Graduation. A time to recognize the accomplishments made over years of academic study and hard work. All of our families and friends come to celebrate everything we have accomplished, and celebrate with us how far we have come over the years. After high school or college, most prepare either for more schooling or a job. Many prepare to move out, become independent and start their next chapter.

For others, graduating is more than just a recognition of years of schooling. A year may not seem like a lot of time for change, but for a few, that is all that is needed. For the graduates of Project Search, graduation is the ceremony that opens the doors to the opportunity to enter a field many thought these graduates would never be capable of: work.

Most of us have had some sort of job before graduating high school. Whether that had been babysitting, waiting tables, grocery bagger or tutor, we take these simple job opportunities for granted. The idea of not being qualified for any sort of job is out of most of our minds. There is indeed though individuals who have never been considered suited for handling responsibility, let alone seriously considered to have the ability to get a job done properly.

Project Search is a national organization that helps give opportunities to those usually overlooked. Through job training and orientation, in actual medical or business internships, these disregarded individuals have the opportunity to be seriously considered in the workforce. The organization was created to teach and train the skills necessary to be successful in real world jobs. This may sound like just another year of high school or a job-prep course, but to these individuals, the opportunity to study and learn with Project Search means so much more.

The interns at Project Search all have developmental disabilities. They may have a form of autism, a learning disability, or physical restriction. For their entire lives, they have been questioned whether they were capable or not. People have been assuming that, because of their disability, they would never really be able to understand or work independently. They have been undermined and excused because of their restrictions. But with every successful graduation through Project Search, we are able to see these individuals are capable of achieving behind what was ever initially expected.

My brother has autism. He was also a part of the recent 2016 Project Search graduating class and has secured a pharmaceutical job for the summer. Growing up, he struggled and fought with autism. But I have seen him grow and learn, and have known my whole life that he is just as ready, if not more than me, to take on the world. Project Search sees this quality in each of its interns. When I saw others not have as much faith in my brother as I did, I was confused. My brother, just like many others out there, is an extremely motivated young adult with hopes and desires to land a successful and fulfilling job, just as all of us do. He and so many others deserve the opportunity to have noteworthy jobs. This past year, because of Project Search, my brother, and all have his graduating class, have changed. I have personally seen my brother mature and grow, especially this past year, becoming completely responsible for himself.

Project Search helps more than just individuals with disabilities find jobs though. It opens the minds of businesses and clinics and teaches them acceptance and equality. Before opening their doors to Project Search interns, many employers admit to being hesitant, unsure if these interns would be able to follow the rules and procedures, handle the work and complete the job well. But after a year of having these individuals working through jobs, all the employers involved realized just how mistaken they were. They came to see that they completely underestimated these individuals and their ethic to try, work hard and be successful.

Project Search helps orientate individuals to new jobs while simultaneously it helps orientate the mindset of employers. Anyone can do anything with a little help and motivation.

As Project Search continues to grow, we are helping to support a community greater in employment, opportunity and acceptance for all individuals.