Apprenticeships & Internships

Entering directly into the workforce after high school is an increasingly popular option for young adults. And thankfully, there’s an increasing demand for young adults on this trajectory, driven by factors such as an aging workforce and the reduction of experienced laborers to meet increasing infrastructure needs.

For teens considering this path, an apprenticeship or an internship may be a great starting point on their journey.

Both apprenticeships and internships can be used to secure future work, but apprenticeships are used to gain experience/certification in a general occupation, while internships are designed to lead to a job at a specific company (though general skill-building is certainly still part of it).

Apprenticeships and internships are primarily available to high school graduates, but some high school juniors or seniors with the right skills and resume may be able to secure one or the other.

Let’s explore each of these options and how you can choose which is right for your teen.

Apprenticeships

It may be surprising to learn that apprenticeship is not of a bygone era but is in fact a modern-day option for students looking to gain valuable skills and work experience by studying under the tutelage of a master craftsman.

Apprenticeships exist in many sectors, such as construction, education, manufacturing, hospitality, tech and IT, trade skills, business, public service, and healthcare. And there are federal initiatives to keep the expansion and modernization of apprenticeships going.

Benefits to apprenticeship

• Earning money while also gaining important work experience
• Avoiding or reducing the costs of continued education in the pursuit of a career
• Learning practical, job-specific skills from experienced mentors, boosting confidence and know-how
• In most cases, eligibility for a nationally recognized credential upon completion, and often, a guaranteed job
• Ability to link learning to practice, creating a comprehensive training opportunity for students
• For teens who are still in high school, the chance to add apprenticeship to their extracurricular activities and/or transcript

Types of apprenticeship

There are different types of apprenticeship programs that vary based on scope, duration, and target age. All apprentices will master a skilled trade and have a credential in their field by the end of their apprenticeship.

How to get an apprenticeship

Websites such as ApprenticeshipUSA have all three types of apprenticeships and information on how to apply.

Check your state’s Department of Education or Department of Labor website for information about how these programs are administered in your area. They will likely have a list of programs as well as application info.

Don’t overlook independent, informal apprenticeships through personal connections. It’s estimated that more than half of all occupations offer informal apprenticeships. Many are gained through personal contacts or canvassing.

Ask family members and friends and even local business owners if they would be willing to mentor your student through an informal apprenticeship. This may not immediately lead to a credential, but they will offer valuable on-the-job training that can be listed on a resume, giving your student an advantage when seeking formal training or employment.

HSLDA members can find a sample apprenticeship/internship proposal letter at the bottom of this article for a helpful place to start!

Internships

Internships are another pathway to your teen’s career. Unlike apprenticeships, which usually require a long-term commitment from student and employer, an internship is a short-term, temporary path to career exploration within the context of a specific company.

Internships can offer general work experience related to a student’s field of study or career interest. They are not limited to college students: motivated high school juniors and seniors can get internships, as well as high school graduates who are not pursuing higher education. Some companies prioritize skills and experience over a degree for certain roles!

Internships may be paid or unpaid. Unpaid internships tend to be more common, since interns gain resume-building work experience and a chance at future employment with the company.

Benefits of an internship

Through internships, students can:

• Get a preview of the kind of work they might do in a particular company or career path without a long-term commitment of time or financial resources
• Gain skill that can be used in a job role
• Demonstrate qualities that may result in an offer of full-time employment from the host company
• Put academic knowledge to the test and build valuable perspective
• Develop a strong work ethic
• Learn how to balance the demands of work and life while young
• Build their resume with tangible job experiences and potential letters of reference

How to get an internship

If your student has a specific career in mind, have them research related businesses in your area.

Companies will list internship openings that your teen can apply to, but your teen can also submit an internship proposal letter to a company asking if they would be willing to create an internship. Depending on your teen’s circumstances, they could offer to start an unpaid or short-term arrangement, which could make a business more likely to agree to an internship proposal. HSLDA members can find a Sample Proposal Letter below.

Alternatively, your teen could look online at job boards such as Glassdoor, StandOut Search, LinkedIn, Indeed, Handshake, and Joblist for internships.

Help your teen write a resume with either a cover letter or proposal letter, depending on whether they are applying to a formal internship opening or proposing an internship. HSLDA members can get a sample below.