At Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS), we’re incredibly thankful for the community partnerships that help our students grow and succeed. Programs like Project SEARCH are a great example of what’s possible when schools and local businesses work together. They don’t just help students build job skills – they open doors, build confidence, and make a real difference in our community.
The Project SEARCH Transition-to-Work Program is a nationally recognized model that helps high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities successfully transition into the workforce. Through hands-on internships at local businesses, students gain real-world job experience that prepares them for meaningful employment.
Currently, Tennessee hosts 17 active Project SEARCH programs, including four in Memphis: Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Methodist North Hospital, Nike Distribution Center, and The Peabody hotel.
“Partnering with a national program has been an amazing opportunity not just for students and their families but for the District as a whole,” said Dr. Tiffany Lucket, Executive Director of Exceptional Education at MSCS.
To participate, students in the MSCS district must be referred by their teachers and complete an assessment process. Once accepted, interns embark on a one-year program that begins with classroom instruction and skills training before transitioning into workplace internships.
Lead Instructor Rebecca Kigaita has spent over seven years at Methodist North Hospital, guiding students through the program. Her passion is clear: “These are students with disabilities, so all their lives society has treated them as ‘less than.’ When they meet me, Day One, I say, ‘I believe in you!’”
In the early weeks of the program, Kigaita and her fellow instructors introduce students to the Project SEARCH curriculum, which is provided by MSCS. After this foundational training, interns rotate through three 10-week internships in different hospital departments, including food preparation, sanitation, sterile processing, security, material management, ground maintenance, patient transport, and administrative work.
The curriculum emphasizes not only the specific duties of each role but also the development of transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management. These abilities empower interns to succeed across a variety of work environments after graduation.
And succeed they do. Many Project SEARCH graduates have gone on to work for employers across Memphis, including Amazon, FedEx, Nike, Goodwill, the Sheraton Hotel, MSCS Food & Nutrition Services, and even some of the original internship sites.
Some, like Elronzo Akins, find their next chapter right where their journey began. Elronzo, a Project SEARCH graduate, is now celebrating five years of employment at Methodist North. Reflecting on his experience, he said, “Being a part of Project SEARCH was amazing. I was a brand new student, fresh out of high school, about to start my journey. My teachers and skills trainers pushed me to work hard and gave me great advice – most importantly, to have confidence and be myself.”
Alumni Elronzo Akins assists a current Project SEARCH intern
Interns gain more than just job skills. They build confidence, independence, and a sense of identity as professionals. “These students are learning real life job skills in a high status organization,” Kigaita said. “They have such pride showing their work ID, improving self-confidence, independence, self-esteem, while at no cost to themselves or their families. And they continue receiving support even after they finish the program.”
Local businesses benefit as well. They gain reliable, motivated team members in roles that often experience high turnover, while also witnessing a positive shift in workplace culture. Each intern leaves a mark. Their dedication and enthusiasm are infectious, reminding everyone of the power of purpose and perseverance.
When asked about his future goals, Akins responded simply: “Keep working hard and continue to be an inspiration to others.”
Project SEARCH is more than a job training program. It is a transformative experience – for students, educators, employers, and the community – proving what is possible when everyone is given the opportunity to thrive.
To learn more about Project SEARCH, or to inquire about implementing this program at your organization, visit projectsearch.us.
If you have a story about a MSCS student, teacher, or school to highlight, please email us at [email protected]. Include the school name, story details, and an SCSK12.ORG email for follow-up.