Adrian, MI – The newest class of Project SEARCH interns at ProMedica Hickman Hospital is starting the year strong, building both situational awareness skills and workplace confidence.
This year’s group is a little different. Three of the five interns came through the Lenawee Intermediate School District’s Adult Transition Support Services (ATSS) program before applying for Project SEARCH. According to Project SEARCH Coordinator Glen Bowman, that extra step gave them an important boost.
“Often, Project SEARCH interns are students who just graduated high school the year prior, who demonstrated through the assessment process during their senior year that they would be a good fit for the program and vice versa. At the ATSS program these three interns demonstrated increased independence and effective communication skills through community-based learning experiences before applying for Project SEARCH,” Bowman said
The first two weeks of Project SEARCH is all about setting the tone for their first of three 12-week internship rotations. Interns spend time learning what it takes to move from a school environment to a workplace. That means focusing on active listening, self-advocacy, teamwork, workplace safety, and the kind of soft skills employers expect.
“This week gives them the tools to thrive,” Bowman explained. “It is about understanding and following through with expectations, practicing strong communication, and building the endurance it takes to make it through a workday independently.”
When asked why students learn both CPR and AED training so early in the program, Bowman smiled and said, “Because you never know. This training not only boosts their confidence, but it also shows them the importance of clear communication and staying calm under pressure. Those are skills they can use anywhere.”
Bowman says that while some interns need reminders about active listening, the training brings out meaningful progress.
“I see it when they ask good questions on employment tours or when they work together on team-building activities,” he said. “They even encourage each other during instruction, holding one another accountable to grow. That is something special.”
He also shared that partnerships like this make all the difference for the program.
“It shows that ProMedica values the presence and contributions of our interns,” he said. “By investing in these students, they are investing in the local community by supporting job development for young people who received special education services in school who are eager to find and sustain gainful employment.”
As for the year ahead, Bowman is excited to see each intern’s personality shine.
“They are a fun group,” he said. “They show up every day ready to participate and ready to take on the challenge of moving from school to the work world.”
With the support of mentors, community partners, and each other, this group of interns is on the path to a bright future.