STI students in the Culinary Arts, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, and Practical Nurse programs are required to participate in experiential learning opportunities. The Program Directors assign students to an externship, with an employer partner, which provides invaluable practical experience in their chosen career field. In addition to utilizing and enhancing acquired skills, students learn many new ones. STI Culinary Arts, Dental Assisting and Medical Assisting students are in externship four days a week from March – May. Practical Nurse students start their clinical at the beginning of the year, in October, and go in two days a week; in January their externship increases to four days a week. Below is a sampling of STI externship partners.
Culinary Arts: The Foundry, White’s Bakery, Montilio’s, The Cake Diner, Davio’s, Sturdy Memorial Hospital, The Stoneforge Restaurant, and Lavishly Dunn Catering.
Dental Assisting : The Endodontic Center in Stoughton, Tufts Special Needs Clinics, Dr. Pearlman, Foxboro, Children’s Dental Health, Dr. Halvorsen, Orthodontist, and many other general practice and specialty sites.
Medical Assisting: Compass Medical, Signature Healthcare, as well as many small private doctors’ offices.
Practical Nurse: VA Brockton, Orchard Cove, Lifecare West Bridgewater, Norton Public Schools, Mansfield Adult Day Health, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital.
One of the greatest benefits of participating in an externship is that it can lead to employment upon graduation.