How Does CVR Prep Students With Disabilities for Paid Internships?
Some high schools teach the soft skills young adults need for successful careers, but other students are left to figure them out on the job or by taking advice from parents.
The Center for Vocational Rehabilitation (CVR) offers a stronger level of support for students with disabilities. The program is open to students with disabilities ages 16–21 who are eligible or potentially eligible for Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) in Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, and Mercer counties.
Not only does CVR help students obtain their first paid internships, but CVR provides training on all those important career skills — interviewing, appropriate workplace communication, asking for help, handling feedback, self advocacy, workplace expectations, transportation/planning, professional behavior, managing first-day anxiety, and more.
In fact, before interns set foot in the local businesses where they'll be interning, they spend three weeks on workforce readiness training so they have the polish and confidence to succeed right from the first day on the job. CVR instructors also explore students' interests and strengths to help them connect to meaningful career paths.
Then, CVR supports both students and local employers throughout the 150 hours of internship time to ensure positive experiences for both. Often, these paid internships are stepping stones to long-term employment.
Schools, families, counselors, and employers interested in the Paid Internship Program should contact the Center for Vocational Rehabilitation and learn more at cvrus.org/programs/supported-employment.
