Surrounded by a circle of eager preschoolers, “Miss Olivia” Postman reads Clifford the Big Red Dog during story time in a classroom at Regina Early Childhood Center. A year ago, she was an intern; today, she’s a paraeducator with the team that trained her.
Postman is an alumna of the University of Iowa’s Realizing Educational and Career Hopes (UI REACH) program, and her journey from intern to employee reflects one of UI REACH's central goals: preparing students for rewarding careers. She was one of 14 UI REACH students to graduate this past May.
Housed in the College of Education, UI REACH prepares students with intellectual, cognitive, and learning disabilities for life after graduation through academics, career development, campus involvement and individualized support.
Beginning in their second year, students complete campus and community internships in volunteer or paid positions, gaining hands-on experience aligned with their career interests. During the 2025-26 academic year, the UI REACH Career Team coordinated 49 primary internship placements, with approximately 60 to 70 percent resulting in paid employment at wages well above minimum wage.
Early childhood education and paraeducator certification continue to be among the program's most popular career pathways, and this year a UI REACH student completed coaching certification for the first time.
Postman had always enjoyed working with children — she began working at Little Angels Learning Center and Preschool as a teenager — but she wasn't sure what career she wanted to pursue. Once she learned about the paraeducator licensure program in the College of Education, she finally felt her spark.
Two years later, Postman became one of the first two REACH students to earn a paraeducator certificate. She credits the program with helping her confidently transition into the workforce.
"They prepared me really well," she says. "I feel like they're there for me, and they support me. If I need help, I can just go to them."
Postman's experience reflects UI REACH's commitment to connecting students with meaningful employment. Longtime partners such as Little Angels Learning Center and Regina Early Childhood Center provide internships that often lead directly to jobs.
The program also collaborates with ACT through WorkKeys research and curriculum development while participating in Johnson County's Work Ready Communities initiative to strengthen connections between local employers and qualified graduates. As part of that partnership, UI REACH is launching the first undergraduate WorkKeys course in Fall 2026 to help students build workforce readiness skills and prepare for the National Career Readiness Certificate.
To further expand career opportunities, UI REACH launched a new initiative this year providing students with unpaid internship placements with a $500 trainee stipend after completing internship requirements. The program also piloted a "Job Try Out" model that allows students to specialize their coursework and internship experiences around specific career interests. Both initiatives will continue in Fall 2026.
"Olivia stood out because of her positive attitude, eagerness to learn, and genuine passion for working with children," says Kimberlee Klein, director of Regina Early Childhood Center. "She demonstrated professionalism, kindness, and a strong desire to contribute to our school community."
Since joining the staff, Klein has watched Postman become increasingly confident and independent while building meaningful relationships with students and coworkers. "She has become an important part of our team," Klein says. "The children look forward to seeing her each day."
The program's long-term outcomes reflect stories like Postman's. More than 96% of UI REACH alumni worked for pay in the past year, with a median hourly wage of $15. Nearly half work full time, and alumni report a median job tenure of five years, demonstrating the lasting impact of career preparation through UI REACH.
Now working in the same classroom where she once interned, Postman hopes her experience encourages future UI REACH students.
"Don't be scared for the future," she says. "If you need help, there are people there to support you."
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UI REACH Alumni Fast Facts
97% worked for pay in the past year
Nearly 50% work full time
51% reported working more than 5 years at their job