© CCHMC 1/3/06 Project SEARCH copyright 1

Goal of Internships Build core skills that are: Competitive Marketable Transferable Develop culture change within the organization Allow host business staff to talents of young people with disabilities Create opportunities for “job match” Project SEARCH copyright 2

© CCHMC 1/3/06 Project SEARCH is doing more than providing valuable work experiences for students. It is massaging and changing corporate culture and the receptivity of workplaces to employ people with disabilities. Diversity World Magazine, November 2006 Project SEARCH copyright 3

Internship Opportunities Look for “Equipment, Paper and People Intensive” positions Look beyond traditional positions of food service and cleaning Identify areas where interns can learn competitive and complex skills Identify skills that can be layered and lead to job opportunities at the host site and in community Project SEARCH copyright 4

Identifying Internship Sites Seek a wide variety of sites to meet the interests of all students and build a wide base of skills All host business and on-site partners can identify new internship sites: department managers, PS instructor and job coach Possible internship sites could include departments with a high volume of entry level work, high turnover areas, and outsourced functions Project SEARCH copyright 5

Be Strategic: Skills that Lead to Jobs Identify “Core Skills” needed for multiple entry level jobs at host business or like business/job area in the community Example: Materials Management could build skills for logistics, warehousing, shipping and receiving, retail Determine high turnover areas and needed skills for those positions Project SEARCH copyright 6

Making the Internship Match Step 1: Identify the intern’s strengths. What skills and experience does s/he have What does the student like to do? Step 2: Be open to looking at your jobs differently. Can this job be accomplished in a different way? Does this job need to be done in this location, and during these hours? Can tasks be split between employees and interns? Step 3: Identify a department/manager that is looking for unique opportunities to build talent. Will the job internship site be a good environment for the student to build technical and employability skills? Is this a job rotation that may lead to long term employment by teaching the student transferable skills? Project SEARCH copyright 7

Educating Staff Marketing Program – Newsletters, Ads, etc. Conduct Information Sessions Highlight New Recruitment Stream Sensitivity Training Manager Training Before Hosting a Rotation Fifth Third Bank Manager Handbook Project SEARCH copyright 8

Sample of Administrative Skills Performed by PS interns Filing Organizing and Collating Answering Phones Data Entry Shredding Scanning/Imaging Customer Service Project SEARCH copyright 9

Sample of Hospital Internship Areas Mail Delivery Courier Patient Transport Recovery: Stocking Recovery: Escort Stocking: ER, Wards Clinic areas Pathology Sterilization Project SEARCH copyright 10

Host Business Liaison Role Markets the program internally Seeks departments to host internship sites Gives preliminary information about P S Instructor provides follow up information Introduces instructor to other key departments: Employee Health Security Human Resources Marketing Negotiates hiring opportunities Networks at like businesses for employment opportunities based on skills learned Project SEARCH copyright 11

Manager/Mentor Role Volunteer department for internship site Identify tasks that build core skills Allow instructor and coach to observe work Negotiate job description with PS staff Choose peer mentor as “point of contact” Interview student for position Notify student to confirm Give constructive feedback to coach and intern Provides natural support (lunch, staff meetings) Layer additional core skills, increases production Provide PS staff with employment suggestions Project SEARCH copyright 12

Instructor/Job Coach Role Student Interns: Assess student skills, interests and values (throughout year) Prepare the student for internship process including interview Facilitate development of career goals Develops productivity log with student and/or skill acquisition log Identifies potential hiring opportunities Advocates for hire when “good match” exists Internship Development: Observes department work Identifies core skills/essential functions for the student to learn Develop job description and possible accommodations Provides employer education on disability and supervision strategies Works with peer mentor to provide support to intern Communicates with peer mentor; identifies support and training strategies to ensure skill acquisition Project SEARCH copyright 13

Job Coach Role Observes department work Identifies core skills/essential functions Develops task analysis Confirms internship tasks with manager Teaches core skills to student Develops lean tools/accommodations Works with peer mentor to provide support Evaluates progress Layers additional skills Give feedback to student Project SEARCH copyright 14

Student Role Identify area of interest / keep open to possibilities Develop resume/data sheet – send to department Interview for internship position Learn all tasks identified on job description and reach productivity and quality standards Contact department for any absences, days off related to school calendar Be open to feedback from all staff Give two weeks notice Write “Thank You” letter to department Update portfolio and resume with new skills Repeat process three times Project SEARCH copyright 15

Internships to Job 1 st Internship: Administrative Office – focus on phone skills 2 nd Rotation: Consumer Lending – focus on computer skills 3 rd Rotation: Receptionist in Lobby (combine and add skills) Hired as receptionist Promoted to HR in 2 years Project SEARCH copyright 16