Explore This Program

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. 

Internship Program Application Process:  

Applicants submit the following:

  • Online Application 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.

 

Internship Scholarship 

Aspire is thrilled to announce a new scholarship opportunity for applicants to the Aspire Works Internship Program. Each year, twenty scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded to eligible Aspire internship candidates.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must demonstrate they have attended or are a graduate of one of the following institutions:
  • Bunker Hill Community College
  • Urban College of Boston
  • Massasoit Community College
  • Framingham State University
  • Middlesex Community College
  • Salem State University
  • North Shore Community College
  • Westfield State University
  • Roxbury Community College
  • Worcester State University
Learn more about our scholarship opportunity here.

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. To read our Employer Partner frequently asked questions, follow this link.


Employer Partner Program Benefits- Aspire’s internship program offers flexible, 10-week placements across fall, spring, and summer cycles, with interns working 5–40 hours per week based on employer needs. Internships can be in person, hybrid, or remote, and candidates are accepted on a rolling basis. Aspire supports employers by editing job descriptions to be neurodiversity-affirming, sharing qualified resumes, and carefully matching interns based on skills and organizational fit. Comprehensive support includes interview prep, onboarding guidance, weekly manager consultations, and transition planning. Employers also have access to Aspire’s quarterly employee resource group and “Neurodiversity in the Workplace” training to promote workplace belonging.

Intern Program Benefits - Aspire’s internship program supports adults 18+ on the autism spectrum with an Asperger profile or related social cognitive profile who are motivated to work independently and build technical and professional skills. Participants are assessed for interests, strengths, and fit, and receive personalized support including resume development, interview prep, onboarding assistance, and HR guidance. Weekly one-to-one consultations and didactic seminars help interns grow throughout the 10-week experience. Aspire also offers a robust transition planning process, end-of-program evaluations, and access to an exclusive continuing education video library. Families are supported through optional transition meetings and a dedicated caregiver support group.

Download our brochure: Become an Employer Partner with Aspire.

Testimonials

WGBH
Manager, MLA Digital Assets and Operations
“Working with Aspire has helped us expand our institutional culture and challenge ourselves to grow along with our amazing interns. It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience and helped us build an environment where people of varied working styles can thrive. We’re excited to continue our partnership!”

Copart
General Manager, Copart, Billerica
“Working with Aspire and their interns is a truly remarkable experience! Being able to provide on the job training for interns and seeing them grow is extremely valuable to the interns as well as our staff. We enjoy the opportunity to be a part of this program and encourage other to do the same.”

Biogen
University Programs Experience Lead
"The MGH Aspire team has been instrumental in helping me achieve my organizational goals. Their expertise with neurodivergent students has empowered my hires to thrive, and their thoughtful presentations have helped reduce stigma year after year. With their support, I believe we can build a more inclusive workforce. Jack and the team are outstanding."