"I hope I can get a job here:" Project SEARCH gives those with disabilities real-world work experience

“I hope I can get a job here:” Project SEARCH gives those with disabilities real-world work experience

MILWAUKEE -- Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin will soon say goodbye to some special interns that are about to finish a nine-month program. They say it was the opportunity of a lifetime.

There is a lot happening at Froedtert's "Central Inpatient Pharmacy."

Froedtert's "Central Inpatient Pharmacy

"We`ve got about 4,000 different drugs, 500 patients and close to 20-25 medications per patient," Noah Franz, operations manager with Froedtert's Inpatient Pharmacy said.

It takes roughly 50 people in order for operations at the pharmacy to run smoothly, but recently, reinforcements were brought in. 23-year-old Viktor Kreider is one of them.

Viktor Kreider

"I help them get the job done," Kreider said.

Kreider is one of eight interns working at Froedtert -- coming to the pharmacy through Project SEARCH. It is a business-led internship program meant to help young people who have disabilities.

"I learned to be professional and accurate and helped me prepare me for a job," Kreider said.

The goal is to help these interns find jobs.

Viktor Kreider

"I hope I can get a job here at the hospital," Kreider said.

Kreider went through a nine-month vocational training program involving classroom and practical, hands-on work.

"I am a quick learner," Kreider said.

"People who have disabilities are able to contribute to their communities just like everyone else is -- and so putting them in the hospital where they train to the same standards that Froedtert employees train allows them to be contributing members of society," Laura Ehr, career specialist with Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin said.

His internship will end soon, but Kreider hopes he'll be back.

"I hope I can get a job here at the hospital," Kreider said.

The interns have the opportunity to apply for a job at Froedtert.

Project SEARCH Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin has an 80% success rate when it comes to placing their interns.

Froedtert's "completion ceremony" is scheduled for June 30th. That's when the interns will find out whether they'll be hired as permanent employees.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Project SEARCH or to apply for a summer internship.