Discover an Apprenticeship That's Right for You

Consider an apprenticeship for paid, on-the-job training in a field that interests you.

Apprenticeships have been around since the Middle Ages, training individuals in a specific skill set and setting them up to have successful careers in the trades. They are as common today as they were hundreds of years ago – but today's apprenticeships are a bit more formal.

Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training and experience with classroom instruction to help you learn all there is to know about your future career.

Unlike many internships, apprenticeships are paid positions, so you are treated like an employee. Most apprenticeships last two to four years, depending on the program, and the majority require at least a high school diploma.

If you're interested in hands-on training that will lead you to a career in the trades, an apprenticeship may be just the ticket for you. We'll tell you about a handful of apprenticeships that are out there, but we suggest you dig for more in the specific field you are interested in – there are thousands available in the United States alone.

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The Illinois Department of Employment Security offers several great apprenticeships if you don't mind rolling up your sleeves. You have the opportunity to become a bricklayer, a cement mason, a heat and frost insulator, a plumber and more!

Most of these apprenticeships take three to five years to complete and are a total of 144 hours of classroom instruction and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training.

Down south, Louisiana offers a different approach to finding an apprenticeship on its website. Simply choose the area of the state in which you wish to work and select any of the 62 programs that interests you.

The website then shows you if there are any available apprenticeships in that area at that time. If you don't find what you are looking for in your destination right away, continue to check back; the apprenticeship listings are updated every few weeks.

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The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development offers apprenticeships specific to service trade, meaning personal service workers and public safety trades. Apprenticeships in the service sector often involve applying directly to the company, which means eligibility requirements for each employer may be slightly different. Service trade apprenticeships include positions like child care development specialist, cosmetologist, firefighter, chef and electric line worker.

If you'd like a little more variety when choosing an apprenticeship, you may want to look into the California Apprenticeship Coordinators Association. CalApprenticeships.org offers more than 30 programs such as automotive, culinary and pastry, electrician, ironworking and painting.

Each apprenticeship program provides contact information, so applying is personable and simple. Additionally, the website describes the qualifications, benefits and duration of each program to give you a better idea of the apprenticeship.

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If you didn't see an apprenticeship that fits what you are looking for, don't panic! Visit the U.S. Department of Labor's website to find an apprenticeship that could be your perfect match. The website offers links to other sites with apprenticeship opportunities based on state, which makes it simple to find an apprenticeship close to home.

Searching for the right apprenticeship can be overwhelming, but don't give up. When searching, use the Internet in every way possible; most apprenticeship-related websites have a Q-and-A page and are fairly easy to navigate.

Do not be afraid to exercise your connections and reach out to people. Talk to family and friends to see if they know of anyone who has had an apprenticeship; people love to share their experiences and give advice. Apprenticeships are one of the best ways to get your foot in the door and receive valuable real-world experience.

Meghann Rand interned at Scholarship America in 2013. She attends the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities School of Journalism and Mass Communication, where she is majoring in advertising and public relations.

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Discover Scholarships That Celebrate America

Students interested in studying political science, American history or government should target specialized scholarship programs.

As a kid, I spent the Fourth of July taking part in the holiday festivities of my mom's small Minnesota hometown. I'd watch the local parade, spend the afternoon filling up on hamburgers, hot dogs and watermelon and finish out the day by watching what I'd thought was the most amazing fireworks display.

As an adult, Independence Day transcends my childhood traditions of parades, barbecues and fireworks. If it does for you, too, you should look closely at scholarship opportunities focused on American studies.

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If you want to share your thoughts about what makes America's future bright, consider the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Voice of Democracy audio essay competition. The national first-place winner of this scholarship receives $30,000 to apply towards a college education. The second-place winner receives a $16,000 award.

Last year, this program awarded 54 students a total of $152,000 in scholarships, with awards starting at $1,000. This year's theme is "Why I'm Optimistic About Our Nation's Future." Applicants must submit both a typed essay and a CD recording of themselves reading the essay along with an entry form to their local VFW post by Nov. 1.

The Daughters of the American Revolution hosts a number of scholarship awards for students interested in studying political science, history and government. Graduating high school students planning to pursue an undergraduate degree with a concentration in American history or American government are eligible for the Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship. The scholarship includes a $2,000 annual award, which is renewable for up to four years, subject to an annual review of the recipient's transcript.

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College juniors and seniors majoring in political science, history or government can apply for the $1,000, one-time Enid Hall Griswold Memorial Scholarship. Graduate students in the field of historic preservation can apply for a $2,000 DAR Centennial Scholarship.

The Joe Foss Institute organizes essay and video scholarship contests centered on patriotic themes. The topics change annually and in the past have included, "Is my country proud of me?" and "My right to vote." Past scholarship awards have ranged from $1,000 to $5,000.

The scholarship deadlines vary, so check their website or follow them on social media for information updates.

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The Institute is also offering a special scholarship program for Oklahoma students who were impacted by the May 2013 tornadoes and who intend to study at Oklahoma State University. Entrants must submit essays on the theme "Rebuilding Together – How I am working to help my community." At stake are two $5,000 awards. The deadline for this scholarship application is July 21.

Students considering a graduate degree in public policy, public administration or international affairs should look at the Public Policy and International Affairs Program's Fellowship Program.

This national program helps students achieve a master's degree or joint degree through intensive study in a PPIA Junior Summer Institute, partnerships with universities across the country – which waive application fees and offer admitted students a minimum one-time financial award of $5,000 – and an alumni network that provides connections with nearly 4,000 individuals in related fields. According to the website, the application for the 2014 cohort will be available in late 2013.

Janine Fugate, the recipient of numerous scholarships at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, holds a bachelor's degree from the College of Saint Benedict, Saint Joseph, Minn., and a Master of Public Affairs from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities. Fugate joined Scholarship America in 2002.

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