Project SEARCH graduates learn workplace skills, explore career paths

Project SEARCH, an internship program for young adults with disabilities, graduated its most recent group of interns on Thursday, May 18.

The students are typically either in their senior year of high school or below the age of 23. The interns were employed at Holloman Air Force Base as part of the program for a full school year, from August through May.

Four students graduated from Project SEARCH this year: Ainsley Johnson, Gabriel Porras, Terrah Rodriguez and Alex Montoya.

“We take an unlimited number of applicants, and we score the interns based on tasks they complete,” 49th Wing School Liaison Program Manager for Holloman LaurieAnn Goodier said. “Once we get the info back and score them, we look at them holistically because we may have interns that have a disability that won’t necessarily impact them gaining employment.”

Throughout the internship students were taught practical skills in various working environments within Holloman.

“One of the interview questions we ask the interns is what their dream job may be. We have instances where an intern may say they want to be a door greeter at Walmart so what we want to do is open their aperture,” Goodier said.

Goodier said interns are exposed to new career paths in the program. Interns worked at auto body shops, hotels and restaurants in or around the base.

Rodriguez had the opportunity to work within the recreational department at Holloman and said she gained experience she can take with her to any number of jobs.

“My time in the program was so fun and I learned things I wouldn’t normally learn in school. I got to learn how to run a front desk for recreation,” Rodriguez said. “I got to make phone calls and some computer work to make reservations.”

Goodier said interns like Rodriguez worked closely with teachers, staff and a mentor.

“My favorite person was Ms. Braxton, my mentor who would stand next to me and help me every day, basically teaching me how to do her job there,” Rodriguez said. “She taught me how to run the front desk but would let me do it myself. For two days, I was allowed to run the position myself and so many people were polite and kind.”

After interns complete the one-year program, they may have the opportunity to receive employment.

“We have one intern who works for a child development center who works for the city of Alamogordo now who is looking to return to base for employment as well,” Goodier said.

According to Project SEARCH's website, interns are referred through schools or by family members. Goodier said the program has selected four interns for the 2023-2024 school year.

Project SEARCH originated from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. While Holloman Air Force Base is the first military base in New Mexico to host Project SEARCH, there are several other sites for the program in New Mexico, including the City of Farmington.

“We just finished our fifth year for Project SEARCH here in Farmington,” Instructor and Program Manager for Project SEARCH in Farmington, Chelsea Chairion said. “We graduated seven interns and are looking to accept between eight through 10 for next school year.”

Chairion said most of the interns that graduate through the program work within the Farmington City Parks Department and for the local school district.

“Many of our interns really look for those entry level positions and will work within various departments, one works with animal care for instance,” Chairion said.

Goodier said the interns first begin the program nervous but show who they are as the year goes on and Rodriguez was a perfect example of that.

“I just want future interns to know that they should not be so nervous and if they have the confidence, they just have to show it,” said Rodriguez. “I was super nervous but that’s the one thing, Project SEARCH has helped bring my confidence up so high that I am more open now than I was when I was younger.”

Juan Corral can be reached at JCorral@gannett.com or on twitter at @Juan36Corr

This article originally appeared on Alamogordo Daily News: Project SEARCH trains interns for real-world jobs