Program Overview

The Aspire Works Internship Program offers structured support to help adults navigate the transition into the workforce and build essential on-the-job skills. Our internship participants are carefully matched with Aspire’s employer partners. Our Career Coaches provide on-going training and consultation, creating positive and fulfilling work experiences for all. 

Internship Participants:  

  • Adults 18+ years old.
  • On the autism spectrum with an Asperger profile, or adults who identify with a related social-cognitive profile. 
  • Capable and ready to contribute their technical/professional skills to the workplace.
  • Motivated to engage in self-reflection and learn. 
  • Driven towards independence.
  • While our participants are typically skilled in various aspects of a job or task, they often have challenges navigating the social world. 

Internship Structure: 

  • Work hours are typically 10-40 hours per week for 10-12 weeks per session.
  • Placements can be in person, hybrid, or fully remote (determined by company).
  • Weekly virtual career coaching sessions with the intern and employer manager to provide wrap-around support and supported feedback.
  • On-site visits from Career Coach at the beginning, middle, and end of internship.
  • Weekly 75-minute virtual group seminars to engage in structured learning, peer feedback and connectivity, and skill-building.

Internship Goals: 

  • To engage in a work experience that targets skills and strengths, while also helping to recognize and address any weaknesses.
  • To learn and practice workplace “soft skills” such as communication, flexibility, business etiquette, etc.
  • To prepare and practice for future employment (part-time, full-time, another internship).
  • To build self-awareness and a personal workplace toolbox through structured self-reflection in individual and group meetings.

Group Seminar:  

Internship participants meet as a group weekly, with their Career Coach, to discuss their work experiences and receive on-going support related to the workplace. Seminar topics include:  

  • The basics of starting a job 
  • Receiving supervision and feedback 
  • Attitude and work ethic 
  • Perspective taking 
  • The “hidden curriculum” at work 
  • Job search 
  • Interview skills 
  • Small talk/communication 
  • Social behavior 
  • Handling stress on the job
  • Disclosure/self-advocacy in the workplace

Career Coaching:  

Aspire interns are mentored by our highly trained Career Coaches. Our Career Coaches help participants to integrate into their company placement and successfully navigate the workplace environment. Career Coaches additionally support the employer partner, through an initial workshop and ongoing consultation, sharing best practices and providing strategies specific to their intern. 

Employer Partners: 

Aspire has worked with over 60 employer partners in the Metro-Boston Area including Fidelity, The Broad, Liberty Mutual, Raytheon, Copart, Massachusetts General Hospital, Safelite AutoGlass, MFA, and Massachusetts Audubon. Our employer partners are motivated to develop a more neurodiverse workplace environment. Intern placement depends on each participant’s unique skillset, aptitude, personal goals as well as the unique needs of each employer. Employers receive an initial neurodiversity training and ongoing support from our expert Career Coaches throughout the internship placement.  Learn more about becoming an Employer Partner with Aspire.

Internship Program Application Process:  

Applicants submit the following:

  • Online Apllication Form
  • Current resume
  • Optional documentation: Cover letter, 3 letters of recommendation, references

Interview Process: 

  • An Aspire Career Coach will schedule an interview to meet the applicant and better understand their skills, strengths, areas of need, and goals.
  • Aspire will begin the matching process by communicating with our Employer Partners.

Matching Process: 

  • Aspire will match each participant with a job site based on their availability, location and transportation options, interests, skills, goals, and needs.
  • When matched, participants have the option to:
    • Accept or decline position
    • If declined, Aspire will seek a second appropriate match
    • If there is no appropriate match, applicant has the option to defer participation to the next internship session.

Internship Placement: 

  • Aspire Career Coach provides interview and onboarding support
  • Intern begins work placement, career coaching and group seminar.


For more information on the Aspire Works Internship Program, read our Frequently Asked Questions, or reach out to us at 781-860-1900 or mghaspire@partners.org.

 

Employer Services

Learn more about Aspire's Corporate Consultation Services here, or submit our online Consultation Services Inquiry form and one of our staff members will reach out to you by phone to discuss in detail.