2018 TASH Conference

The Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University, which runs InclusiveU, recognized that their graduating students needed better preparation for employment once they left the campus. In 2015, the Project SEARCH model was adapted for use with post-secondary students on campus. The non-traditional use of this model has allowed students to gain access to the skills necessary to find competitive employment in their community. Blending the model with an academic major has created a unique capstone experience for our students in their final year. Using their course of study, students are matched with internships that enhance their working skill set by mindful planning of the structure and implementation of responsibilities at each site. This attentive planning has assisted students in transitioning from the role of "student" to the role of "employee". Additionally students are also travel trained during internships, to facilitate independence following graduation from the university. The program makes use of a variety of iPad apps such as Timestation, Find My Friends, Habitica, and many others to help students stay organized and to improve self-monitoring while working independently. Program staff have been innovative and flexible to accommodate the needs of both the students and the internship sites on campus. Working alongside University and community business partners, internships have evolved in to job opportunities both on and off campus. In this session participants will learn how this non-traditional model is used, how to create internships to address individual student needs, and how to create a network of community business partners.