MDRS internship program helps build student confidence and fill employers’ needs

Businesses interested in helping students with disabilities gain exposure to different job sectors are invited to partner with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS), which pairs younger people with their career interests at no cost to companies.

Benefits for students include building confidence and gaining work skills, while partnering companies provide risk-free training with no hiring obligations, along with wages and worker compensation insurance provided by MDRS.

“We want people to have awareness that individuals with disabilities can add a lot of value to the workplace because they have skills and abilities. We also want to get people out of the mindset of hearing, ‘disability,’ and thinking it’s someone who lacks ability,” said Heather Collums, business relations program coordinator. 

“We want employers to understand participants can add value to their workplace, not just in their skills and knowledge but also in the sense of workplace culture. There’s a lot that can be said for having a pleasant place to work and diversifying your workforce,” she added.

The Monroe Journal recently hosted Addie Swan, who is a student in Mississippi State University’s ACCESS Program, for a summer internship. The Cason native is a graduate of Nettleton High School’s Class of 2023.

“I’m glad MDRS reached out and told me about it. They’ve helped me out in so many ways like financial assistance for school. Without them, I would not be in the ACCESS program,” she said.

Swan spent two days a week at the newspaper learning about editorial, advertising and office duties, in addition to two days a week interning with WCBI’s news department.

“I got to go out in the field to see what it’s like with a reporter and see how TV does its style versus how the newspaper does it and how it’s put together,” she said. “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always liked the news to see what’s going on. I just like seeing what’s out there and keeping up with what’s in the know.”

This year was Swan’s second summer interning with WCBI, and she plans to intern with MSU’s Television Center this year.

“We want to give people a chance to prove themselves. That’s why we like the internships and work-based learning programs we have so they can prove themselves or learn skills they didn’t have,” Collums said.

Through the internship program, which can start and end any time during the year, MDRS works with students as young as 16 years old.

“We are an eligibility program, meaning people have to qualify for our services and have a documented disability that’s some type of barrier to employment for us to assist them,” Collums said.

Swan encourages students to consider internships and job shadowing opportunities.

“Always go in with an open mind because you never know what you’re going to get yourself into,” she said. “The internships helped me have better communication skills.”

At the Monroe Journal, she shadowed story interviews, helped in providing article and photo submissions, researched in completing advertising prospect lists, assisted in a sales pitch and helped with office manager duties.

“Writing articles was big for me, especially having my byline in the paper,” Swan said.

She’s unsure of her future plans after graduation.

MDRS provides assistance for several different age groups.

“It’s not just for younger adults in college or high school, we have programs for older adults who develop a disability. As we age, a lot of things happen and people’s situations can change and they have to pivot in their career. In those cases, we help with retraining or helping people develop a new skill or using their current skill and adding skills,” Collums said.

Individuals with vision, communication or hearing impairments have benefited from assistive technology MDRS offers in order to do their jobs. Additionally, the agency offers disability awareness training for companies.

“At the end of the day, it’s not just who you work around but who you live around in the community. We’re surrounded by disability, and everyone is effected in some shape or form,” Collums said. “We talk about disabilities and how to make our workplace more accessible and welcoming. A lot of times, we aren’t aware of something unless it effects us directly.”

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