What is the Student Summer Employment Program (SSEP)?
WISE SSEP is a seven-week program that offers paid, hands-on work experience in fields including science, technology, engineering, and medicine. But it’s not just a summer job—it’s a chance to dive into the world of STEM and meet other young women with similar interests to you. Along with practical work experience in science and engineering, you’ll participate in weekly activities, tours, and social events designed to show you the many opportunities available and make new friends.
The purpose of SSEP:
- Provide young women with experience in scientific fields.
- Encourage young women to consider careers in science and engineering fields.
- Show young women that careers in the scientific fields can be exiting, as well as rewarding.
Student Application
2025 General Information
2025 Student Application
About the Jobs
Since its inception in 1989, SSEP has offered employment opportunities in a broad range of fields such as:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Community Outreach
- Ecology
- Education
- Engineering
- Fisheries
- Forestry
- Geography
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Physics
Workplace Tours
Every week during the program, you’ll join educational tours and site visits in St. John’s and nearby areas. If you’re working outside St. John’s over the summer, you’ll still get to experience these tours during a special “Final Week” visit to the city (if funding allows). The tours change each year and have included exciting stops like the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Medicine, the Ocean Sciences Centre, the GEOCENTRE, the Marine Institute, and the MUN Botanical Gardens.
Social Events
In addition to the educational tours, there are monthly social events where you can connect with fellow participants and build lasting friendships with like-minded young women from across the province—relationships that can continue into college and your future career. While the events change each year, past activities have included whale watching and a beach BBQ, as well as movie and trivia nights.
Final Presentation Day
The SSEP final presentation day is the exciting culmination of your summer experience. On this day, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your projects and share what you’ve learned with your family, friends, mentors and industry professionals! It’s a chance to demonstrate your growth, celebrate your achievements, and develop your public speaking!
History of SSEP
The Student Summer Employment Program (SSEP), started of it’s journey in an inspired program that was offered by WISEST in Alberta. With over 1,000 young women successfully graduating from the program.
In 1994, WISE NL was awarded the prestigious Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion for it’s working with SSEP.
Evaluated in 2008, Hollett & Son’s Inc. found that SSEP provides a unique opportunity for young women of this province, as well as succeeding to encourage young women to pursue post-secondary education.
