Discover Project SEARCH, a unique internship program designed for adults with disabilities. See videos of Project SEARCH, learn about internship opportunities, the recruitment and application process, and get your questions answered. Project SEARCH is a business-led collaboration that enables adults with disabilities to gain and maintain employment through training and skills acquisition! There are two separate adult program sites in Knoxville: East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

Site One
When: August 19, 2025, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Breakthrough Corporation, 1700 Liberty Street, Knoxville, TN 
 

Site Two
When: September 16, 2025, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Koppel Plaza Building, 2nd Floor, 2018 Clinch Ave. Knoxville, TN

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Eligibility Criteria:

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• 18 years and older

• Willing to access services from Vocational Rehabilitation Services

• Ability to function in a smoke free environment

• Pass a drug screen and criminal background check

• Have all updated immunizations

• Willing to comply with host hospital’s policies on vaccination

• Willing to complete the entire 9-month, unpaid internship

• Desire to work in the community upon graduation from Project SEARCH

 

For more information or to request needed accommodations contact: 

 

Beth Edwards EAEdwards2@utmck.edu  or

Carrie Hopper Carrie@sertoma.com

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A Typical Day

 

Project SEARCH Program Dates:

February 9th to mid-October 2026

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Monday-Friday

8:00am – 3:00pm

 

8:00am – 9:00am

Employability Skills Class:

Lessons are based on employability skills, i.e., problem solving, team work, decision making, budgeting, check writing, resume writing.

 

9:00am – 2:15pm

Internship Sites: Interns participate in non-paid job internship sites throughout the hospital. Each intern rotates through three different internships to gain competitive marketable skills. Interns break for lunch with their department.

 

2:15pm

Reflection and Planning: Interns sign out at 3:00pm and, if available, take public transportation home.

 

The internships are planned to meet the needs of the business and interns. The internships are designed to teach marketable, competitive, and transferable skills.