From Work Experience to Job Offers: Celebrating SEA 2026

For 41 young Mississippians, summer 2026 offered more than a break from the classroom. It offered an opportunity to step into real workplaces, take on new responsibilities and discover what they can accomplish.

The Institute for Disability Studies’ 2026 Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA), offered in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS), provided students with disabilities opportunities to build employment skills through intensive career preparation followed by hands-on internship experiences in businesses and organizations across Mississippi.

And for some students, those summer internships led to something even bigger: a job offer.

Before SEA students reported for their internships, they spent an intensive week preparing for what they would encounter on the job.

Students worked on skills that employers expect in virtually every workplace, including teamwork, communication, professionalism, interviewing and resume development. They also explored self-advocacy, stress management and other skills that can help young adults navigate workplace expectations with greater confidence and independence.

That preparation was then put into practice as students transitioned from the classroom into real workplaces.

Throughout the summer, SEA students gained experience in an array of industries and work environments. Internship sites included Laurel Mercantile, DoubleTree by Hilton in Hattiesburg, Ramey’s Marketplace locations in Columbia and Florence, PX Tires in Purvis, Graves in Tylertown, East Marion Elementary, IDS front offices, The University of Southern Mississippi Research Library in Hattiesburg, Boys & Girls Club in Gulfport, Hancock County Animal Shelter, Addie McBryde Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Jackson, and The Salad Station locations in Gulfport and D’Iberville, among others.

The variety gave students opportunities to experience different types of workplaces while learning an important lesson: workplace skills are built by doing.

“This summer, I worked at a grocery store and learned a lot about customer service and teamwork,” said SEA student Kevin. “It was a great experience that helped me become more responsible and confident.”

For several SEA participants, employers saw enough during the summer to want the relationship to continue.

After completing her internship at The Salad Station in D’Iberville, Emme was hired as a part-time employee and is now continuing to work at the restaurant—a transition from intern to employee that demonstrates exactly what can happen when young people have an opportunity to show an employer what they can contribute.

Mariah also turned her summer experience into employment, accepting a part-time position with Ramey’s Marketplace in Columbia following her internship.

For Kevin, an internship with Ramey’s Marketplace in Florence resulted in a job offer as well. The store wanted Kevin to continue working with the team, but the position required morning availability for stocking that conflicted with his class schedule. Although he ultimately could not accept the position, receiving the offer was a meaningful accomplishment in itself—and evidence that his work made an impression on his employer.

Parents saw those changes taking place, too.

“My son has gained valuable work experience at the grocery store through this program, which has helped him build confidence and responsibility,” said Kanesha, an SEA parent. “These experiences have strengthened his independence and better prepared him for future employment. Thank you so much!”

For another family, SEA helped provide the bridge between preparing for employment and actually beginning a first job.

“We are very thankful for the Summer Enrichment Academy,” said parent Ashley Tabor. “My daughter has gained so much confidence in her abilities. The support and encouragement the program provided were exactly what she needed to take the next step in life and begin her first job. We truly appreciate the positive impact this program has had on her growth and independence.”

But not every lesson learned during an internship can be captured on a resume.

At the Boys & Girls Club in Gulfport, SEA student Cambree discovered that her work experience was also about relationships, responsibility and understanding the impact she could have on others.

“At the Boys and Girls Club, I had the opportunity to build relationships with children from different backgrounds,” Cambree said. “I enjoyed spending time with them, helping with activities, and creating a fun and positive environment where they felt safe and supported. I learned how important it is to listen, encourage, and be a positive role model.”

The experience also helped her think about her own future.

“Overall, I am thankful for both internship experiences because they helped me grow personally and professionally,” she said. “They taught me valuable skills that I will use in my future career, and they made me even more excited to continue working with children and making a positive difference in their lives.”

That combination of skill development, exploration and real-world experience is at the heart of SEA.

A summer internship does not have to result immediately in a job offer to be successful. Sometimes success looks like learning how to communicate with a supervisor, completing a new task independently, discovering an unexpected career interest or becoming more comfortable interacting with customers and coworkers.

Sometimes it is simply being able to say, as Jackson did, “I have grown in my confidence.”

For the 41 students who participated in SEA 2026, the summer provided an opportunity to move beyond talking about employment and experience it firsthand. They entered workplaces across Mississippi as interns, contributed to the daily work of businesses and organizations, built relationships with coworkers and supervisors, and returned home with experiences they can carry into their next classroom, internship or job.

And for students across SEA, the skills, confidence and independence developed this summer will continue long after the internships themselves have ended.

The 2026 Summer Enrichment Academy was made possible through the Institute for Disability Studies’ continued partnership with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.