Inclusive Postsecondary Education & Employment Intern (UNR Path to Independence, Pack Intern, Spring '27)
**This internship is hosted by Path to Independence and sponsored by the Nevada Career Studio and ASUN.
Students are highly encouraged to complete a 15 minute drop-in or schedule an in-person or virtual 30-minute appointment with a Career Mentor BEFORE submitting an application. Resumes and cover letters that do not meet NCS best practices will not be included in applicant packages to employers.
After the application period closes in Handshake, the NCS Internships Team reviews the applicants and sends eligible students' applicant packages to employers for them to reach out to conduct interviews and make the final intern selection. Employers will contact students directly if they are interested in moving forward with them as a candidate.
About Path to Independence:
Path to Independence (P2I) is an inclusive, two-year, non-degree certificate program offering a college experience to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 2013 by Mary Bryant, Path to Independence (P2I) began as a mother’s vision to create opportunities for her daughter, who has Down Syndrome, to pursue a college education alongside her peers. What started as a small pilot program with just a handful of students has grown into a vibrant, supportive community offering a fully inclusive college experience for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Today, P2I is one of only two inclusive postsecondary education programs in Nevada. Since its founding, the program has celebrated more than 50 graduates each gaining academic skills, career readiness and the confidence to live more independently. In 2024-2025, we proudly celebrated our 10th graduating class, marking a decade of creating meaningful pathways to higher education, employment and community inclusion.
Internship Description:
The Inclusive Postsecondary Education & Employment Intern will support students with intellectual disabilities through individualized educational support and job coaching. Responsibilities will include assisting with academic organization and coursework, supporting students during work-based learning and employment experiences, helping students learn and practice job tasks, and promoting independence in educational and workplace settings. The intern will work closely with P2I staff to provide individualized support and gain hands-on experience in inclusive postsecondary education and employment services.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Provide individualized academic and educational support to P2I students.
- Assist students with organization, coursework, study skills, and college routines.
- Provide job coaching during work-based learning and employment experiences.
- Help students learn job tasks, workplace expectations, and appropriate communication.
- Support students in developing independence and gradually fading direct support.
- Communicate with P2I staff regarding student progress, needs, and areas for additional support.
- Participate in P2I activities and gain hands-on experience in inclusive postsecondary education and employment support.
Goals and Expectations of the Intern:
- Complete 120 hours of work as an intern (8-15 hours per week, 15 weeks total)
- Develop practical skills in inclusive postsecondary education and employment support.
- Build competency in individualized academic support and job coaching strategies.
- Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, consistency, effective communication, and confidentiality.
- Provide consistent, student-centered support that promotes independence rather than dependence.
- Apply knowledge and skills from coursework to authentic educational and workplace settings.
- Seek feedback from P2I staff and use feedback to improve their practice and support for students.
Required Qualifications:
- Must be a degree-seeking undergraduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno during the Spring ‘27 semester
- December ‘26 or earlier graduates are not eligible for the Pack Internship Grant Program
- Strong communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.
- Dependable, consistent, and able to follow through on assigned responsibilities.
- Comfortable working one-on-one with students and providing individualized support.
- Willingness to learn about intellectual disabilities, inclusive education, and employment support.
- Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and appropriate boundaries.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Coursework or experience in special education, education, psychology, human development, rehabilitation, social work, or a related field.
- Previous experience working with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
- Experience providing academic, tutoring, mentoring, or individualized student support.
- Experience in employment, job coaching, vocational rehabilitation, or workplace settings.
- Familiarity with person-centered practices and supporting individuals in developing greater independence.
- Interest in inclusive postsecondary education, disability services, or transition and employment services.
Desired Schedule for Intern:
10-15 hours per week during the academic semester, with a consistent weekly schedule. Hours should generally fall between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, with flexibility based on the intern’s class schedule and P2I student support needs. Consistent availability is preferred to help provide reliable support to students.
PIGP internships require interns to complete 120 hours during their internship. It is the intern’s responsibility to ensure this requirement is met.