Twelve 18 to 21-year-old BOCES students are spending the last year of high school in internships around the University of Rochester Medical Center. They work in offices, help clean strong's NICU and greet families in the hospital. Program leaders say the experience is helping the students learn skills they'll need to get a job later.

"It's putting my foot through the door right now until I actually get hired eventually, and I hope I do," said Yauneek Wallace, student.

"It teaches young students and young teens how to work on job readiness skills, and how to interview, and what's expected from an employer and what to put on your resume, and have opportunities in the future," said Lana Wolcott, Arc of Monroe County.

"I think it's an awesome opportunity, and I was one of the lucky ones that was actually able to do it," said Juana Warren, student.

Project Search started in August through the U of R’s Institute for Innovative Transition. Next year, it's expanding and adding more students from the city of Rochester.

URMC