Anita's January
Week 2 Reflection
What was one learning objective or goal you had entering this co-op placement? Did you accomplish it? How so/why not?
One of my main goals when I started this co-op was to finish my work quickly while still keeping the quality high. The nationwide timeline for our project was three months, which might seem like a lot of time. But that mindset can lead to procrastination, and that’s something I needed to avoid. I wanted to focus on finishing tasks efficiently and not waste time, and this project helped me learn how to do that. It taught me how to take responsibility and “”be my own boss.””
Another goal I had was to learn how to adapt in a virtual environment and develop other important work-life skills, like communication, teamwork, and flexibility. Working virtually meant I had to get comfortable with new tools and find ways to stay connected with my team, even when we weren’t in the same place.
I definitely think I accomplished this goal. When I did my RPT presentation with Tanya and my co-op teacher, they both gave me good feedback and said I’d done a great job. They mentioned how well I managed my time and how I was able to adapt to the virtual work environment.
What is the most memorable thing about your placement at U+? It can be an interaction, a project, a skill. Explain it.
The most memorable part of my placement at U+ was actually feeling like I was part of a real team. At school, teams feel temporary, like they only exist for one project or assignment. But this felt different—it felt like a real commitment, where everyone was relying on each other and working toward something bigger.
It wasn’t just about getting work done; it was about building connections and feeling like I belonged. Being part of a team like this taught me how important collaboration is and how meaningful it can be when people trust and support each other. This experience is something I’ll definitely take with me in the future.
How has your co-op experience at U+ influenced your career aspirations? (Consider the roles you are open to take on, working model/location, uncompromisable workplace values, etc.)
As a creator/teacher assistant, and project lead, I had the chance to create six anti-bullying workshop slide decks, which really tested my creativity. I’m artistic when it comes to dance, but not so much with drawing or designing, so I usually stayed away from that. But this experience pushed me to think in different ways—not just about the design, but also about the material. I had to make sure the content was considerate of everyone. Since I already knew a lot about bullying, I had to be careful not to assume others knew the same things. I learned to be more mindful when creating material for others to make sure it was clear and relevant. Now I really value working on something creative and sharing my ideas with others. It’s something I didn’t expect to enjoy so much, but it’s definitely something I want to do more of.
As a team lead, Kevin and Tanya trusted me to manage the team, even when I didn’t trust myself. Their confidence in me helped me believe in myself more, and I realized I’m capable of leading a team. I actually enjoyed the responsibility, and it made me want to take on leadership roles in the future. Working virtually was another thing that stood out to me. At first, I was a bit anxious about everything being virtual since I tend to value in-person interaction, but I quickly learned that meaningful connections can still happen online—just in different ways. I became more creative with how I communicated with my team, whether it was through private messages, video calls, or shared workspaces. I realized that virtual collaboration doesn’t have to be limiting as long as you find ways to stay connected. This experience taught me the importance of flexibility and adapting to new ways of working, and I’ll carry this mindset forward in future projects. Whether I’m working in person or remotely, I’ll always focus on finding the best ways to connect and collaborate with others.
Write a six-word memoir about your co-op experience. (E.g., “the best routes are rarely pre-mapped.”)
Took the lead, learned, grew confidently.
