All students that attend The Sound School are required to complete a Supervised Occupational Experience each and every year.

The State of Connecticut mandates this requirement of participation, as The Sound School is one of Connecticut's 19 VoAg Centers. This experience must meet the minimum requirement of 150 hours per year. Upon completion of the 150 S.O.E. hours students are awarded one nonacademic credit, these credits go towards the student's Aquaculture or Agriculture Completion Certificate. If a student does not earn the required S.O.E. hours the student will be in jeopardy of being dismissed from The Sound School.

During the past several years our students have had the opportunity to visit Mystic Seaport, Atlantic City Sail Expo, The CT Marine Trades Expo, Boston Fishing Show, Foxwoods Trout Hatchery and Whale Watches just to name a few. Some examples of where students have found employment are Petco, Bud's Fish Market, Guilford Boat Yards, D.J. King, West Marine, Boaters World, National Marine Fisheries, New Haven Yacht Club, Schooner Sound Learning, Aquatic Pool & Spa Service, Amistad America and West Rock Nature Center. Students must be able to demonstrate how their employment is either aquaculturally or agriculturally related.