Winners awarded for co-op work achievement
For students looking to gain critical life experience while working on completing their degrees, the University of Guelph’s co-op program offers a host of opportunities. The co-op program affords students the opportunity to work in a field of their choice, with employers ranging from small to large in a variety of businesses, spanning all across Canada.
Each year, Co-operative Education and Career Services awards three students for their achievements in the university’s co-op program.
Third-year Hotel and Food Administration student Brittany Ho was awarded as this year’s Co-op Student of the Year in Commerce and Social and Applied Human Sciences. She was nominated for her work at Palm Holdings Inc.
“Brittany has made an outstanding contribution to our company of many senior executives, department managers, and front line staff,” said Angelina Malik, the Regional Director of Sales and Marketing for Palm Holdings Inc.
Student of the Year in Science and Engineering was awarded to fifth-year biological engineering student, Li (Danny) Liang. For his placement, Liang worked at FUJIFILM VisualSonics, an ultrasound company in Toronto that specializes in developing high frequency ultrasound imaging systems.
“I have been a co-op student for my entire time at [the University of Guelph],” explained Liang. “I’ve had the opportunity to work at a lab, a start-up biotech company, and a larger biotech company through co-op.”
Liang described the experience as “excellent.” At FUJIFILMS, Liang had the opportunity to work in a variety of positions, learning about mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and even quality assurance. Liang plans on moving on to medical school, so that “[he] can get more clinical experience to compliment [his] engineering education.”
To the students hoping to succeed in their studies and their careers, Liang’s advice is, “have less, do more, be more!”
Tim Martin is the final Co-op Student Award winner, who was awarded the Collin Cureatz Memorial Award for Co-op Student Involvement. The Cureatz award is given to a student who has contributed to the betterment of the University of Guelph co-op program or to co-op student life during the award year. The award itself was named after a University of Guelph co-op student, Collin Cureatz, whose marks, talent, and enthusiasm changed the co-op program for the better.
Martin, a fourth-year water resources engineering student, was awarded the Cureatz Award for his time at Samaritans Purse Canada, in Calgary. Though Martin’s nomination for the award comes from Samaritan’s Purse Canada, a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization that provides aid to hurting people all over the world, he also spent half of his work semester at Matrix Solutions Inc. – another Calgary-based company.
“Both of these work experiences were incredible,” explained Martin. “I think my time with Samaritan’s Purse is what really taught me the most.”
With Samaritan’s Purse, Martin worked with the Southern Alberta Restoration Project (SARP), which assisted families recovering from the flooding that occurred in Southern Alberta in 2013.
“A large portion of our work was in the reconstruction of flood-damaged homes and properties in High River,” said Martin. “However, we were also able to assist in some really exciting community development projects as well.”
Though Martin’s efforts helping the people of Southern Alberta concluded with his work term, he is quick to mention that the SARP is still ongoing. As for Martin, he will be rejoining Matrix Solutions for his final work term this May.
“I can’t tell…for sure what the next few years will look like for me, but I am really hoping that I will be able to continue growing my practical skills and knowledge through working in the industry, while still staying involved in some development work during my time off.”
All three students, including the winners of the National Co-op Employer of the Year and Guelph Co-op Employer of the Year Awards – PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Canadian Solar Inc., respectively – will be honoured at a reception in Cutten Fields on March 12, 2015.
Students looking to get involved with the university’s co-op program should consult a program counsellor to discuss the possible opportunities.