PRACTICAL WORK (aka WINTER WORK)
The practical work period between the first and second semesters of each of the four years is an integral part of the academic program. These periods of eight weeks duration give the student the opportunity to see the practical side of classroom studies, to see and handle the hardware of the profession; to apply the theory learned in class; to learn how to work and cooperate with others; and to develop a practical viewpoint which will assist in development and design later on.

The Institute will assist in securing positions with advice to the students and the establishment of liaison with various companies. The sequence usually consists of working as a helper mechanic in a shipyard the first year; as a cadet/observer in the engine room of a ship the second year; and in a design office as a draftsman or junior engineer the third and fourth years. The students are paid at the going rate of their jobs, sufficient to support themselves while away from school. Rooms can usually be located through the company employment departments.

Each student is required to present a technical report on the practical work undertaken during each of the four winter intersessional periods. The immediate supervisor is also invited to comment on the student's performance. Additionally, a Sophomore Sea Term Project is required following the work term spent aboard ship.

ENGINEERING VISITS
Visits of inspection are made by individual classes to nearby shipbuilding, dry docking and repair yards, other engineering plants and to vessels in the vicinity. These visits are arranged through the courtesy of the managing officials of the companies. In order to develop their powers of observation and to improve their ability to write technical reports, the students are required to submit brief reports of their observations immediately after each visit.

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY INVOLVEMENT
All students become student members of the two premier national professional societies for naval architects and marine engineers: The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers — SNAME (of which William H. Webb was a founder in 1893) — and The American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE). A joint SNAME/ASNE student section provides Webb students with easy contact with the New York Metropolitan Section of SNAME and with the twenty-four other student sections in North America.

Webb students are frequent attendees at the monthly technical meetings (and dinners) of the “parent” New York Metropolitan Section of SNAME. All Webb seniors attend the SNAME annual conference and exposition — The Society Maritime Technology Conference and Exposition (SMTC & E) — wherever it is held — all expenses paid. Other specialized symposia — like SNAME’s Chesapeake Sailing Yacht Symposium and Classic Yacht Symposium are usually well-attended by Webb students.