How Riipen ensures high-quality student work for employers.

When it comes to internships and co-op programs, student talent is a critical component for success. If you hire a student who struggles with deadlines, communicates poorly, or lacks key technical skills, your projects will suffer. So how can you recruit the right talent to ensure high-quality student work? Partner with Riipen. 

For the past decade, Riipen has facilitated over 250,000 learning experiences that have paired employers with talented students. Our student sourcing and vetting processes ensure that only motivated and qualified students apply, so you can rest assured your program goals will be met.

Here’s how Riipen makes finding and working with the right students simple, reliable, and impactful.

1. Student sourcing. 

Recruiting eager students with the right skills can be a challenge for busy employers. Many organizations lack the necessary contacts at academic institutions or the time to reach out to students directly. Riipen addresses this issue by offering access to active post-secondary students who are eager for real-world experience. 

Student talent comes to us through education partnerships with over 2,000 colleges, universities, and training partners; alumni who are proven performers from past projects and are ready for greater responsibility; and direct applications from career-driven students seeking opportunities to hone their durable and technical skills.  

Our students represent a diverse range of disciplines, including STEM, Business, and Arts & Humanities. So whether you are looking for student work and talent to build a website, write a grant, or develop a social media campaign, we have qualified candidates who meet your needs. Last year, we enabled employers to successfully hire over 37,000 students for internships, co-ops, and other short-term, project-based experiences.

2. Vetting process.

Riipen's vetting process can be broken down into three simple steps to ensure students meet the criteria employers are looking for.

Step 1: Screening and assessment

To ensure students are professional and reliable, Riipen carefully screens all applicants before they're accepted onto the platform. Each student's skills, experience, time management practices, and approach to real-world challenges are assessed to confirm their readiness for work-based learning.

Step 2: Onboarding and verification

Accepted students then complete Riipen's onboarding process, which includes verification of enrollment, orientation, and an interview to confirm that they understand and are prepared to meet employer expectations.

Step 3: Commitment to professionalism

Finally, students sign Riipen's code of conduct, committing to accountability, respectful communication, responsiveness, and professional reliability throughout their projects.

Taken together, these three steps ensure that students on our platform approach employer projects seriously and possess the necessary skills to deliver successful outcomes.

The “Riipen Ready” framework.

Students who directly apply to Riipen through FuturePath, a program backed by the Government of Canada, commit to an additional set of professional behaviors. The five behaviors or “Riipen Ready” framework are designed to reduce employer oversight and increase collaboration. They include:

• Communication: Shares ideas clearly and provides proactive updates.
• Critical Thinking: Asks thoughtful questions, applies sound judgment, and solves problems effectively.
• Professionalism: Reliable, respectful, and consistent in meeting deadlines.
• Creativity: Brings fresh perspectives, offers innovative solutions, and adapts quickly.
• ‍Employability: Demonstrates career-ready skills, collaboration, and dependability employers can trust.

Due to our rigorous sourcing and vetting processes, over 9,400 employers successfully partnered with Riipen last year to meet their hiring needs through student work. But don’t take our word for it. Here are what some employers have said about students they hired from our platform:

“We’ve had such a great experience working with Sahil. He's a real team player who always shows up on time for calls and work sessions. Sahil is an active listener, asks the right questions, and delivers work with honesty and integrity. He’s respectful, communicates well, is organized, and has an excellent work ethic. On top of that, his research and analysis skills are great for his age/experience.” Asli Kahraman, Founder & CEO, Operations Mavenue Consulting 

“Gayathri was such a joy to work with! She stayed on top of deadlines, communicated clearly, and produced really strong work. I especially appreciated how proactive she was about flagging challenges and suggesting solutions. It made the whole project run smoothly.” Jasmine Williams, Founder & CEO, Jasmine Williams MEDIA  

“Working with my UVA Riipen interns was nothing short of transformative. From day one, they showed up with commitment, energy, and a willingness to roll up their sleeves and get it done — in every way and form. Each of them brought unique strengths in their respective disciplines, and together they helped elevate my business to the next level.” Stefan Simkovics, CEO and Founder, Rasant/Straps

Best of all, employers can use Riipen at no cost for their student hiring needs. To learn how we can help you enhance your recruiting and support through student work, schedule a demo today.