Attracting top talent: Insights from award-winning co-op students
By: Micaela Kelly (she/her)
Award-winning co-op students do more than deliver exceptional results, they raise the bar for teams, projects and future hiring. Employers who consistently hire standout students are intentional at every stage of the co-op experience, from recruitment to the work term.
Drawing on insights from Co-operative and Experiential Education’s 2025 Co‑op Students of the Year, we have five ways you can stand out to attract the best talent.
1. Write job descriptions that emphasize impact, not just tasks
Clear, purpose-driven job descriptions attract motivated and curious students. You’ll get better applicants who are ready to hit the ground running.
From the beginning, it was clear that [my] work would actually be used. Not just as a learning exercise, but to inform real decisions.
Practical tip:
Instead of listing only responsibilities, include:
- Types of problems students will be solving.
- How their work will influence decisions.
- Opportunities to expand beyond their role.
2. Use interviews to assess curiosity and initiative
Use your interview time to see if students show their interest and drive.
One of the most important skills a co‑op student needs is the ability to navigate ambiguity and make decisions independently, because you’re often working across teams and functions.
“You don’t have to have all the answers — you just have to be willing to find them or be curious to learn,” Girmenia said.
Practical tip:
In interviews, ask candidates about:
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When they went beyond their assigned work.
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How they approach problems they don’t fully understand.
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What new skills they’ve learned based on their interests.
3. Give students ownership early and reduce supervision over time
Ownership builds accountability and decision-making skills, which empower students to work more independently and contribute sooner.
I was the only co‑op student working on this project, so I had to quickly decide what would work, what wouldn’t and explain the reasoning behind those decisions to the team.
Being encouraged to ask questions and take initiative meant I could contribute beyond my original tasks and support multiple projects.
Practical tip:
Be specific about where the student can make decisions independently and where they require approval.
4. Provide skills development and mentorship
Supporting skills growth, especially communication, helps students contribute sooner and faster. Students value mentorship and opportunities to go beyond their comfort zone.
Through a lot of mentorship from senior co‑op students and [my supervisor], I learned skills I never thought I would learn at an undergraduate level.
“My supervisor supported my learning by giving me lots of opportunities to work on my skills, specifically my communication and innovative skills. He also sent me to a national conference, which helped me develop my presentation skills, talk about my work with others and make valuable research connections,” Greidanus said.
Practical tip:
Include students in team meetings where your organization explains decisions and debrief with the student after the meeting. This will have the added benefit of helping students build a network, making them become more comfortable and increasing productivity.
5. Treat students like full-time staff and help them see their impact
When students know their work matters, they hold themselves to higher standards.
My manager and mentor gave me the trust and autonomy to work on different things throughout my [term]. That’s when I was able to identify issues and create impact which is beyond my job description.
"They trusted me with complex projects and let me work independently, which pushed me to deliver at a much higher level," Yang said.
Practical tip:
Share the outcomes of their contributions and invite them to project debriefs. Once your student completes their work term, continue to update them on ongoing projects to keep the connection and talent pipeline flowing.
The takeaway
Award‑winning co‑op students look for trust, impact, growth and belonging. Employers who intentionally design their co‑op experiences around these principles will find top talent knocking at their doors.