Get Experience - Internships, Externships, and Apprenticeships - Walrath Recruiting, Inc.

Get Experience - Internships, Externships, and Apprenticeships - Walrath Recruiting, Inc. Are you trying to enter or re-enter the job market?   Not exactly sure how to begin your search, apply, and get hired when you are lacking the experience needed to get on the right career path? You are not alone. For many people, lack of experience (most often for recent college graduates) makes  it difficult to find employment in the field they desire. So how do you go about getting the experience you need? A few Options to Consider Internships, Externships or Apprenticeships Internships: One of the most common ways for inexperienced, entry-level job seekers to gain necessary work experience is by acquiring an internship. Interning during your college career or even in high school can help you gain relevant, hands-on experience in your field. What many people do not consider is utilizing internships after college. For those of us that have already graduated, internships are still an option. If you are thinking of changing your career, try interning at a company within your new field of interest. You may be surprised to know that many internships are paid (and some pay really well). This can help you gain experience in the field you want while still maintaining financial responsibilities and giving you time to properly prepare for a career change. There is always a chance that the “work experience” you gain from an internship may not be applicable to the job you want.   You may end up with something to add under work history on your resume, but not necessarily come away from the experience with the skills required to do the job you want. On the other side of the spectrum, there is the potential of being offered a job at the end of an internship. Externships: Externships are generally short-term (lasting from a few days to a few months) “practical experiences” within a field of study. They are often less hands-on than an internship would be, but involve shadowing and observation of everyday work processes within the field. These opportunities are valuable for students or recent grads as they explore the different careers in their field. Externships also provide the possibility of recruitment and are a great way to expand your network. Apprenticeships: You might not think of this option at all unless you were planning on working a blue collar or trade job; however, apprenticeships are becoming more common in a variety of professions and can offer more extensive experience due to their extended timelines. Apprenticeships will often last for a year or more, much longer than an externship, and longer than most internships as well. Like internships, the apprenticeship is paid, but in many cases the apprenticeship will result in some sort of an industry certification. If you are lucky enough to obtain an apprenticeship, it is more than likely you will have the opportunity to continue working with that employer at the end of it. Internships, externships and apprenticeships are all valuable experiences that could help you land your next job. Explore these options to really make yourself a viable candidate for your future endeavors. There are some really great resources out there for aspiring interns and apprentices. Visit your campus career center, career coaches, or websites like: Lauren Berger’s Intern Queen Blog http://www.internqueen.com/blog InternMatch https://www.internmatch.com/blog/ Department of Labor http://www.doleta.gov/oa/ About Careers http://internships.about.com/od/internships101/a/whatisjobshadowing.htm Job Shadow http://www.jobshadow.com/ By: Renee Walrath