I started packing very early, for fear that at the last minute I might forget something important. So right now there isn't a whole lot I can do but wait. I've got my computer packed and ready for shipment. So right now I'm using my old laptop which I don't plan on bringing.
Tip for those planning on shipping their computer like me. If you don't have the original box and packaging it came in, and you're doing January co-op, then start looking for a box well before Christmas. Found out the hard way that most shipping companies run low on boxes because of the Christmas rush to get presents to families. If you ask, they can give you the number and address of the company they buy their boxes from, and you can buy a box that fits from them. Of course, you can always ask places for unwanted boxes, especially non-big-box computer stores. Luckilly my brother had a box at his work that fit my computer with only a few minor alterations.
As of now I'm spending most of my time doing little things. Cleaning up, working off all the holiday food, and playing all the old LucasArts and Sierra DOS games on my laptop since that's all that I have that can play on it right now. I still have a few last minute things to get done, but I'm glad 95% of the packing is done.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Preperations
Syncrude has a pretty handy guide for getting ready for the trip. It has step by step procedures for getting accommodations, plane ticket, and what information they needed ready for when I arrive.
They require I make a health assessment before the start of work. I simply needed to call in and make an appointment. Afterwards I made a call to their travel bookings, told them when my health assessment appointment was, and they quickly booked me for a flight the day just prior to my appointment.
There was a form I needed to fill out so and email back which let the people in charge of finding residence for the co-op students make an informed decision on who we get paired up with. There is a section that asks what I would most likely be doing after work hours which included various outdoor activities like hiking and such. I got a chuckle since for the majority of my time there it will probably be too cold to do 90% of the items on the list. Since the form was a completely editable Microsoft Word document, I just made my own list. I'm surprised that the original list did not include "Symbiotically bound to my computer". I probably would have checked that one, Ha.
The guide also gives information on the buses that will be taking us to and from work. Also they give you the site for the Fort McMurray public transit map.
Unrelated to all this info, I do plan on posting photos, considering this blog is text-only at the moment. I just need something to take photos of. Not much to take photos of when I haven't arrived yet.
They require I make a health assessment before the start of work. I simply needed to call in and make an appointment. Afterwards I made a call to their travel bookings, told them when my health assessment appointment was, and they quickly booked me for a flight the day just prior to my appointment.
There was a form I needed to fill out so and email back which let the people in charge of finding residence for the co-op students make an informed decision on who we get paired up with. There is a section that asks what I would most likely be doing after work hours which included various outdoor activities like hiking and such. I got a chuckle since for the majority of my time there it will probably be too cold to do 90% of the items on the list. Since the form was a completely editable Microsoft Word document, I just made my own list. I'm surprised that the original list did not include "Symbiotically bound to my computer". I probably would have checked that one, Ha.
The guide also gives information on the buses that will be taking us to and from work. Also they give you the site for the Fort McMurray public transit map.
Unrelated to all this info, I do plan on posting photos, considering this blog is text-only at the moment. I just need something to take photos of. Not much to take photos of when I haven't arrived yet.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Knowledge
To be honest, I really didn't know much about Fort McMurray, even it's very existence until I heard about the Syncrude co-op. All I knew was that if I got the job I'd have to move there to work. I figured I'd have to go through this big explanation of where it was, and what industries are there. However, I would find out my conversations would end up like this:
Friend: "Where is your co-op?"
Me: "Syncrude, in Fort McMurray, Alberta."
Friend:"REALLY!? Ouch, good luck man."
At first I thought "Awesome, look what I got into. ". I'd later just brush off all the negativity, and just chuckle and go along with the running joke that I'll be frozen and miserable in the middle of nowhere. I also began getting a lot of negative information about the town and the people there, most second-hand, but I did get some first-hand anecdotes shared with me. Most of it revolved around drug use and prostitution. Basically "lots of lonely people with lots of money and not a whole lot to do."
I figure, and hope, that a lot of what I've heard is grossly exaggerated. I'll be heeding the warnings these informants gave, but I'll pass on some first-hand experience as soon as I get a good grasp of how it really is now.
Friend: "Where is your co-op?"
Me: "Syncrude, in Fort McMurray, Alberta."
Friend:"REALLY!? Ouch, good luck man."
At first I thought "Awesome, look what I got into. ". I'd later just brush off all the negativity, and just chuckle and go along with the running joke that I'll be frozen and miserable in the middle of nowhere. I also began getting a lot of negative information about the town and the people there, most second-hand, but I did get some first-hand anecdotes shared with me. Most of it revolved around drug use and prostitution. Basically "lots of lonely people with lots of money and not a whole lot to do."
