ALTAMONTE SPRINGS. Fla. – Students are getting results for the upcoming school year and their futures through summer internships.
As part of the Educational Pathways (ePathways) program in Seminole County Public Schools, some students with special needs are receiving school credit for their summer internships.
Students are gaining valuable skills to help them on personal, educational and professional levels.
At Bright Feats, a local directory of services for families with children that have special needs, interns assist with social media support, data entry and packing and mailing.
The students are learning how to use office equipment, work in teams and conduct themselves as young professionals.
"I think I've gotten a lot better at communicating with other people and using apps to make social media posts," rising senior Catherine Olvey said.
While meeting them at their ability level in an environment that accommodates their needs, these internships are helping students with special needs grow and are preparing them for the workforce.
"We not only provided the work experience, but the vocational training; working on resumes and keeping them updated, practicing job interview skills, giving a good handshake and looking people in the eye," Danielle Mojica, a transition resource teacher, said.
Bright Feats is hoping to learn from the summer intern program and help create more opportunities for young people with special needs to work in the community.