What better way to celebrate Sheridan’s 30 years of excellence in Cooperative Education than to highlight the incredible talent of this year’s Co-op Students of the Year?
Rising to the top, from a field of 2,100 eligible students who completed Co-op/Internship work terms in 2016, 22 were nominated for excellence in their work terms and academic achievement. Of those, five Sheridan students have been chosen as Sheridan’s Co-op Student of the Year for their faculty, and two of them have won further awards nationally and provincially.
Kaye Mao is the national winner of The Canadian Association for Co-operative Education Student of the Year Award, and Catharine Poehlman has been named the Education at Work Ontario provincial Student of the Year!
“Every year I’m thrilled to review the amazing accomplishments of our Sheridan Co-op students through the Co-op Student of the Year contest,” said Cory Latimer, Manager of Sheridan’s Cooperative Education.
“Co-op and Internship students across all faculties are representing Sheridan with pride and professionalism.”
Kaye (Kawen) Mao has the privilege of being Sheridan’s first ever student to be selected for a Co-op work term with Google in New York City. Her strength as a leader quickly became evident as she not only led a team as project manager with Google, but also increased motivation and classroom attendance in her program, Sheridan’s new Honours Bachelor of Interaction Design.
“I’m 100 per cent sure that my previous work experience and my co-op experience is what gives me the advantage over other students who may not have that,” said Kaye; “Because it gives employers the confidence to know that I have a proven track record of working in the real world and not just academic experience.”
Kaye’s natural leadership skills, helped land her the Co-op Student of the Year Award for the Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design, along with The Canadian Association for Co-operative Education Student of the Year— which Sheridan has won in four out of the past five years.
“It really is such a big honour,” said Kaye. “There are so many exceptional students here at Sheridan. Knowing that, makes receiving this award truly humbling.
“Working with the Google cloud team in New York was an incredible experience. Despite my being an intern, they trusted me with a lot of responsibility. Their trust and support, especially from my managers Hannah and Chris, helped me grow so much professionally and personally.”
Kaye’s wealth of professional experience is bolstered by her excellent academic achievements and volunteerism in the community. Kaye divides her free time between a personal blog to promote the co-op program and the Sheridan Interaction Design Association, which she helped found, and social media marketing using Twitter and Facebook. She is a student who has demonstrated incredible drive, positivity, and the ability to excel academically, professionally and personally.
System’s Analyst, Catharine Poehlman, is a shining example of what Cooperative Education can do for a student’s self confidence. Not only has Catharine overcome personal anxiety to become a self-starter who founded a club specifically for young women hoping to work in the math and engineering sectors, but she also led a team of students in developing an IT project that commanded a first-place finish by a panel of judges.
“Attending Sheridan for the last 3 years has prepared me for the demands of working in the information technology sector,” said Catharine Poehlman. “The co-op program allowed me to gain industry experience that has helped me begin my career in a strong direction. I would recommend the program at Sheridan to anyone wanting to pursue work in IT.
“The staff have been fantastic and the co-op office only works with the best employers ensuring great placements.”
As a student in Sheridan’s Computer Systems Technology – Systems Analyst Co-op program, Catharine proved that academic achievements can be matched with professional, personal and community achievements. Her co-op term for PointClickCare resulted in the development of an impressive tool to improve efficiency within the company, while her promotion of Co-op at Sheridan resulted in a new posting.
“My last co-op at PointClickCare was a great combination of new learning opportunities and a great environment,” said Poehlman. “PointClickCare does amazing work, focusing on enriching the lives of seniors and helping improve care delivery, which makes going in to work feel so rewarding.
“My Manager, Matt Kersnik, was supportive and helpful allowing me to explore my interests and take on project work to create a directory for the whole company.”
Catharine’s amazing accomplishments, including her peer mentorship efforts, lead her to become this year’s Sheridan Co-op Student of the Year for the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology—Computing, and the winner of the provincial Education at Work Ontario Student of the Year Award.
“The employers who hire our students tell us that they enter their work terms ready to hit the ground running,” said Latimer, “and that they make an observable positive impact from the get-go.”
Three other astounding students have proven they also have what it takes to make it in the working world, and will undoubtedly be beacons of success in life after Sheridan College. They are the remaining Sheridan Cooperative Education Students of the Year for 2016:
Mechanical Engineering Technology student, Harmandeep Singh Sidhu: Winner for the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology—Engineering
Honours Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences – Athletic Therapy, Stephanie Loy Son: Winner for the Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting) student, Alexandra Morrison: Winner for the Pilon School of Business
Each of these five students have shown commitment to enhancing the profile of co-operative education, maintained top academic marks, and made a difference in their community. It is with great pleasure that Sheridan will honour them during a Co-op Student of the Year Award Ceremony to be held on March 28th.
“We’re incredibly proud of our award winners, nominees and all of the Sheridan Co-op and Internship students that put their learning to work every term,” said Latimer.
For more information on Sheridan’s Cooperative Education program, visit:
https://www.sheridancollege.ca/life-at-sheridan/student-services/co-op.aspx
