The UNMC Nebraska Medicine Project SEARCH program was initiated in 2015 to create unpaid internship opportunities to help individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities gain knowledge and skills which could potentially lead to paid employment. This 10-month program targets job seekers 20 years of age and older who benefit from total immersion in a business setting. Potential interns are either in their last year of transition or already receiving adult developmental disability day (vocational) services. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration and hands-on training through three 10-week internship site rotations. A successful outcome for an intern is competitive employment on campus or in the community.

Project SEARCH students gain experience in a variety of settings

• Environmental Services
• Food Services
• Office Administrative Support
• Bio Med Instrumentation and Imaging Services
• Clinical Services
• Patient Services

This program continues to grow in the amount of internship sites available on campus.

Program Outcomes

• Since inception in January 2015; more than 65 total clients have been accepted into Project SEARCH
• 92% graduation rate
• 88% competitive employment rate among graduates
• Meet our previous graduates (PDF)

Internship Opportunities

• Environmental Services
• Food Services
• General and Specified Maintenance
• Inventory Management and Stocking
• Laboratory Assistant Support
• Office Administration Support
• Product Delivery
• Supply Chain Management

Project SEARCH Collaborative Partners

• Munroe-Meyer Institute
• Nebraska Medicine
• The University of Nebraska Medical Center
• Madonna School's Employment Services Program
• Omaha Public Schools
• Sodexo
• Cardinal Health
• NE Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
• Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
• The Assistive Technology Partnership

Learn more about Project SEARCH

View a webinar transcript detailing the program's operations.

The UNMC Nebraska Medicine Project SEARCH site is the largest in the state of Nebraska. This is the only mixed site, consisting of transition-age students and adults 21 years of age and older.

Currently, there are 13 students enrolled in the 2019-2020 class.

For more information about the program and admission process, please email Saige Vohs.

See more information about National Project SEARCH.