It’s one thing to tell a student what might be possible.
It’s another to introduce them to someone who has already done it.
Recently, Spartan Project SEARCH welcomed several former interns back for a visit. This time, they weren’t arriving as students preparing for their next chapter. They returned as graduates with jobs, experiences and stories of their own to share.
For the current group of interns, that offered a glimpse of what could come next.
Spartan Project SEARCH helps students build employment skills through real-world experiences while preparing for the transition from school to adult life. Along the way, interns learn how to navigate workplaces, develop independence, build relationships and discover where their strengths can take them.
Those lessons become especially meaningful when former interns walk back through the door.
Graduates shared updates about their employment and experiences since completing the program, reconnecting with staff and encouraging the interns following behind them.
The visits also offered a reminder that the impact of Project SEARCH doesn’t end when an internship does.
Each returning graduate represents a different path forward—and tangible evidence that the skills students are practicing today can become part of the lives they build tomorrow.
For current interns still figuring out what comes next, that matters.
They don’t just have to imagine it.
They can meet someone who has lived it.
Recent Stories:
Wilson Talent Center Construction Trades instructor Jerry Johnson received the 2026 Workforce Development Advocate Award from the Home Builders Association of Michigan, recognizing his dedication to preparing students for careers in the skilled trades.
Spartan Project SEARCH interns are gaining valuable workplace experience across Michigan State University, developing practical skills, building confidence, and strengthening connections as they prepare for competitive employment.
