Katelynn Carpio began her intern journey with Project SEARCH because she wanted to make her own money after graduation. Little did she know that her work at Providence Alaska Medical Center (PAMC) would become about so much more than money.
After spending a year as an intern, sampling a variety of job options, she found that what she really likes is helping people. That has led her to permanent employment in PAMC’s Food and Nutrition Department.
Project SEARCH is a one-year transition-to-work program that trains young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be competitive in the job market and find meaningful employment. Providence Alaska supports the program with educational classroom space and intern opportunities on-site.
“There are 14 departments at Providence that our interns rotate through,” said Beth Talcott, Project SEARCH teacher. “From the cafeteria to grounds maintenance, to janitorial and some patient-facing roles.”
All eight interns who completed the program in 2025 were able to secure employment at local businesses, including positions at a grocery store and a daycare center.
Samantha Gear interned with Project SEARCH after completing home school in 2021 and is now permanently employed in supply chain services. “I like fast-paced but not too fast-paced, and I can listen to playlists,” she said. Gear has also helped train eight interns in the two years since she took her job.
On the wall near the main Project SEARCH classroom are dozens of photos of past interns who have benefited from this powerful – and empowering – program. The faces in the photos are smiling, eager to learn and proud of their accomplishments. And for many, Providence becomes their employer of choice.
