As a Hispanic-raised millennial, I practically ingrained in my brain as a child that going to college after high school was Only opportunity to advance in life. Everything else was condemned.
Well, guess what?
Turns out my parents were wrongsorry mom!). College is not the only way forward. There are many ways to succeed after high school, and apprenticeship is one of them.
An internship combines the best of both worlds: education + relevant work experience and a good salary at the end of the day.
In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about this alternative path to higher education. This includes all the pros, cons, and answers to the big debate about whether you should go to college or keep applying for an apprenticeship instead.
What is apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are a long-lost relative of co-ops, work-study programs and internships that are rarely talked about in the US but are actually quite popular around the world.
Actually, Andrea Messing-Matheydirector at Work for the futureThe Center for Apprenticeship and Workplace Learning says that over 50% of students in Europe are enrolled in some kind of apprenticeship program.
“It’s just the standard. It’s a perfectly normal way to do it, because the theory is that you learn better by doing and learning, rather than just learning and then working.”
As an apprentice, you will receive an employment contract just like any other job.
The difference, however, is that you are not considered fully professional as you are paid to learn on the job.
Who are they suitable for?
An apprenticeship is mainly for those who want to learn a trade or skill in a particular industry.
In terms of what is required of you to apply, it varies considerably from one program to another, although most of them require you to be at least 16 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED.
More: 25 highly paid professions that do not require higher education
For example, this job is an entry-level software developer in HCL technologies in North Carolina does not require you to have any previous work experience in technology or related fields. You just need to meet the criteria listed below:
Bye it’s an apprenticeship of an automotive technician in Caliber Collision North Carolina has completely different requirements, as you can see below:
You can learn more about the various apprenticeship opportunities by visiting Apprenticeship.govor at your local American Job Center.
7 reasons to become a student
Undergoing an apprenticeship has a number of major benefits that will make the experience 100% worth it. Here are some of them.
You will gain career advancement skills and have an edge over recent college graduates.
Matt Devereauxsuccessful learning coordinator Western Michigan works!says most college students work part-time jobs that rarely allow them to gain any career-critical skills during their studies.
“Apprenticeship starts with a living wage. You are an employee and you learn on the job as well as learn in the classroom. So not only do you earn enough money to survive, but you also get the kind of experience that most people have to wait until they graduate with their degree.”
In other words, you’ll have something good to add to your resume that will increase your chances of getting a better job than someone fresh out of college with no relevant work experience.
You will earn a living wage
Although Devereux mentions that apprenticeships start at a “living wage”, the reality is that many of them pay above the average salary.
According to Apprenticeship.govThe 92% of students who graduate from their program not only keep their jobs, but also earn an average annual salary of $72,000, which is pretty damn good.
To give you some context, the average person with a high school diploma only makes about $40,612 a year. latest data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics – this is almost 56% of the difference (if you are interested).
You save on tuition fees
Messing-Mathey from Working for the Future says:
“The average cost of tuition for a student living on the campus of a public four-year institution is approximately $25,000 per year, or over $100,000 over four years.”
While some apprenticeship programs require you to enroll in a class in order to apply, the cost is usually minimal compared to earning a full college degree.
“In some cases, employers pay for your training,” Messing-Mathey says. “But no matter what, they always have to pay the employee’s salary,” she adds.
This way, even if you have to pay for one or two lessons out of your own pocket, you can recoup some of that money when you get paid.
More: Is your student loan debt worth it?
You can “try before you buy”
I’ve mentioned this before in other articles, but when I applied to college, I was torn between biology and chemistry.
I ended up choosing Chemistry because I thought there was more money to be made there, but then I switched back to my sophomore year and got an English degree instead.
This, my friends, cost me lots of time and money. I had to take extra classes and lost some of my previous credits just because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.
However, an apprenticeship allows you to explore different career options before you commit to a four-year program.
Access to benefits
As if getting a good salary to train and gain work experience wasn’t enough, most employers also include a benefit package as part of their apprenticeship contract.
If you do a quick search on Apprenticeship.gov, you will see that many companies offer the following to apprentices:
- Medical insurance.
- Access to 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plans.
- Paid holiday.
Some companies also offer their students free work equipment and materials, as well as discounts at amusement parks and other places.
More: New job? How to register for the benefits you need (and which ones to skip)
You will receive a globally recognized certificate
Training lasts from six months to a year, depending on the program.
However, if you are enrolled in an apprenticeship program (aka the one approved by the US Department of Labor), you will receive a certificate if you complete the program with honors.
You can include this certification as part of your CV, which in turn will increase your career mobility in the industry in which you “specialized”.
Why?
Because it serves as proof that you have the skills necessary to successfully complete a job in that particular area.
You could earn college credit
Along with a nationally recognized certificate, you can also earn college credit upon successful completion of an apprenticeship program.
For example, Walgreens currently offers pharmacist internship this can give you eight college credits upon completion. Offered loans are recognized American Council on Education (ACE)which means they can be easily transferred to most technical colleges and universities across the country.
So, if you are interested in a two- or four-year degree, getting an apprenticeship can also cut down on the number of classes you will need to take and allow you to complete your degree faster.
Should you go to college or do an apprenticeship?
Messing-Mathey of Working for the Future says the notion that college is the only path to success after high school is nothing but a myth. She said:
“College is an extremely expensive career-finding activity, both emotionally and financially. Giving young people the opportunity to try, explore and prepare for careers through apprenticeship opens their horizons, not narrows them.”
However, Messing-Mathey says apprenticeships and college are not mutually exclusive as there are many students who go on to earn a four-year degree after completing the program. She says some employers even encourage it by offering to pay some or all of your education costs.
In other words, you don’t have to choose between going to college or being an apprentice. You can do both — if you’re up for the challenge, of course.
Issues to Consider
You’ll have to juggle a little
“One of the most common problems is that it’s too much,” says Devereux of West Michigan Works!.
“You start a career and learn along the way. It’s a lot to balance, so time management is important and it can be a challenge for some, but we see a lot of people succeed.”
Internships can be difficult to get
Another hurdle you will have to overcome is the learning itself.
Messing-Mathey of Jobs for the Future notes that apprenticeships, especially in healthcare and technology, are extremely difficult to obtain.
The reason for this is that there are not as many opportunities as there is demand, so competition can be fierce.
If you want your application to stand out, Messing-Mathey recommends attending high school courses or joining clubs that are somehow related to the study you are interested in, as this will give you more opportunities.
They are limited to certain industries
According to Apprenticeship.govthese are the main industries currently offering apprenticeship programs in the country:
- Information Technology.
- Healthcare.
- Hospitality.
- Cybersecurity.
- Construction.
- Energy.
- Advanced manufacturing.
- Engineering.
- Transport.
- Financial services.
So, if you’re interested in learning a profession or skill in an industry that isn’t listed above, you’ll probably need to look for other study options.
Summary
Just because an apprenticeship isn’t something most people do straight out of high school doesn’t mean it’s bad or less than a college degree.
In fact, taking an apprenticeship can give you an edge over your peers as you gain work experience, earn a decent salary, plus you can get your degree paid for by your employer and graduate without debt.
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