Pre-Employment Transition Services week | National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Program Description

The Pre-Employment Transition Services week provides opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing college-bound students from different states to gain experience and explore their career interests in STEM fields. These programs are available to all eligible deaf and hard-of-hearing high school students with approval and paid for by their state Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Each summer, we partner with organizations from various states around the country to provide a number of programs supported by NTID. See each section below for the type of programs we offer and the states these programs are available in.

Tiger Lab

Tiger Lab provides qualified deaf and hard-of-hearing, college-bound high school students with opportunities to explore STEM career pathways through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Offered in select states, this one-week summer program helps students build technical skills while discovering how their interests connect to future academic and career goals.

During Tiger Lab, students may:

Build technical and problem-solving skills through coding, engineering, and technology activities

Explore science through hands-on lab experiments

Participate in real-world design and engineering challenges

Engage in additional STEM projects as opportunities arise

Students work closely with program staff, faculty, and career counselors to:

Identify their unique STEM interests
Apply strengths in real-world contexts
Build confidence, leadership, and independence
Connect STEM interests to future education and career plans

Tiger Lab is available in the following states:

California

Illinois

Kickstart Your Future

Kickstart Your Future (KYF) prepares qualified deaf and hard-of-hearing high school students for the transition to adulthood by helping them explore career paths, develop practical life skills, and build confidence. This one-week summer program is offered in select states and focuses on career readiness, self-advocacy, and independent living skills.

During Kickstart Your Future, students may:

Learn budgeting, financial responsibility, and independent living skills

Practice mock interviews and strengthen workplace readiness

Explore a variety of career paths and industries

Set personal goals and create a roadmap for the future