About Supervising
The Summer Student Employment Program (SSEP) offers the opportunity for Supervisors in science and engineering fields to advance their research or other work at no financial cost.
Additionally, SSEP is a rewarding opportunity to mentor a bright young female student interested in a career in science, engineering, mathematics, medicine or technology.
WISE NL applies for funding so the number of positions filled in any given year is determined by the number of placements that are funded.
The program runs for seven weeks during the months of June, July and August. The work week is 35 hours excluding lunch. MUN holidays are observed.
What can the Student Summer Employment Program do for me?
Students can contribute to meaningful projects that support and enhance your work or research, helping ease the workload for you and your team. They also bring fresh ideas and new perspectives to the table!
What work can students do?
Students can take part in a variety of projects and tasks. This can range from research projects and fieldwork to education and community outreach. Some Supervisors have even taken students to local conferences and summer camps. If a student is being taken on field work, especially overnight, it is important to meet with a parent/guardian to explain the work that will be done.
Who are the students and how are they selected to take part?
Participants are Grade 11 female students from across Newfoundland and Labrador (or Grade 10 students within Labrador). Each student has taken the initiative to seek out and apply to the program. Those selected will have demonstrated how the experience will support them in exploring potential career paths and making informed decisions about their future.
Why should I take part?
Because you’re committed to fostering a love of STEM in the young women of Newfoundland and Labrador. Science and Engineering thrive on diversity!
- Programs like this foster leadership development within your team.
- Great ideas and innovation can come from anyone — even high school students.
- Young people bring fresh energy, enthusiasm, and a new dynamic to your team.
- We all play a role in nurturing the next generation of talent.
How is the program structured?
SSEP runs predominantly in July and August. On the student’s first day of work, supervisors take the time to orientate them with the work environment and allow them to become comfortable with the people and equipment in your lab or office. The students are new to this type of work environment and will likely be shy and/or nervous at first.
Please take the time to ensure they fully understand any dress regulations, workplace procedures (particularly in the case of injuries and or accidents), and safety precautions. If changes have been made to the original job description, please ensure that the student and the WISE SSEP Program Administrator are updated on their tasks.
As part of this program, students may be taken on workplace tours or engage in other SSEP activities during work hours. The WISE SSEP Team will provide a calendar in advance of the activities over the summer, as well as reminders of when your student will not be present. SSEP also incorporates workplace and school tours into the schedule, so sometimes your student will not be at work. These days will be communicated to you before the start of the program.
What is expected of me as a supervisor?
It is important to the success of WISE SSEP that participants come away with new experiences and knowledge of science and engineering careers that they may not have had before the program. Whenever possible we encourage supervisors to include their students in hands-on tasks in the work environment, participate in field work, and attend any work site visits. To ensure the students have a positive experience and feel challenged throughout their work placement, it is important that students are given a clear and detailed description of the tasks and research that they will be responsible for during the summer at the beginning of their placement.
What is expected of the students?
Students work 35 hours per week. Students should not miss more than three (3) days of work during their placement, unless previously approved.
As students will be considered paid employees for the duration of the program it is important that they conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner. All participants must adhere to regulations and safety precautions that have been set out by you, as their supervisor, and the WISE SSEP team. If there is ever a concern with a student, please contact the WISE NL Program Administrator immediately to discuss the matter and develop a way to improve the situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the program virtual or in-person?
This is at the supervisor’s discretion. We do encourage supervisors to offer remote positions where possible to ensure those applying from outside the St. John’s metro region have a change to participate.
Does it cost anything to have a student placed with me?
No, supervisors are not required to pay. We take care of this so you can focus on creating meaningful placements for your students.
How many students can I apply for?
Supervisors can apply for a maximum of two students.
Does my organization have to be MUN-affiliated?
No, we encourage other organizations outside of MUN to apply!
Am I guaranteed a student placement?
No, as placements are driven by student interest. We review student applications and when the top candidates are chosen, we match them as close as possible to the positions they’ve expressed interest in. Supervisors are notified of placements late May or early June.
What does WISE NL do to support Supervisors?
WISE NL aims to make this experience as smooth as possible for Supervisors. The SSEP Team will handle the entire student selection process and placement, set-up of online training as necessary, and a general orientation highlighting expectations. During the program, the team will conduct workplace visits to ensure both the student and supervisor are happy with the program and placement.
Who decides which students are placed where?
WISE NL makes the final decision regarding where students are placed, but we do our best to ensure those that are placed with you have expressed interest in the area of work that you do.
General Timeline
Testimonials
“These are real experiments, they’re not just occupying the students. They’re part of my work. It’s a real experience for them and what they do contributes very positively to my work.”
– Supervisor
“Many of my past students have been from smaller communities and have felt intimidated about entering a large post-secondary institution as well as uncertain about what types of careers are available to women. Being part of this program has allowed me to be a role model for these young women, something I feel very proud of.”
– Supervisor