Internships vs Apprenticeships: Difference and Perspectives

 

If you decide to get rest this summer, have fun and enjoy it fully! We are not jealous at all (we are, of course) and strongly support this idea. However, autumn will come sooner than you think, so why not consider new career opportunities beforehand? While looking for opportunities to learn from professionals or obtain skills, have a look at internships and apprenticeships.

These opportunities are the closest to real working processes. They give you a clear understanding of how the chosen industry is functioning. Although both internships and apprenticeships are work-based, the first is more about learning while the second focuses on training. 

What are internships all about?

Internships are aimed at providing students or young specialists with the first general work experience. They usually don’t have a clear-cut structure. Intern’s tasks mostly require providing a well-run workflow within a company. Their area of responsibility is quite broad, as they fill paperwork, perform errands, prepare speeches, documents, or assist at organizing events. Sad but true that sometimes these tasks have nothing to do with your initial education.

On the other hand, interns develop multitasking skills and learn how to prioritize their work. This experience doesn’t always presume a full-scale mentorship when an appointed person is walking you through the whole workflow. Interns have to learn many things by themselves. 

There is no shared sense of how long internships should last and if they have to be paid. As a common practice, interns fulfil their tasks for a relatively short time, for example, one semester or during summer vacations.

However, there are exceptions. Interns may be appointed to long-term projects where staff turnover is not welcome. If this experience presumes further employment, the chances to get paid are also higher. More companies recognize the value of encouraging their interns financially and consider them to become their future employees. 

What are apprenticeships all about?

Apprenticeships are the opposite. They focus on training while studying is just accompanying the process. There is a well-defined list of things practitioners have to learn. They always get paid while achieving these measurable competencies. However, the process itself can take years and requires a full-time commitment. In this sense, apprenticeships are very rewarding because they assume further employment.  Such on-the-job training allows you to get specific skills in the industry you chose.

Apprentices are under the guidance of designated professionals whose task is to walk people through the whole workflow. Since we are talking about in-depth training, practitioners completing it are likely to obtain a position with similar tasks within a company. They can take their duties immediately.

Apprentices also receive certifications approving their substantial knowledge. These documents allow them to work in the industry independently. However, apprenticeship is an investment done by the company to grow loyal specialists. They have to be well-familiar with its activity, workflow, and processes. 

girl explaining something to her friends

Main differences between internships and apprenticeships

Another fundamental difference between internships and apprenticeships lies in their correlation with formal education. For instance, summer internships can be a part of the studying process. They are often offered to college students or even high school graduates who are about to choose their career path. Interns gain an opportunity to learn more about the spheres they are interested in. However, this experience constitutes a part of the studying process.

On the other hand, apprenticeships sometimes last as long as the whole bachelor’s programme. On-the-job training serves as an alternative to higher education. The studying process requires one or several internship programs. The apprenticeship may require taking some academic courses. As we see, the latter demands more confidence about the chosen career goals. The whole learning process is aimed at getting certain skills in certain industries and even in specific companies. Therefore, think twice.

Internship opportunities are more common in marketing, sales, communication technologies, law, art, etc. Skilled trades are welcoming apprenticeships. There is a wide range of options, starting from welding, plumbing, or carpentering to civil engineering, healthcare, and computer science. 

What is more popular?

Internships and apprenticeships pursue different purposes. Undoubtedly, the first type is much more popular, especially in the United States. Experts attribute this phenomenon to the lack of awareness about career opportunities provided by apprenticeships. Young people don’t find them attractive and know little to nothing about the learning process and its benefits. Another crucial factor is the general idea that an academic degree guarantees professional success and middle-class income.

Although some of these problems are relatively easy to solve, economic factors are more reluctant. Nowadays, workers possess much more mobility and resources to find a well-paid job. They are less interested in training aimed at performing a finite list of tasks. Transferable skills and flexibility are a new must in the employment world. If a trade is under the threat of becoming obsolete, what is the purpose of learning it?

Internships and apprenticeships are different ways to achieve a common goal – upgrade your competencies and broaden your career horizons. First of all, it’s good to define what spheres interest you the most. The next step is to consider training and learning programs that help you to succeed.

Published on: 28 July 2021