Winners announced in advance; awards recognize employers as well
On Mar. 20 at a reception at Cutten Fields, University of Guelph students Adelaide Manley, Lauren Patrick, and Yosra Mohammed will be awarded by Co-operative Education and Career Services (CECS) for their outstanding participation in the U of G’s co-op program.
Adelaide Manley, a third-year Psychology student with a minor in Family and Child Studies, received the award for Student of the Year in Commerce & Social and Applied Human Sciences. Involved with the co-op program since her first semester at the university, Manley was awarded for her eight-month tenure as a research associate at Ontario Food Exports with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
“Co-op offers an experience for students to accept challenges and take initiative,” explained Manley. “Besides enhancing my career development, my academic experience at the University of Guelph improved and I became more involved in the university community after my placement.”
She encourages every student currently seeking a job placement to stick it out.
“I think every co-op student is nervous about not finding placement,” said Manley. “As long as you keep trying and applying, you’ll find a job.”
Manley is still unsure about her future career aspirations, but her time with the co-op program has helped her narrow her focus.
“Working with clients, organizing events, and conducting market research has encouraged me to consider the world of business,” she said.
Lauren Patrick, a fifth-year Mechanical Engineering student, received the award for Student of the Year in Science & Engineering. Patrick’s area of focus is mechatronics – a combination of mechanical engineering, computer engineering, electronics and robotics. Patrick spent eight months with the Vancouver Airport Authority working for the Baggage Engineering Group.
“A co-op program was something I was looking for when I was choosing universities,” explained Patrick. “I actually entered the University of Guelph in the Bachelor of Engineering, undeclared program, so I did have to apply for the co-op program once I chose my major. [It was] very nerve-wracking!”
Patrick was acknowledged for her enthusiasm during her co-op classes and for offering to review her friends’ resumes and cover letters before they all applied to jobs. Helping her friends led Patrick to joining the Peer Helper Program with the CECS unit, where she is currently spending her third semester as a senior Peer Helper.
On the subject of not giving up during the job search, Patrick stressed the importance of applying everywhere and reaching out to organizations for positions that might not be available at the time.
“I think a common challenge that many students find is the competitiveness of the job search,” explained Patrick. “[For my] last work term, I applied to over fifty jobs and did not hear much from any of them. In the case of the position I ended up in, it was actually because I reached out to the organization and indicated my interest in a job, even though one did not exist yet.”
Patrick hopes to return to the Vancouver Airport Authority upon graduation.
Yosra Mohammed, a fifth-year student in the Management Economics and Finance program, received the Collin Cureatz Memorial Award for Co-op Student Involvement. As a Bachelor of Commerce student, Mohammed spent five work terms at three different companies. For her eight-month tenure, Mohammed worked as a budget analyst at the Toronto Transit Commission.
Mohammed is happy to have had the opportunity to work for more than one firm.
“Each placement offered a completely different experience, different learning opportunities and the chance to enhance my skills,” she said.
On completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Guelph, Mohammed has decided to pursue graduate studies in economics.
The reception at Cutten Fields will also recognize outstanding co-op employers. This year, the Co-op Employer of the Year award is being given to Mikutech Industries, a firm that has been supporting the Computer Science program at the U of G since 2003.