01/23/2026
Aidan Adamenko joined SMUD as a paid intern through the Paid Internship Program (PIP) six months ago. After starting in another department, he recently transitioned to the IT team, where he dismantles laptops, removing batteries and hard drives so that confidential information is protected.
The Paid Internship Program (PIP) is a program from the Department of Developmental Services designed to provide individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities for valuable work experience in competitive, integrated environments. Through the PIP, participants like Aidan work in paid roles that help develop professional skills.
Aidan is supported by his job coach from InAlliance, Edwin Badua, who meets with him once a week to provide whatever support Aidan might need to be successful. When asked about the type of support he receives, Aidan specifically remembered Edwin's advice on the importance of being social. While learning technical skills is valuable, Edwin encouraged him to also focus on building interpersonal connections, emphasizing that communicating with others and forming relationships are just as important for growth and success in the workplace.
The collaboration between InAlliance and SMUD helps make this Paid Internship Program succeed. InAlliance job coaches, like Edwin, check in with SMUD management to see if any issues need to be addressed. Arlene Chacon, a key member of SMUD's Talent Acquisition team, has played a vital role in welcoming and supporting interns like Aidan as well. She shares, "Our relationship and partnership with InAlliance has been very transparent and very open...we talk about what's best for the individual, what's best for the agency, and we really try to balance that relationship. We've been doing a great job at doing that, and I really appreciate that InAlliance is very open to just understanding where SMUD stands, as well as SMUD understanding where InAlliance stands."