March was a busy and productive month for the Spartan Project SEARCH 2025-26 cohort as interns continued developing the skills needed for success in the workplace and beyond.
Spartan Project SEARCH is a transition-to-work program that combines classroom instruction with immersive internship experiences to help young adults with disabilities prepare for competitive employment.
Throughout the month, interns participated in Employment Planning Meetings at their internship sites. These meetings allow interns to review their progress, receive feedback from supervisors, and identify areas for continued growth.
Each intern also worked with program staff to create personalized goals designed to strengthen their employability skills and support their continued development.
By the end of March, interns successfully completed their second internship rotation, making measurable progress toward the goals they set earlier in the year.
In the classroom, students focused on important life skills that support long-term success both at work and at home.
Lessons included:
- Making healthy food choices
- Developing strategies for managing stress
- Maintaining a balanced diet
- Staying physically active
These topics help interns build the foundational habits needed to sustain both personal wellness and professional success.
The cohort also hosted Skills Day for students interested in applying to the program next year. Current interns led activities and shared their experiences, helping prospective students better understand what the program offers and how it prepares participants for the workforce.
Classroom learning remained a key component of the program throughout the month.
Students participated in activities such as a March Madness bracket challenge, group discussions about how stress impacts the body, and collaborative lessons designed to build communication and problem-solving skills.
Together, these classroom experiences complement the hands-on learning happening at internship sites across Michigan State University, helping interns strengthen both their technical abilities and their confidence.
As the cohort looks ahead to spring break and the start of their third internship rotation, the focus remains clear: building the skills, independence, and experience that will help each intern succeed in the workforce.
Recent Stories:
When school leaders work together, student voices grow stronger. Representatives from Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, and Shiawassee Counties recently gathered through the CARES Collaborative to meet with legislative officials and discuss education priorities, school funding, and the future of public education across the region. The CARES Collaborative—Capital Area Regional Education Strategy—was formed to strengthen regional advocacy efforts and ensure schools have a stronger, more unified voice in policy conversations.
Graduation season is about more than ceremonies—it’s about preparing students for what comes next. Recently, Wilson Talent Center students in the Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics programs celebrated senior send-offs filled with recognition, encouragement, and lessons from professionals already working in the field. At Wilson Talent Center, students gain hands-on experience across 20 career-focused programs designed to help them build real-world skills and confidence for life after high school.
