The Technology Early Career Preparation Intervention Project: The Internship
As part of the TECH-Prep program, students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have the opportunity to complete a 40-hour paid summer internship. The internship is a hands-on workplace experience that provides students with an opportunity to apply the professional and technology-related skills introduced during the 12-week TECH-Prep course. During the internship, students work in community businesses who have partnered with the project to gain practical work experience to help build their future careers.
How do Students Gain Real-World Experience?
Through the internship experience, participants have opportunities to:
- Experience a professional workplace in a real working environment
- Practice communicating with supervisors and coworkers
- Learn how to follow workplace expectations and procedures
- Develop teamwork and problem-solving skills
- Explore personal interests, strengths, and career possibilities
What Workplace Readiness Skills do Students Learn?
During the internship, participants can put important workplace-readiness skills into practice, including:
- Professional etiquette
- Time management
- Following directions
- Interpersonal skills
- Self-advocacy
- Adaptability
- Perseverance
- Accepting correction and feedback
- Taking initiative
- Personal independence
- Networking
Why is the Internship Important?
Technology-focused jobs are rapidly expanding. It is important for students to consider a wide range of work opportunities, including STEM careers in science, technology, engineering or math-related (STEM) fields. Real work experience helps better prepare students to meet their postsecondary employment and postsecondary education goals. The TECH-Prep internship provides youth with IDD an opportunity to build confidence, explore career interests in STEM fields, practice professional skills, and better understand what to expect in future employment.
Learn More: https://idd.vcurrtc.org/research/rs3.cfm
The contents of this infographic were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number #90RTEM0013). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this infographic do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.