Internships, Apprenticeships and Mentors

When planning for your future and considering job or continuing education choices, internships, apprenticeships, and mentors can all be helpful in finding the path that is best for you. Internships and apprenticeships can help you explore your work interests and increase your abilities. A mentor is someone who can inspire you, advocate for you, and be a resource in achieving your goals.

Internships offer you the opportunity for a short-term training experience in the type of job that interests you. There are paid and unpaid internships. You are not usually paid with student internships, and you might not get academic credit, but the experience helps build your resume.

Internships help you learn the tasks of the job as well as what it is like to work at that business. You should expect to be evaluated regularly. Your school and your local American Job Center can help you locate internship opportunities.

Apprenticeships include education and training that can help you prepare for a variety of jobs. These programs are designed to provide you with opportunities to learn skills that might lead to full-time, regular employment. Apprenticeship programs have eligibility requirements, qualifications and selection procedures.

Your school and your local American Job Center can help you locate internship opportunities.

A mentor is an adult who spends time with you and offers support, advice and friendship. Mentors can offer you new opportunities and teach you about different jobs. They can help you learn and practice the skills needed to be successful in life.

Disability Mentoring Day is an annual event that promotes career development for students and job seekers with disabilities. The experience provides job shadowing and hands-on career exploration with local businesses.

After your internship or with the help of mentor, consider getting a summer job or part-time work after school to gain valuable work experience. These types of jobs help you develop basic work-readiness skills and attitudes that employers say are important. Your school and your local American Job Center can help you locate internship opportunities.