Each year, co-op students are invited to submit a photo for the Cooperative Education Photo Competition, which highlights their experiences. This competition is open to all current co-op students at the University of Limerick, and prizes will be awarded to the top 10 entries. From Shannon to Chicago, previous winners have given us a peek into their daily routines during placement, shared memories of exciting trips, and showcased what their new cities had to offer. Take a look for yourself to see what some of this year's winners got up to! 

The competition is now closed for entries. 

This years winners

photo of person taking photo
girl standing in front of lego model
girl standing in market building

I completed my co-op with McGill and Partners Europe Limited. McGill and Partners
is a boutique specialist insurance and reinsurance broker focused on large clients and clients with complex and challenging needs. Although based in Dublin, I had the chance to spend a few days in the company's London office. Exploring the impressive Gherkin building and other landmark structures made me feel fully immersed in the craziness of the London market. Our workplace, nestled within the CHUBB building, felt like a hub of activity. Here, I had the pleasure of meeting dedicated members of my team and learning about their roles and contributions to the company. A standout moment of my trip was when I had the extraordinary opportunity to sit on the box in Lloyd’s. Watching underwriters and brokers in action, discussing real risks in real-time, was an immersive experience that showcased the dynamic and fast-paced nature of the insurance market. My co-op at McGill and Partners was more than an educational placement; it was an immersive journey that shaped my understanding and aspirations within the insurance industry. 

girl posing in front of deserts
group of people at wind turbine
man at desk with sun glasses
two girls in laptop coats dancing

I loved my co-op placement at Tirlán. From the very beginning, I was made to feel like I had been part of the Tirlán family for years. Everyone was so welcoming and took me under their wing, making me feel at home in an environment I had never experienced before. My rapport
extended all over the plant, and I built meaningful connections with so many people. However, I will especially miss the lunch ladies. What surprised me the most was how warm and inclusive everyone was. Being the only Black girl, or girl of colour, on the site, I could have easily felt out of place, but I never did. Tirlán felt like a second home, and it opened my mind to potentially working in the food industry in the future. It changed my entire perspective on my course, making me realize how much opportunity exists within this sector. The placement didn’t just help me professionally; it also developed me personally. My organizational, teamwork, communication, and Excel skills were significantly enhanced. I also became a morning person, something anyone who knows me would be shocked by! 

girl standing in front of building
man holding rugby ball
man in high vis on building site
group of colleauges

A standout moment was when our team travelled to the London office for an offsite meeting. This opportunity allowed us to present our findings, discuss plans, and align our goals for the year ahead. What impressed me the most was the company's commitment to nurturing talent and providing comprehensive support to co-op students. From the moment I joined, I was welcomed with open arms by a team of friendly and helpful individuals who were eager to share their expertise and guide me through my learning journey. Their encouragement and mentorship played a significant role in shaping my understanding of the industry and reaffirming my career aspirations. I would highly recommend students seize every opportunity presented during their co-op placements. Asking questions, actively engaging with colleagues, and immersing oneself fully in the experience can provide invaluable insights into one's career path and help clarify future goals. 

  • Each photograph entered must be of good picture quality and be a minimum file size of 2.5mb (submitted in a .jpg format).   
  • Each entry must be accompanied by a short testimonial about your overall co-op experience (maximum of 300 words).
  • Enter the Cooperative Education Photo Challenge
  • The competition is now closed.
  • Entrants must accept that any image submitted to the competition may be used by the University of Limerick without payment for marketing purposes.
  • Before submitting a photograph of any identifiable individual, entrants should obtain the consent of such person and advise them of the purpose of the submission.