Externship Program - For Employers

Each of IYRS full-time programs incorporate externships as a critical component of a student’s study plan. As an experiential learning school, we believe that externships are a critical component in preparing graduates for successful careers. Companies who offer externships to IYRS students agree, as many of our placements have led to full-time job offers, making hosting a student a worthwhile long-term investment for employers. To learn more about hiring IYRS students, please contact VP of Student Affairs Jen Iacovelli at 401.848.5777 x209.

Externship Details & Expectations

• The externship is fulfilled at your facilities and under your supervision.
• Work assignments should be aligned with the abilities and knowledge of the student and not place the student in unsupervised circumstances.
• IYRS will provide information about any questions you have.
• The experience is typically 4-6 weeks in length and should be a normal work week expected of your employees.
• Students in IYRS's Marine Systems program go on externship in February and August and are required to complete 140 hours at your facility.
• Students in the Boatbuilding & Restoration program go on externship in June and are required to complete 175 hours at your facility.
• Students in our advanced manufacturing programs, Digital Modeling & Fabrication and Composites Technology, go on externship in April and are required to complete 150 hours at your facility.

 

To learn more about hiring IYRS students, please contact VP of Student Affairs Jen Iacovelli at 401.848.5777 x209

Benefits to Employers

In today’s job market, externships have become increasingly beneficial to both job applicants and employers. The payoff for both is invaluable, allowing students to apply what they have learned in the classroom and the shop or lab while supporting the employer.

• Better screening of potential employees prior to a full-time commitment
• Lower turnover among interns later hired as employees
• Reduced overall training cost
• A more qualified pool of future applicants when peak needs demand quick response
• Enthusiastic potential employees who bring energy and often greater commitment
• Acts as both a feeder and an important part of your staffing plan
• IYRS students are well trained in teamwork and can add value to your current team-based projects

Externship FAQs for Employers

Can I start having a student work for me right now?

Each of the IYRS programs schedules their externships at particular times of year once the program is complete. This way, students are well prepared to begin their externships and be valuable team members for their employers.

How do I submit a job opening?

If you are interested in having a student work with your company, the first step is to let us know that you would like to participate in the externship program. Please fill out the job posting form here.

Students also learn about companies through our annual Career Day so make plans to attend!

How can I be sure I'm hiring a student who is the best fit for my company?

The best way to determine if a student is qualified to work at your business is to have the student in for an interview. If you would like specific information about their performance in the program, please ask the student for a copy of his/her transcript. You can also ask the student if he/she passed their industry exams such as ABYC or ACMA. If you need additional information, you can request that the student provide you with references or a letter of recommendation.

When will I know if a student has been placed at my company?

Students self-select their externship through a process that includes career counseling with IYRS faculty and staff as well as a series of assignments. IYRS staff will typically begin reaching out to employers approximately two months prior to the start of the externship.

Am I required to provide compensation during the externship?

Although not required, the majority of students on externship are compensated for their time. The amount of compensation varies significantly across industries and geographically. Please be up front with your communication regarding compensation and note that many states have laws about internship compensation.

Can I hire the student outright rather than going through the externship program?

If you have determined that you would like to hire the student, IYRS asks that you respect that the externship program is part of our curriculum. In this situation, most employers will use the externship as an extended interview and will make the students an offer at the conclusion of the externship. Please feel free to discuss hiring plans directly with the student so that they can make an informed decision about their externship placement.

IYRS Externships in Action

To learn more about hiring IYRS students, please contact VP of Student Affairs Jen Iacovelli at 401.848.5777 x209