SENEDIA accepting applications for Real Jobs RI internships

The Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA) is currently accepting applications for its internship program through Real Jobs Rhode Island (Real Jobs RI).

Interns will gain 80 hours of paid, hands-on work experience at some of the most innovative companies in the state’s robust defense industry, including opportunities in cybersecurity, engineering and science, supply chain management, undersea technology, and more. Current and former participants – both interns and employers – encouraged prospective applicants to learn more in a series of testimonial videos recently as SENEDIA continues to attract new employers and interns to the program.

“If you want a great job – high pay, high tech, high demand – think about our internship program. We will connect you to real, on-the-job experience at a company that maps with your career goals,” said Molly Donohue Magee, SENEDIA’s executive director. “Southeastern New England is the hub for undersea technology and submarine shipbuilding and a major player in the nation’s defense landscape, and our interns are at the front of the line in accessing exciting, hands-on job opportunities in this strong and growing sector.”

Since partnering with Real Jobs RI, an initiative from Gov. Gina Raimondo and the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, SENEDIA has increased the number of interns placed from eight to now more than 30 each year.

“As Rhode Island looks towards our economic recovery from the pandemic, providing high-quality, demand-driven job training opportunities through Real Jobs RI – like SENEDIA's internship program – is now more important than ever,” said Scott Jensen, Director of Rhode Island DLT. “SENEDIA’s internship program paves the way for Rhode Islanders to land great jobs in the state's thriving defense sector. I encourage all defense industry employers and eligible interns to consider participating in this rewarding and successful program.”

More than 90 percent of SENEDIA interns have found full-time employment after graduation, with many landing at SENEDIA’s member companies.

At NeQter Labs, for example, a cybersecurity compliance company based in Pawtucket, 70 percent of the current workforce is made up of former SENEDIA interns. Richard Astle, the CEO and co-founder of NeQter Labs, says the internship program is as beneficial for member companies as it is for participating interns.

“As a small business with limited resources, it’s very important that employees hit the ground running. I can say with complete confidence that NeQter wouldn’t be where it is today if it weren't for the SENEDIA internship program and Real Jobs Rhode Island,” he said. “The opportunity to recruit top local talent is knocking at your door. Not only do you get to try before you buy, but you’re also giving back by affording each and every intern the opportunity to gain real world, hands-on experience.”

To be eligible, internship participants must be U.S. citizens, have no criminal record, be available to work at least 8-10 hours each week, and must be military veterans or current students, either in their second year at CCRI, their fourth year at a four-year institution, or in graduate school.

“I was first drawn to SENEDIA because it came highly recommended by my peers. My main goal for after college is to get involved with the defense industry, so SENEDIA seemed like a good way for me to take the first steps in breaking into that industry. The experience alone has been fantastic, and I’ve learned so much,” said Faith Leonard, a student at the University of Rhode Island and an intern at PowerDocks.

To learn more about the SENEDIA internship program, visit senedia.org/real-jobs-ri/internships, or apply to be an intern or employer through the program by reaching out to internships@senedia.org.