I figure, and hope, that a lot of what I've heard is grossly exaggerated. I'll be heeding the warnings these informants gave, but I'll pass on some first-hand experience as soon as I get a good grasp of how it really is now.
Monday, December 28, 2009
How it all began
Everything started with an information session during SFU's career days, when various employers set up booths around campus, and held sessions in lecture halls trying to entice students to choose them as a place of employment. All I had heard about syncrude is that it was in Fort McMurray, and that they paid students pretty well compared to other companies.
I wasn't surprised to find out that much more people had went to the Microsoft information session, which was booked at the same time as the Syncrude session, but in a different room. Of course, I had a class so I was late to the session and missed about half of it. They had talked about what the company does, where you'd be staying if you had a job, and what kind of money you'd be making. Overall, I think the information was a little vague, but I peppered them with questions. Although I came late, at least I looked very interested in the company.
The interview was probably one of the least stressful interviews I've had even though there were three interviewers. They asked me questions about my schooling, gave me some situations and asked me how I'd handle them, and the usual interview questions you're usually ready for. It was pretty easy to talk with the three of them and didn't miss a beat in giving answers, the only thing that bothered me the interview was how someone was always writing something down as I was talking. Maybe it was just memories of taking my driving exam, but I almost always felt that I may have just said the wrong thing when they were writing something down.
After what felt like an eternity for a couple of weeks, I received an offer by e-mail. Estatic, I read over the document they sent over and over a couple of days I talked with my Co-Op advisors, and then accepted the offer.
I wasn't surprised to find out that much more people had went to the Microsoft information session, which was booked at the same time as the Syncrude session, but in a different room. Of course, I had a class so I was late to the session and missed about half of it. They had talked about what the company does, where you'd be staying if you had a job, and what kind of money you'd be making. Overall, I think the information was a little vague, but I peppered them with questions. Although I came late, at least I looked very interested in the company.
The interview was probably one of the least stressful interviews I've had even though there were three interviewers. They asked me questions about my schooling, gave me some situations and asked me how I'd handle them, and the usual interview questions you're usually ready for. It was pretty easy to talk with the three of them and didn't miss a beat in giving answers, the only thing that bothered me the interview was how someone was always writing something down as I was talking. Maybe it was just memories of taking my driving exam, but I almost always felt that I may have just said the wrong thing when they were writing something down.
After what felt like an eternity for a couple of weeks, I received an offer by e-mail. Estatic, I read over the document they sent over and over a couple of days I talked with my Co-Op advisors, and then accepted the offer.
Before the Journey Begins
Hello out there to anyone on the internets that stumbles onto this page. This blog is meant to chronicle my 8 month co-op term at Syncrude, located in Fort McMurray. If you've considered a co-op position from Syncrude, or any other company that works in Fort McMurray, then maybe there will be some useful information for you.
I'm a computing science student of Simon Fraser University. This will not be my first time away from my home as I've also spent two years studying at the Zhejiang University in China. Hopefully this will go a lot better since my compentency in the local language won't be less than that of a 10 year old.
For now, I'm still in Surrey B.C. getting ready for my flight out next week. The first few posts will outline my preperations for the job, and just some thoughts about this whole trip and the town before I leave. My co-op work term at Syncrude is from January 11th 2010 to August 20, 2010. I'll be shipping my computer to me, and as long as nothing happends to it (knock on wood) there will only be a slight lull in updates until I can post again from Fort McMurray. While I will usually post about my work experience, and the experience of living in the town, I may toss a few random things here or there because they interest me (heads up, it will most likely be video game related).
I'm a computing science student of Simon Fraser University. This will not be my first time away from my home as I've also spent two years studying at the Zhejiang University in China. Hopefully this will go a lot better since my compentency in the local language won't be less than that of a 10 year old.
For now, I'm still in Surrey B.C. getting ready for my flight out next week. The first few posts will outline my preperations for the job, and just some thoughts about this whole trip and the town before I leave. My co-op work term at Syncrude is from January 11th 2010 to August 20, 2010. I'll be shipping my computer to me, and as long as nothing happends to it (knock on wood) there will only be a slight lull in updates until I can post again from Fort McMurray. While I will usually post about my work experience, and the experience of living in the town, I may toss a few random things here or there because they interest me (heads up, it will most likely be video game related).
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