A Love Letter to My Time at SFU Public Square
By Sofia Sokic, Communications Assistant
Dear Reader,
I am approaching the end of my time at SFU and what I think is the longest work-study term of any SFU student in history. At least, that's what it feels like to me (in a very positive way!) So, I wanted to write you a letter reflecting on my time at Public Square and what it has meant to me over the past two years.
The work-study program at SFU allows students to engage in research opportunities related to their fields of study, while also prioritizing their class schedules. SFU Public Square has been home to many work-study students, with opportunities ranging from event planning to social media coordinating. As a student in the School of Communication at SFU, this office was the perfect fit for me as, in the near future, I would love to be working in sports marketing (馃檹manifesting my dream job馃檹). This position has been so helpful to me as it affirmed my career aspirations, and I learned valuable skills that I can take with me as I enter the job market in a few months.
Here鈥檚 how it all started: it was the summer of 2023, and some close friends of mine told me that I could apply to get bursaries. Naturally, I was ecstatic as I had just moved out of my parents' house and was a struggling server, so having some supplemental income would be incredibly helpful. Soon after, I received an email saying I had been accepted to the 鈥渨ork-study program鈥� because of my early submission to bursaries (during a certain period of applications, students can apply to both bursaries and work-study in tandem). I thought to myself that I may as well apply since everyone knows work experience is crucial during university, and this could be the perfect opportunity. Fast forward a few weeks and I was sitting in a Zoom interview with Seth, SFU Public Square鈥檚 Program Manager, and Gabby, the Communications Manager. I was scared and nervous because this was my first time interviewing for a job that would fit with what I was studying and could mean something to my career. To my delight, the interview went incredibly well, and I was accepted to start in Fall 2023.
Since then, I have been a part of many SFU Public Square events, whether that be program organizing, making comms kits, and/or working the events themselves. There are three events that specifically left a lasting impression on me. The first being GHETTO: How Can We Live Together? which was held at the Museum of Vancouver about a week after I started at Public Square. The event focused on how Canadian cities can accommodate refugees through architecture, and it was interesting to see a new perspective on how urban planners can help newcomers while changing the course of increased pollution.
The next impactful event was the Dean鈥檚 Lecture on Information + Society with Safiya Noble, where I learned about the concept of 鈥渁lgorithmic oppressions鈥� and how even technologies have social systems of bias when it comes to race, class, gender, and politics. I loved this lecture, and speaking with Dr. Noble afterwards about women in social media and tech was incredibly interesting.
Lastly, one of our more recent events, Science World Spotlights: Misinformation and the Toxic Drug Crisis, was particularly interesting because I had taken a few communications classes on misinformation, so the event built upon the insights I had already learned. The panelists spoke about the effects of misinformation in our society and what it has done to those suffering in the toxic drug crisis. This event was also the inspiration behind my favorite blog I have written, The Crisis of Misinformation and the Possibility of Prevention, which dives deeper into the definition of misinformation and how it can be combated. Overall, these are just some of the many events that I loved being a part of, and I鈥檓 so happy I was able to contribute to community building and learning at SFU and beyond.
I鈥檒l take so much away from my time with this team, including personal growth and professional development. Going from 鈥淩esearch assistant鈥� to 鈥淐ommunications assistant鈥� was one of my proudest accomplishments and moments at SFU Public Square. But I think my favorite title in the office was that of
I was the one-stop-shop for all things Tik Tok, from trends to editing, and I loved being able to use an app that I had been on since I was 14 in a professional setting. Really, the best part of this job has been the creative freedom that I was given. From my silly Tik Toks to my blogs, my co-workers at SFU Public Square were always supportive from start to finish.
Which leads me to the most important part of this reflection, my specials thanks.
I鈥檇 like to begin by acknowledging the amazing people I have worked with throughout my five semesters at SFU Public Square. Seth, Gabby, Janet, Nola, Ahmed, Evan, Termeh, Silvana, Gabe, Ina, and Athena鈥搚ou have all left a lasting impact on me that I will carry throughout my career and life.
And I want to thank you all for being a part of my Tik Tok adventures, no matter how ridiculous. Especially Janet, our Executive Director, for being so on board with all my wacky ideas, and her humour inspiring so many videos.
I want to write an extra special thanks to Seth, for believing in me and always being so supportive. Thank you for being open to teaching me so many new things and being such a kind and positive light for me in the office and outside of it.
And finally, to Gabby, my comms mentor and inspiration of who I want to be in my future career and how I鈥檇 like to treat others around me. Your kindness, understanding, and compassion when taking the time to teach me so many new skills are something I admire so much in you. I don鈥檛 know if you鈥檒l ever understand the scope of the impact you鈥檝e had on me these past few semesters. Thank you for all you鈥檝e done for me.
In April, I鈥檒l bid Public Square my final goodbye, and as I do that, I'll continue to cherish everything I鈥檝e learned and all that I have seen. I hope you have enjoyed this letter as much as I鈥檝e enjoyed my time as a work-study student.