If Alex Duarosan looks familiar to you, it’s probably because she’s the picture of campus involvement. From athletics to ambassadorships, Duarosan has made the most out of her academic career with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and become an important member of many extracurricular circles. One such endeavor that is somewhat less social—and we have a global pandemic to thank for that—is her remote working experience with TRU’s co-op program. Duarosan, aka Al-Pal, took on a marketing and communications co-op this past summer with the Kamloops Arts Council. The catch? In the midst of lockdown, she would be working from home.
Working remotely has been a challenge a number of students are facing, and Duarosan is no stranger to the difficulty either, saying “It can be so easy to push aside your tasks and get lost watching your favourite Netflix series.” Duarosan admits that procrastination was one of her biggest challenges, but she overcame it with a strong attitude. “I plant the thought in my head that everything starts from somewhere, hard work pays off and that I am bigger than anything the world throws at me!”
Her further advice for defeating procrastination includes:
- Planning and scheduling your day
- Taking time to log projects, events and tasks into your calendar
- Set reminders so that you don’t forget anything
Overall, Duarosan walked away with a great experience and enjoyed the flexibility of working from home that she may not have experienced otherwise. She also loved the freedom to choose her work setting. “I can work from the space of my backyard, from the atmosphere of a vibey coffee shop, from the serenity of a sunlit beach or from the comfort of my own home.” Who doesn’t want to work at a beach?
Duarosan’s parting advice to students considering a remote work experience was to “communicate any concerns you have with your employer or employees,” because clear communication is of utmost importance when you aren’t in the same room as those you’re collaborating with.
If you’re interested in learning more about the co-op program, visit the Career and Experiential Learning website.
