Programs Overview / Cooperative Education (Co-op)Co-op Student of the Year
Every year, a graduating McCormick senior who has exceeded the expectations of their co-op employer by providing excellent contributions and dedication to the on-going success of the company is chosen as the Walter P. Murphy Cooperative Engineering Education Student of the Year.
The winning student will receive a cash award and a plaque presented at the McCormick graduation convocation in June.
In addition, the student will be nominated for Co-op Student of the Year in nationwide competitions sponsored by:
- The Cooperative and Experiential Education Division (CEED) of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)
- The Cooperative Education and Internship Association, Inc. (CEIA)
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Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the Walter P. Murphy Cooperative Engineering Education Student of the Year award, a student must be:
- A graduating senior participating in the Walter P. Murphy Cooperative Education Program
- In the process of completing at least three work terms with the same employer by the application deadline
- Nominated by their employer through the nomination process
Nomination Process
For Employers
In late summer, Engineering Career Development will notify employers of all co-op students eligible to be nominated for the Student of the Year award.
Employers choosing to nominate their co-op student will need to submit a nomination letter to the Walter P. Murphy Cooperative Engineering Education Program (please review key dates).
Nomination letters should be two-page, typed, double-spaced statements of support that include as many of the following topics as are relevant:
- The student’s work-related duties, quantity of work, and quality of work
- Examples of the student’s initiative or creative/original work
- Examples of how the student met the challenges of his/her co-op assignments
- Any published papers, presentations, or other formal presentations of the student’s work (Please do not include the presentations or papers, just discuss them in your letter)
- Any recognition or awards from the company to the student
- The student’s involvement in the community
- The student’s involvement in improving the company's co-op program
- The overall impact of this student on the department or company
- Any other pertinent information to support the nomination
For Students
Each employer-nominated student will be contacted by Engineering Career Development. They will be required to submit a student packet which contains their student statement and an updated copy of their resume (please review key dates).
Student statements should be two-page, typed, double-spaced statements of support that include as many of the following topics as are relevant:
- How their co-op experiences have impacted college and future careers
- Future career goals
- Achievements, awards, honors and self-initiative both on the job and in school
- Contributions to the employer, school, and community
Judging
Once all employer and student nomination materials have been received, a panel of individuals who represent the academic and industry sectors will judge the nomination packets.
The student receiving the highest rankings from the judges will be selected as Co-op Student of the Year.
Please contact Tameca Lyons with any questions regarding the nomination process.
Key Dates
Early August – Employers are notified of eligible co-op students
August 30 - Employer Nomination Letters due
Week of September 16 – Students notified of nominations
October 4 – Student Statement and Resume due
October 25 – Final submissions by judging panel for McCormick Co-op Student of the Year
October 31 – McCormick Co-op Student of the Year is announced
November 1 – McCormick Co-op Student of the Year is nominated for the national award
