Employer Impact Awards Rubric: Impact on Student Experience

Prompts (500-word maximum per prompt):

  1. Describe how your organization values the contributions, empowerment and growth of Waterloo co-op students.
  2. Summarize the programs, initiatives and activities/events at your organization that support student mental wellness, growth opportunities, relationship building and other employee enhancements.
  3. Detail how supporting and prioritizing Waterloo co-op student experience has led to results, achievements, or made an impact on your organization.

See our tips for a great application.

Prompts Scoring criteria 1-3 points 4-6 points 7-8 points 9-10 points
1. Describe how your organization values the contributions, empowerment and growth of Waterloo co-op students.

Did they include the following?

  • Organization’s recognition of the valuable contributions that co-op students bring to the workplace.
  • How they foster a positive, growth-oriented environment for students.
  • Opportunities for students to take ownership of projects and responsibility (e.g., giving them autonomy, being open to their suggestions, encouraging them to contribute ideas, solutions and innovations).

Provides minimal detail and few/no examples

Provides some detail and adequate examples

Provides adequate detail and good examples

Provides excellent detail and strong, connected examples
2. Summarize the programs, initiatives and activities/events at your organization that support student mental wellness, growth opportunities, relationship building and other employee enhancements.

Did they include the following?

  • A list of supports for students (e.g., training, onboarding, mentorship).
  • Examples of events or networking opportunities to build professional relationships.
  • Any outstanding or out-of-the-box strategies to promote professional or skills development, growth opportunities or relationship building.
 Provides minimal detail and few/no examples Provides some detail and adequate examples Provides adequate detail and good examples Provides excellent detail and strong, connected examples
3.  Detail how supporting and prioritizing Waterloo co-op student experience has led to results, achievements, or made an impact on your organization.

Did they include the following?

  • How student contributions are recognized and celebrated.
  • Positive outcomes based on efforts to empower students.
  • How they quantify the impact where possible (e.g., cost savings, revenue growth, product development, improved processes).
  • Accolades or recognition earned because of these efforts (e.g., awards, media coverage).
 Provides brief overview or minimal examples Provides example of impact, results and achievements – may not show how it is measurable Provides adequate detail and good examples of measurable impact, results and achievements Provides ample and insightful examples of measurable impact, results and achievements