, co-op. We indeed have a love-hate relationship going on here.