April 2022

Spartan Project SEARCH is a one year, school-to-work transition program that provides training and education through internships within departments throughout Michigan State University. Collaboratively, the program prepares young adults with disabilities to enter the workforce with marketable and transferable skills. Spartan Project SEARCH is sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

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Spartan Project SEARCH interns have launched into their final rotation of the school year and are continuing to challenge themselves as they prepare for competitive and integrated employment opportunities after graduation. Intern growth and maturity is not only evident in the classroom, but site supervisors and co-workers have noticed the development of soft-skills in the workplace, independence and the confidence with navigation around campus.

As interns progress through this last 10-week rotation, they will take the lead with their Employment Planning Meetings, which are designed to get feedback from site supervisor to discuss needed skills for the workplace.

This is a great opportunity for interns to learn what employers expect, how to receive constructive criticism, how to create realistic goals, and the action steps required to meet their goals. Collaboration with Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) is what makes Spartan Project SEARCH unique. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Justine Bond, will assist interns to develop employment opportunities after graduation and to explore opportunities for their future.



In addition, Spartan Project SEARCH would like to thank our participating job sites. Without your participation, this program would not be possible.  

Sparty’s Cafe began their partnership with Spartan Project SEARCH at its inception over 6 years ago. Spartan Project SEARCH is excited to partner with such a great department, and to work directly with Chandos McCoy who serves as the manager for multiple Sparty’s Cafe locations. Spartan Project SEARCH has had the pleasure to work with not only Chandos, but also with the amazing staff that support Sparty's Cafes across campus.

When asked about Spartan Project SEARCH, Chandos was enthusiastic to talk about his involvement with this work-based program. “My involvement with Spartan Project SEARCH goes way back. I have always been interested in supporting programs like this, so I jumped at the chance.”

When asked about his involvement and the benefits observed to his department and staff, he stated “I hope it shows we care. We are willing to give back on the front end with the end result being we all benefit from the overall experience. These benefits are many. First it should be about the Project SEARCH intern and their takeaways. Next, our employees benefit from all aspects of the interactions with the SEARCH interns such as appreciation, understanding, humility, and to see joy in the simple accomplishments’ life has to offer everyone. They get to become like a teacher.” 

For any future sites who might be interested, Chandos provides this advice, “Look for reasons to say yes! You get out of life what you put into it. With Project SEARCH, the benefits more than outweigh the efforts. Every effort does not always work out the best but the sum of all of the efforts is significant.” 

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